By Soniya:
Bengaluru has recorded one of the highest suicide rates among major Indian cities, according to the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) report. The city’s suicide rate remained close to 20 per lakh population during 2022, 2023, and 2024, placing it at the top among India’s mega-cities.
In 2024, Bengaluru reported 2,403 suicide cases, while Delhi recorded 2,905 cases. However, Delhi’s suicide rate stood lower at 9.8 per lakh population due to its larger population base. Earlier NCRB data for 2023 had also shown Bengaluru reporting 2,370 suicides, higher than the 2,313 cases registered in 2022.
The NCRB, functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs, publishes annual data on accidental deaths and suicides across States, Union Territories, and selected cities. According to the report, family-related problems and illnesses, including mental health issues, accounted for nearly half of all suicides in India during 2023.
Economic distress also emerged as a major factor, with around 66% of suicides linked to individuals earning less than ₹1 lakh annually. Public health studies have associated rising urban suicides with migration stress, work pressure, social isolation, increasing living costs, and weak support systems in metropolitan cities.
The findings highlight the growing need for stronger mental health support, community awareness, and social welfare measures in rapidly expanding urban centres like Bengaluru.
