India’s National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recently released the Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India Report 2020. This report revealed some concerning trends about suicides in India and also provided an overview of accidental deaths.
Classification of Suicides
According to the NCRB, suicides can be divided into nine categories: daily wagers, housewives, people employed in the farming sector, professionals or salaried persons, students, self-employed individuals, retirees, and others. The practice of categorizing daily wage earners in the ‘Accidental Deaths & Suicides’ data began in 2014.
Suicide Statistics
The report noted a 10% increase in suicides from 2019, reaching an unprecedented peak of 1,53,052 in the pandemic-ridden year 2020. The percentage of daily wage earners who died by suicide doubled from 2014 to 2020, followed by housewives, self-employed individuals, farmers or cultivators, and retirees. Professionals or salaried individuals showed a rise in suicides, while unemployed individuals also saw an uptick in suicides, but their share only increased slightly from 2019. On a positive note, the number of deaths from accidents declined from 2019, recording the lowest since 2010.
Student Suicides
The proportion of students among those who commit suicide has been consistently increasing over the years, reaching its highest point since 1995.
Regional Analysis
In a state-wise analysis, Maharashtra recorded the most suicides, with 4,006 suicides in the agricultural sector alone, which included a 15% rise in farm worker suicides. Other states with high suicide numbers were Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
Causes of Suicides
The report identified poverty and unemployment as the leading causes of suicide, followed by drug abuse or alcohol addiction, illness, and family issues. While there was an increase in student suicides, it was likely linked to longer-term factors, such as inability to continue education, rather than short-term factors like exams.
Initiatives for Mental Health
In response to these alarming numbers, several initiatives have been undertaken. The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 aims to provide mental healthcare services for people with mental illnesses. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched KIRAN, a round-the-clock toll-free helpline designed to support individuals dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health issues. The Manodarpan Initiative, under the Ministry of Education, provides psychosocial support to students, family members, and teachers for their mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
About NCRB
The NCRB, established in 1986 under the Ministry of Home Affairs, serves as a database of information on crime and criminals, helping investigators connect crimes to the culprits. It was created following recommendations from the National Police Commission (1977-1981) and the MHA’s Task Force (1985). Each year, NCRB releases comprehensive statistics about crime across the country in its ‘Crime in India’ report, serving as a crucial tool for understanding the nation’s law and order situation. The launch of the 2nd CCTNS Hackathon and Cyber Challenge 2020-21 by the NCRB took place in New Delhi.
