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Cyber crime in India is growing fast. In 2024, India recorded 20.4 lakh (2.04 million) cyber security incidents. the highest ever. People also reported 38.2 lakh cyber fraud cases and losses of ₹36,448 crore. Here is the latest picture, using official government data from CERT-In and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
Key cyber crime statistics in India (at a glance)
- India saw 20,41,360 cyber security incidents in 2024, the highest on record (CERT-In).
- Cyber incidents went up about 76% between 2020 and 2024.
- Compared with 2019, incidents in 2024 are more than 5 times higher.
- Indians reported 38,22,550 cyber fraud cases on the government portal.
- Total money reported lost to cyber fraud: ₹36,448 crore.
- Only about ₹60.5 crore was refunded to victims, less than 0.2% of the money lost.
- Tamil Nadu is 9th in India by number of fraud cases, but 4th by money lost (₹3,126 crore).
Cyber security incidents in India are rising every year
CERT-In (the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) tracks cyber security incidents across the country. The number goes up almost every year.
| Year | Cyber security incidents reported |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 11,58,208 |
| 2021 | 14,02,809 |
| 2022 | 13,91,457 |
| 2023 | 15,92,917 |
| 2024 | 20,41,360 |
Source: CERT-In, via data.gov.in. Originally answered in Rajya Sabha, Unstarred Question No. 528, 7 February 2025. In 2019, CERT-In tracked 3,94,499 incidents — so the number has grown more than 5 times by 2024.
How much money Indians lose to cyber fraud
People who are cheated online can report it on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). As on 28 February 2025, Indians had reported 38.2 lakh fraud cases and a total loss of ₹36,448 crore.
The hard part is getting the money back. Out of all that money, only about ₹60.5 crore was refunded to victims, less than 0.2%. Around ₹4,380 crore was frozen or put on hold. This is why prevention matters far more than trying to recover money later.
Cyber fraud by state — which states report the most
| Rank | State / UT | Fraud cases reported | Money reported lost (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh | 6,30,778 | 2,858.8 |
| 2 | Maharashtra | 4,27,607 | 5,754.9 |
| 3 | Gujarat | 3,67,754 | 2,745.9 |
| 4 | Rajasthan | 2,67,781 | 1,509.1 |
| 5 | Karnataka | 2,52,487 | 4,151.2 |
| 6 | Telangana | 2,41,666 | 3,331.7 |
| 7 | Haryana | 2,12,001 | 1,492.9 |
| 8 | Delhi | 2,05,464 | 1,943.5 |
| 9 | Tamil Nadu | 1,85,584 | 3,126.0 |
| 10 | West Bengal | 1,53,110 | 1,606.0 |
| — | All India total | 38,22,550 | 36,448.2 |
Source: National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), Ministry of Home Affairs, via data.gov.in. Data as on 28 February 2025. Originally answered in Rajya Sabha, Unstarred Question No. 1517, 12 March 2025. Table shows the top 10 states; the full dataset covers all 36 states and union territories.
Cyber crime in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu reported 1,85,584 cyber fraud cases, which places it 9th in India by number of cases. But by the money lost, the state is much higher, 4th in the whole country, with ₹3,126 crore reported lost. In simple terms, fewer cases in Tamil Nadu involve bigger amounts of money. This is a clear reminder for students, families, and small businesses across Trichy, Coimbatore, and Chennai to stay careful online.
Why cyber security skills are in demand
Cyber attacks in India have gone up more than 5 times since 2019, and most people who lose money never get it back. Companies, banks, and government offices need trained people who can protect systems and stop attacks before they happen. That is why cyber security and ethical hacking have become one of the most in-demand career paths in India today.
If you want to build a career in this field, Systech Group offers a complete Cyber Security & Ethical Hacking program available online and offline across our Trichy, Coimbatore, and Chennai branches.
Cyber crime in Tamil Nadu
How many cyber crimes happen in India each year?
CERT-In tracked 20,41,360 cyber security incidents in 2024, up from 11,58,208 in 2020. Separately, 38.2 lakh cyber fraud cases have been reported on the NCRP portal.
Which Indian state has the most cyber fraud cases?
Uttar Pradesh reports the most (6,30,778 cases), followed by Maharashtra and Gujarat. By money lost, Maharashtra leads, followed by Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
How much money is lost to cyber fraud in India?
Indians reported ₹36,448 crore lost to cyber fraud (as on 28 February 2025). Less than 0.2% of it has been refunded to victims.
Is cyber security a good career in India?
Yes. With attacks rising every year and a large shortage of skilled defenders, demand for trained cyber security and ethical hacking professionals is high and growing.
Sources
Data pulled from the Open Government Data (data.gov.in) Platform, Government of India, and verified against the original Rajya Sabha answers.
- CERT-In year-wise cyber security incidents (2020–2024) — Rajya Sabha USQ 528, 7 Feb 2025.
- NCRP state/UT-wise cyber fraud statistics (as on 28 Feb 2025) — Rajya Sabha USQ 1517, 12 Mar 2025.
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