Assam crime rate drops 28% in 2 years: NCRB 2024 report
Synopsis
Assam's crime cases have fallen nearly 28% over two years to 49,552 in 2024, with the state's crime rate at 137 per lakh — less than a third of the national average of 418. The charge-sheeting rate has also climbed past 67%, signalling deeper systemic improvements in policing and legal follow-through.
Key Takeaways
Assam recorded 49,552 criminal cases in 2024 , down from 64,959 in 2023 and 68,937 in 2022.
The overall decline amounts to nearly 28 per cent over two years, according to the NCRB "Crime in India 2024" report.
Assam's crime rate stands at 137 cases per lakh population , far below the national average of 418 cases per lakh .
The state's charge-sheeting rate improved to 67.1 per cent in 2024, up from below 50 per cent in earlier years.
Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah attributed the gains to modernised policing, improved surveillance, and stronger intelligence networks.
Assam Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Friday, 9 May 2025, said the state had recorded one of the sharpest declines in crime rates in the country, citing the latest "Crime in India 2024" report published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The data shows Assam registered 49,552 criminal cases in 2024, down sharply from 64,959 in 2023 and 68,937 in 2022 — an overall decline of nearly 28 per cent over two years.
Key Figures from the NCRB Report
According to the data shared by the minister, Assam's current crime rate stands at 137 cases per one lakh population — significantly below the national average of 418 cases per lakh population as reported by the NCRB. This places Assam among the better-performing states on public safety metrics, a notable shift for a state that has historically grappled with insurgency and security challenges.
The state's charge-sheeting rate also improved markedly, rising to 67.1 per cent in 2024 from below 50 per cent in earlier years. The minister attributed this to faster investigations, improved coordination among law enforcement agencies, and stronger legal follow-up mechanisms.
What the Government Said
Mallabaruah, sharing the details in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said the improvement reflected sustained governance initiatives, enhanced policing measures, and coordinated efforts by the state administration over the past few years. He stated that Assam — which had long struggled with insurgency, unrest, and security-related challenges — was gradually entering a new phase marked by peace, stability, and economic progress.
The minister also underscored the link between law and order and economic growth, noting that a stable security environment was essential for attracting investments and accelerating development across the state.
Policing Reforms Behind the Decline
Officials said the state government had in recent years intensified efforts to modernise policing infrastructure, improve surveillance systems, and strengthen intelligence networks. According to officials, the NCRB report reflected the changing security landscape in Assam and indicated improving public safety indicators across several districts.
They added that the government remained committed to further strengthening policing and maintaining peace to support the state's development agenda and investor confidence.
Broader Significance
This comes amid a wider push by the Assam government to reposition the state as an investment destination in Northeast India. Notably, a crime rate nearly three times lower than the national average — if sustained — could serve as a significant differentiator for the state in attracting both domestic and foreign investors. The next NCRB cycle will be closely watched to confirm whether the trend holds.
Point of View
If the NCRB methodology is consistent across states, places Assam in a genuinely different tier from the national average. However, crime rate comparisons across Indian states require caution — differences in FIR registration practices, police reporting cultures, and definitional inconsistencies can distort comparisons. The more telling indicator may be the charge-sheeting rate, which crossing 67% suggests real improvements in investigative capacity, not just reporting optics. The government's framing of law-and-order as an investment pitch is politically smart, but the durability of these gains in a state with complex ethnic and insurgency fault lines will only be tested over successive NCRB cycles.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the NCRB 2024 report say about crime in Assam?
The NCRB 'Crime in India 2024' report shows Assam recorded 49,552 criminal cases in 2024, down from 64,959 in 2023 and 68,937 in 2022 — a decline of nearly 28 per cent over two years. The state's crime rate of 137 cases per lakh population is significantly below the national average of 418.
What is Assam's crime rate compared to the national average?
Assam's crime rate stands at 137 cases per one lakh population, compared to the national average of 418 cases per lakh as reported by the NCRB. This means Assam's rate is nearly three times lower than the national figure.
What is the charge-sheeting rate in Assam and why does it matter?
Assam's charge-sheeting rate rose to 67.1 per cent in 2024, up from below 50 per cent in earlier years. A higher charge-sheeting rate indicates faster investigations and stronger legal follow-up, which are key markers of policing efficiency.
Who is Jayanta Mallabaruah and what did he say?
Jayanta Mallabaruah is an Assam government minister who shared the NCRB crime data in a post on X. He attributed the decline to sustained governance initiatives, modernised policing infrastructure, and improved surveillance and intelligence networks.
How does the crime decline affect Assam's investment prospects?
The minister said a stable law-and-order environment is essential for attracting investments and accelerating development. Assam has been positioning itself as an investment hub in Northeast India, and improved public safety indicators are expected to bolster investor confidence.
