Atrocity Cases Against SCs: 53,372 in 2023, NCRB Data

Atrocity cases against SCs hit five-year high of 53,372 in 2023 (NCRB)

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Battle Brief

Cases registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 for crimes against Scheduled Castes rose from 45,995 in 2020 to a five-year high of 53,372 in 2023, the Social Justice Ministry told Rajya Sabha on 30 July 2026. Cases eased to 48,669 in 2024. Convictions rose to 5,192 in 2024, but trials pending kept rising.

Fact File

Released: 30 Jul 2026, Rajya Sabha reply, Social Justice Ministry
Source of data: NCRB, Crime in India (up to 2024)
Cases registered: 45,995 (2020); 53,372 (2023, five-year high); 48,669 (2024)
Convictions (cases): 2,613 (2020); 5,192 (2024)
Persons convicted: 4,855 (2020); 10,839 (2024)
Pending trial: 1,77,379 (2020); 2,87,694 (2024)

In the news

Atrocities against Scheduled Castes: what happened?

The Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 punishes specific crimes against SCs and STs. The new figures cover only crimes against Scheduled Castes, State and UT-wise, for 2020 to 2024. They show more cases and more convictions, but also a growing pile of trials yet to finish.

2023: 45,439 cases chargesheeted, 14,634 pending investigation, 4,691 convictions.
2024: 40,614 chargesheeted, 14,918 pending investigation.
Persons chargesheeted peaked at 90,664 in 2023.
Persons convicted in 2024 (10,839) were more than double the 2020 figure.
The Ministry called NCRB’s Crime in India the authoritative source for these crimes.

Back Story

Which Articles back this law?

Article 17 abolishes “Untouchability” and makes enforcing any disability from it an offence punishable by law.
Article 46 asks the State to protect SCs and STs from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.

Why examiners care

Why does atrocities against Scheduled Castes matter?

Social justice: Rising cases show both persistent crime and more reporting.
Justice delivery: Pending trials grew every year to 2024.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on atrocities against Scheduled Castes?

PoA Act: 1989; data from NCRB Crime in India.
Crimes against SCs: 53,372 cases in 2023, a five-year high.
Article 17: abolition of Untouchability.

How to use this in Mains

GS-II Social justice

As per PIB (2026-07-30): cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against SCs rose from 45,995 (2020) to 53,372 (2023); persons convicted rose from 4,855 to 7,884.
Rising registration may reflect both crime and reporting.

Quotable data point
Cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against SCs rose from 45,995 (2020) to 53,372 (2023).
PIB: Social Justice: atrocity statistics, 30 Jul 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Which Article of the Constitution abolishes "Untouchability"?

Answer (c) & explanation

Constitution of India, Article 17.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

How many atrocity cases against SCs were registered in 2023?

53,372, the highest in the five years from 2020 to 2024.

Did convictions rise?

Yes. Cases ending in conviction rose from 2,613 in 2020 to 5,192 in 2024, and persons convicted from 4,855 to 10,839.

What is the worry in the data?

Cases pending trial rose to 2,87,694 by the end of 2024, the highest in the period.