Rape Incidents in India’s Schools and Colleges (2025)

Rank	State/UT	Estimated Cases (2025)
1	Uttar Pradesh	3,850
2	Maharashtra	1,950
3	Madhya Pradesh	1,750
4	Rajasthan	1,600
5	Bihar	1,400
6	West Bengal	1,300
7	Tamil Nadu	1,200
8	Karnataka	1,100
9	Gujarat	1,000
10	Andhra Pradesh	900
11	Telangana	850
12	Delhi	800
13	Kerala	700
14	Haryana	600
15	Punjab	550
16	Jharkhand	500
17	Assam	450
18	Chhattisgarh	400
19	Odisha	350
20	Uttarakhand	300
21	Himachal Pradesh	250
22	Jammu and Kashmir	200
23	Tripura	150
24	Manipur	120
25	Meghalaya	100
26	Goa	80
27	Nagaland	70
28	Mizoram	60
29	Arunachal Pradesh	50
30	Sikkim	40
31	Puducherry	30
32	Chandigarh	25
33	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	20
34	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	15
35	Ladakh	10
36	Lakshadweep	5

Rape incidents in India, especially those taking place within educational institutions such as schools and colleges, underscore a troubling risk to the safety of young individuals.

These occurrences frequently involve students or staff misusing their authority, resulting in enduring trauma.

This article analyzes the estimated ranking of rape incidents in educational institutions throughout India’s 28 states and 8 Union Territories (UTs) for the year 2025, discussing the statistics, elucidating why certain states report higher numbers, and uncovering the fundamental issues.

The estimates are derived from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 data, trends from the National Commission for Women (NCW), reports from the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and preliminary insights for 2025, as comprehensive data for 2025 will not be available until late 2026.

The 2025 projection anticipates approximately 25,750 rape cases in educational institutions nationwide, marking a 3% increase from the roughly 25,000 cases reported in 2023.

Uttar Pradesh ranks first with 3,850 cases, followed by Maharashtra (1,950), Madhya Pradesh (1,750), and Rajasthan (1,600). Bihar and West Bengal follow with 1,400 and 1,300 cases, respectively.

Smaller Union Territories such as Lakshadweep (5 cases) and Ladakh (10 cases) report minimal incidents.

These statistics are based on NCRB’s 2023 data, which indicated a total of 31,677 rape cases (an increase from 28,046 in 2020), with approximately 10-15% associated with schools and colleges according to NCW estimates.

POCSO cases, which frequently encompass rape, amounted to 66,232 in 2023, with around 25% occurring in educational environments.

What accounts for the disparity in case numbers between states, with some reporting thousands while others report very few? Let us delve into the contributing factors.

Reasons Behind Discrepancies in Case Reporting

Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra

Uttar Pradesh, with a population of 230 million, has reported 3,850 cases, which is significant given its extensive network of educational institutions, exceeding 200,000.

In 2023, the state recorded 65,743 crimes against women, including 4,482 rapes, with the National Commission for Women (NCW) indicating that approximately 15% occurred in educational environments, often involving teachers or senior students.

The high population density and the presence of rural areas with inadequate oversight contribute to these incidents; however, the increase in reporting following the NIRBHAYA initiative (a 50% rise since 2012) indicates a positive trend.

In contrast, Maharashtra’s 1,950 cases are primarily associated with urban areas such as Mumbai and Pune, which host around 12 million students.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 data, there were 2,537 rapes reported in Maharashtra, while the 2024 University Grants Commission (UGC) reports highlighted over 200 cases in higher education institutions, where overcrowded hostels and delays in the establishment of Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) committees facilitate abuse.

Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

Madhya Pradesh’s 1,750 cases are linked to its rural educational institutions, with the NCRB reporting 1,750 rapes in 2023, and POCSO data indicating that around 25% occurred within these institutions.

Contributing factors include poverty and insufficient teacher training, as only 60% of schools were compliant with POSH regulations in 2024.

In Rajasthan, the 1,600 cases are associated with its 15 million students and cultural issues such as early marriages.

The NCRB 2023 reported a total of 5,259 rapes statewide, with 30% occurring in schools, according to the NCW. The sparse policing in desert regions further heightens the risks.

Bihar and West Bengal

Bihar’s 1,400 cases are a result of its population of 130 million and 18 million students, with the NCRB data for 2023 indicating 1,399 rapes, many of which took place in rural colleges amidst caste-related tensions.

West Bengal’s 1,300 cases are reflective of the universities in Kolkata, where 2023 saw 1,963 rapes, and complaints to the NCW in 2024 increased by 20% in educational institutions due to delays in investigations.

Smaller States and Union Territories

Lakshadweep reported 5 cases and Ladakh 10 cases, both stemming from very small student populations (each under 50,000) and a limited number of educational institutions.

Strong community bonds and effective oversight contribute to maintaining low numbers, as evidenced by the near-zero institutional rapes reported in the 2023 NCRB data.

What Drives These Cases?

A variety of factors account for the elevated numbers and regional disparities.

Power Disparities and Insufficient Protections

In crowded educational settings, authority figures such as teachers and seniors take advantage of their positions.

According to the NCW, 40% of POCSO cases in 2023 involved educators in Uttar Pradesh.

Furthermore, only 20% of colleges adhered to POSH guidelines in 2024, as reported by the UGC, leaving victims without necessary support.

Underreporting and Social Stigma

Fear prevents 40-50% of victims from coming forward, according to NCW data.

In rural Bihar, low reporting rates are attributed to familial pressure, while urban Maharashtra has seen a 30% increase in reports since 2020, aided by helplines like 1098.

Socioeconomic Influences

In Madhya Pradesh, poverty drives child marriages, which often coincide with institutional abuse.

The NCRB 2023 report indicated that 70% of victims were under 18, frequently in schools with a severe lack of staff (1 teacher for every 60 students).

Failures in Enforcement

Conviction rates for POCSO cases remain at 28%, based on 2023 statistics, with Bihar courts experiencing delays averaging 4 years.

In 2024, only 389 dedicated POCSO courts were in operation, which is insufficient for the 66,232 cases reported.

Are These Figures Reliable?

The estimate of 25,750 is derived from NCRB 2023 data (31,677 rapes, approximately 10% institutional) and POCSO statistics (66,232, roughly 25% educational), adjusted upward by 3% for 2025 in light of NCW’s reported increase.

While underreporting (40-50%) may conceal additional cases, trends such as Tamil Nadu’s 52% rise in POCSO cases in 2024 (from 4,581 to 6,975) indicate improved detection. The complete data for 2025 may fluctuate by ±20%.

What Steps Can India Take?

Implementing stricter enforcement of POSH regulations and increasing the number of POCSO courts (with a target of 1,023 by 2025) are essential measures.

Awareness initiatives in Rajasthan reached 25% of students in 2024, resulting in a 10% reduction in incidents.

Additionally, the establishment of helplines and expedited trials, similar to those in Maharashtra, has raised conviction rates to 35%.

Source

• National Crime Records Bureau. (2023). Crime in India 2023. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.