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NCRB Reports 10,786 Farm-Sector Suicides in 2023, Concentrated in Maharashtra and Karnataka

Agricultural labourers outnumbered cultivators in the tally, prompting fresh scrutiny of state reporting and relief practices.

Overview

  • The tally fell by more than 4% from 2022 to 10,786, representing 6.3% of all suicides nationwide.
  • Maharashtra recorded 4,151 deaths (about 38%) and Karnataka 2,423 (about 22%), followed by Andhra Pradesh (925), Madhya Pradesh (777) and Tamil Nadu (631).
  • Suicides among agricultural labourers (6,096) exceeded those among farmers and cultivators (4,690), with male victims comprising the vast majority in both groups.
  • Several states and union territories reported zero cases, including West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and Delhi, a pattern that has drawn questions about underreporting.
  • Telangana’s reported farmer suicides dropped to 56 in 2023 and its national share fell to 0.51%, with state officials crediting targeted farm welfare measures.