The Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India 2024 report highlighted that Rate of Suicides (per lakh population) decreased from 12.3 (2023) to 12.2 (2024).
Key Highlights of the Report
- Causative Factors of Suicides: ‘Family Problems (other than marriage related problems)’ (33.5%), ‘Illness’ (18.0%) and ‘Drug abuse/addiction’ (7.6%) together accounted for 59.0% of total suicides in the country during 2024.
- State wise distribution: Majority were reported in Maharashtra followed by Tamil Nadu.
- Delhi reported highest number of suicides (2,905) among UTs, followed by Puducherry.
- Education Status of Victims: Only 5.6% of total suicides victims were graduate and above.
- 10.1% victims of suicide were illiterate.
- Trends in Cities: Suicide rate in cities (16.3) was higher compared to all-India suicide rate (12.2).
- Professional Status of Suicide Victims: Among male suicides, maximum suicides were committed by daily wage earners.
- Amongst females, highest number was of house-wives.
- In farming sector, 10,546 persons (6.2%) accounted for total suicide victims.
- Overall male: female ratio: Stood at 73.5 : 26.5.
Key Measures taken to curb Suicide in India
- Acts/Policies: National Mental Health Policy (2014); Mental Healthcare Act (2017); National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), etc.
- National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS): Launched in 2022, to cut suicide mortality by 10% by 2030.
- Schemes/Initiatives: Ayushman Bharat Scheme, Manodarpan by Ministry of Education; Tele Manas, etc.
