Jaipur: Rajasthan has registered the highest number of rape cases in the country for the sixth consecutive year in 2024, according to the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) Crime in India 2024 report. The state recorded 4,871 rape cases, surpassing Uttar Pradesh (3,209), Maharashtra (3,091), and Madhya Pradesh (3,061). Although the figure has declined from 5,078 in 2023 and a peak of 6,337 in 2021, Rajasthan has remained at the top since 2019.
Historical Trends and Metropolitan Data
NCRB data reveals the annual rape case counts in Rajasthan: 5,997 in 2019, 5,310 in 2020, 6,337 in 2021, 5,399 in 2022, 5,078 in 2023, and 4,871 in 2024. Among metropolitan cities, Jaipur reported 497 rape cases in 2024, second only to Delhi, which recorded 1,058 cases.
Compulsory FIR Registration Policy
Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar Sharma attributed the high numbers to the state’s longstanding policy of compulsory First Information Report (FIR) registration. This policy ensures that all complaints are formally recorded, which may contribute to higher reported figures compared to states with less stringent registration practices.
Victim-Offender Relationship
The report highlights that in 4,795 out of 4,871 rape cases (98.4%), the accused were known to the victims. Among these, 453 cases involved family members, while 2,129 cases involved friends, online friends, live-in partners on the pretext of marriage, or separated husbands. Only 76 cases involved unknown or unidentified offenders.
Other Crimes Against Women
Rajasthan also recorded the highest number of cases under assault on women with intent to outrage modesty, with 8,276 cases. Additionally, the state registered 778 cases of attempt to commit rape, 1,381 cases of sexual harassment, and 38 cases of murder with rape or gang rape in 2024. Overall, Rajasthan recorded 36,563 cases of crimes against women in 2024, down from 45,450 in 2023 and 45,058 in 2022.
Interpretation of Crime Data
The NCRB noted that higher crime figures do not necessarily indicate policing failure and may reflect improved reporting systems such as e-FIRs, women help desks, and citizen-centric policing initiatives. Officials stated that investigation speed in crimes against women and children has improved. According to CCTNS data, the average investigation period for rape cases fell from 130 days in 2020 to 57 days in 2025.
Case Dispositions
The NCRB data also showed that among crimes against women, 12,217 cases were later found to be false, while 5,168 cases were closed as mistakes of fact, law, or civil disputes.
