Answer: Madhya Pradesh
Notes: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 1,77,335 cases of crime against children in 2023, showing a 9.2% increase over 2022, which had 1,62,449 cases. The crime rate rose to 39.9 per one-lakh child population from 36.6 in 2022. Major crime heads were Kidnapping and Abduction of Children with 79,884 cases (45 percent) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act violations with 67,694 cases (38.2 percent). Madhya Pradesh topped the list with 22,393 cases of crime against children in 2023. Maharashtra followed closely with 22,390 cases and Uttar Pradesh reported 18,852 cases. Assam saw a sharp rise with 10,174 cases and Bihar had 9,906 cases. Delhi registered 7,769 cases while Andaman and Nicobar Islands had a high rate of 143.4 per one-lakh child population.
