NCRB Report Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India: 4.4 Lakh Accidental Deaths and 1.7 Lakh Road Fatalities in 2023
SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being | SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
Institutions: Ministry of Home Affairs | National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
The Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI) 2023 Report released by the NCRB recorded 4,44,104 accidental deaths in 2023, up from 4,30,504 in 2022. Road traffic accidents dominated the profile, with 4.64 lakh cases and 1.74 lakh deaths. Over-speeding accounted for 61.4% of traffic fatalities, followed by dangerous driving or overtaking (23.7%). Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu reported the highest traffic accident deaths.
The report also highlighted a rise in sudden deaths due to cardiac and cerebral causes, with heart attack-related fatalities rising 10% to 35,715 deaths. Natural forces caused 6,444 deaths, with lightning strikes (39.7%) and snake bites (10,144 deaths) being key contributors.
On suicides, the total number showed a marginal 0.3% increase over 2022. Family problems (31.9%) and illness (19.0%) remained the leading causes, followed by drug/alcohol addiction (7%). Farmers and cultivators accounted for 10,786 suicides (6.3%), while the male-to-female ratio stood at 72.8:27.2. States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal reported the highest incidence.
These trends underline urgent needs in road safety (Safe India, Smart Cities Mission), public health interventions (cardiac and mental health), and targeted support for vulnerable groups such as farmers and cultivators. The data provides a foundation for shaping accident-reduction strategies, suicide-prevention programmes, and state-specific health policies.
What is the NCRB? β The National Crime Records Bureau, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, compiles and publishes annual crime and safety statistics in India. Its reports inform evidence-based policymaking in law enforcement, road safety, and public health.
Follow the full report here: NCRB ADSI 2023 PDF