The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released its annual 'Crime In India' report for 2024, highlighting a concerning increase in juvenile delinquency across the country. According to the report, a total of 34,878 cases were registered against juveniles in 2024, marking an 11.2% rise compared to the 31,365 cases recorded in 2023.
Key Statistics on Juvenile Apprehensions
In these 34,878 cases, law enforcement agencies apprehended 42,633 juveniles. Of these, 34,648 juveniles were taken into custody under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The data reveals that the majority of juveniles in conflict with law were between 16 and 18 years of age, accounting for 77.7% (33,129 out of 42,633) of all apprehensions.
Educational Background of Juveniles
The report also sheds light on the educational qualifications of apprehended juveniles. Out of the total, 2,857 were illiterate, while 8,989 had studied up to the primary level. A significant portion, 21,068 juveniles, had education levels ranging from primary to matriculation. Additionally, 8,301 juveniles had education above matriculation up to higher secondary.
Living Arrangements
Data on the living arrangements of these juveniles indicates that the majority were living with their parents. Specifically, 36,905 juveniles resided with their parents, while 3,516 lived with guardians. Alarmingly, 2,216 juveniles were homeless at the time of their apprehension.
The NCRB report underscores the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of juvenile crime, particularly among older adolescents and those from vulnerable backgrounds.
