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The digital revolution in India has brought unparalleled convenience however it has also opened the door to a sophisticated new age of digital scams and crimes. In 2026 the complexity of cyber attacks has changed like deepfakes to digital arrests which has reached an all time high.
In India, cyber crimes are defined under the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. These crimes involve any criminal activity where a computer or communication device is either a tool or a target. The categorisation of crimes include:
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Financial Fraud: UPI scams, credit card fraud, and phishing.
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Digital Arrest Scams: Fraudsters posing as law enforcement to extort money.
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Cyber Stalking and Bullying: Targeted harassment online.
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Identity Theft: Unauthorized use of personal data.
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Sextortion: Blackmail using compromised or manipulated private images.
Which State Has the Highest Cyber Crime in India?
According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data Karnataka remains the state with the highest number of registered cyber crime cases in India. Karnataka reported a staggering 21,889 cases (2023) in the last annual reporting cycle.
While Karnataka leads in total numbers,Telangana has often reported the highest rate of cyber crime per lakh population, indicating a very high density of incidents relative to its citizens.
Top 10 Cyber Crime States in India
The states with the highest volume of registered cyber crime cases. This data is based on the 2023-2025 reporting period consolidated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
| Rank | State | Registered Cases (Approx.) | Primary Crime Driver |
| 1 | Karnataka | 21,889 | Online Banking & Identity Theft |
| 2 | Telangana | 18,236 | Financial Fraud & UPI Scams |
| 3 | Uttar Pradesh | 10,794 | Social Media Crimes & OTP Frauds |
| 4 | Maharashtra | 8,103 | Corporate Cyber Extortion |
| 5 | Bihar | 4,450 | Phishing & Job Scams |
| 6 | Tamil Nadu | 4,121 | Data Exfiltration & Malware |
| 7 | Kerala | 3,295 | E-commerce Fraud |
| 8 | Andhra Pradesh | 2,341 | Investment Scams |
| 9 | Gujarat | 1,995 | Business Email Compromise (BEC) |
| 10 | Jharkhand | 1,079 | Rural Phishing Hubs (e.g., Jamtara) |
Which State Has the Highest Number of Cyber Crime Police Stations?
To combat the rising tide of digital crime, the Government of India has significantly expanded the network of dedicated Cyber Crime Police Stations (CCPS).
As per the The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of dedicated cyber crime police stations in India which are operational across all the districts.
Top 5 States by Cyber Police Infrastructure:
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Uttar Pradesh: 75 Stations
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Tamil Nadu: 54 Stations
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Maharashtra: 47 Stations
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Bihar: 44 Stations
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Gujarat: 39 Stations
How to Stay Safe
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Cyber Crime helpline number: you can call the national helpline 1930 immediately or visit National Cyber Crime Portal.
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Enable 2FA: Always use Two-Factor Authentication for social media and banking.
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Beware of Digital Arrest: Always remember, no Indian law enforcement agency will ever ask for money over a video call or place you under digital arrest.
Also Read: NCRB Report on Cyber Crime Cases in India
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