Suicide is a serious public-health issue that affects individuals, families, workplaces, and communities. India’s urban centres are home to millions of people, and official data shows considerable variation in suicide numbers and rates between cities.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2024 data, the 53 mega cities covered in the report recorded 26,150 suicide deaths, with an overall suicide rate of 16.3 per lakh population. This was higher than the national rate of 12.2 per lakh.

It is important to distinguish between the total number of suicides and the suicide rate. A large city may record more deaths simply because it has a much larger population. The rate provides a population-adjusted measure and therefore tells a different story.

Below are some Indian cities that reported notably high suicide rates or large numbers of suicide deaths in the latest available NCRB data.

1. Kollam – Kerala

Kollam recorded the highest reported suicide rate among the 53 mega cities in 2024, at 51.5 per lakh population. The city recorded 766 suicide deaths during the year.

The figures highlight why population-adjusted statistics are important when examining suicide patterns. Kollam’s absolute number is considerably smaller than that of Delhi or Bengaluru, but its rate is much higher.

🌿 Key Facts

1. State: Kerala
2. Suicides in 2024: 766
3. Suicide rate: 51.5 per lakh
4. Category: Highest reported city rate
5. Major concern: Public-health and mental-wellbeing support

📸 Things To Do

1. Explore Ashtamudi Lake
2. Visit Thangassery Lighthouse
3. See Thirumullavaram Beach
4. Explore Munroe Island
5. Experience Kerala’s backwaters

Best For: Backwaters • Beaches • Heritage • Nature • Tourism

2. Rajkot – Gujarat

Rajkot reported a suicide rate of 39.3 per lakh population in 2024, making it one of the cities with the highest reported rates among the 53 mega cities. The city recorded 764 suicide deaths.

Rajkot is an important industrial and commercial centre in Gujarat, with a large population involved in manufacturing, trade and services.

🌿 Key Facts

1. State: Gujarat
2. Suicides in 2024: 764
3. Suicide rate: 39.3 per lakh
4. Known For: Industry and commerce
5. Region: Saurashtra

📸 Things To Do

1. Visit Watson Museum
2. Explore Kaba Gandhi No Delo
3. Spend time at Jubilee Garden
4. Visit Rotary Midtown Dolls Museum
5. Explore local markets

Best For: Heritage • Business • Culture • Shopping • Food

3. Indore – Madhya Pradesh

Indore recorded 1,626 suicide deaths in 2024, with a reported suicide rate of 34.6 per lakh population.

Indore is Madhya Pradesh’s largest city and a major centre for education, commerce, manufacturing and services. The city’s data forms part of the broader urban suicide picture documented by NCRB.

🌿 Key Facts

1. State: Madhya Pradesh
2. Suicides in 2024: 1,626
3. Suicide rate: 34.6 per lakh
4. Known For: Commerce and education
5. Famous Landmark: Rajwada Palace

📸 Things To Do

1. Visit Rajwada Palace
2. Explore Lal Bagh Palace
3. Try food at Sarafa Bazaar
4. Visit Annapurna Temple
5. Explore Chappan Dukan

Best For: Food • Heritage • Shopping • Education • Business

4. Raipur – Chhattisgarh

Raipur recorded 1,662 suicide deaths in 2024, with a reported suicide rate of 33.7 per lakh population.

As the capital of Chhattisgarh, Raipur has developed into an important administrative, industrial and commercial centre.

🌿 Key Facts

1. State: Chhattisgarh
2. Suicides in 2024: 1,662
3. Suicide rate: 33.7 per lakh
4. Known For: Industry and administration
5. Region: Central India

📸 Things To Do

1. Visit Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum
2. Explore Purkhauti Muktangan
3. Visit Nandan Van Zoo
4. Explore Telibandha Lake
5. Take a trip to Sirpur

Best For: Culture • History • Nature • Business • Short Trips

5. Vijayawada – Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada recorded 953 suicide deaths in 2024 and a reported suicide rate of 31.5 per lakh population.

The city is an important commercial and transport centre in Andhra Pradesh and sits along the Krishna River.

🌿 Key Facts

1. State: Andhra Pradesh
2. Suicides in 2024: 953
3. Suicide rate: 31.5 per lakh
4. River: Krishna
5. Known For: Commerce and pilgrimage

📸 Things To Do

1. Visit Kanaka Durga Temple
2. Explore Prakasam Barrage
3. Visit Bhavani Island
4. Explore Undavalli Caves
5. Enjoy Krishna River views

Best For: Pilgrimage • Culture • History • River Tourism • Shopping

6. Nagpur – Maharashtra

Nagpur recorded 2,422 suicide deaths in 2024. The available NCRB figures place its suicide rate at approximately 28.5 per lakh population, according to reporting based on the 2024 data.

Nagpur is a major city in central India and an important transport, education and commercial hub.

🌿 Key Facts

1. State: Maharashtra
2. Suicides in 2024: 2,422
3. Suicide rate: About 28.5 per lakh
4. Known For: Orange production
5. Location: Central India

📸 Things To Do

1. Visit Deekshabhoomi
2. Explore Sitabuldi Fort
3. Visit Futala Lake
4. Explore Seminary Hill
5. Take a trip to Pench National Park

Best For: Heritage • Nature • Education • Food • Wildlife

7. Bengaluru – Karnataka

Bengaluru recorded 2,403 suicide deaths in 2024, the second-highest absolute number among the 53 mega cities after Delhi. Its reported suicide rate was 28.3 per lakh population.

The city is one of India’s largest technology and employment centres and attracts people from across the country.

🌿 Key Facts

1. State: Karnataka
2. Suicides in 2024: 2,403
3. Suicide rate: 28.3 per lakh
4. Known For: Information technology
5. Nickname: Silicon Valley of India

📸 Things To Do

1. Visit Bengaluru Palace
2. Explore Cubbon Park
3. See Vidhana Soudha
4. Visit Lalbagh Botanical Garden
5. Explore Bangalore Fort

Best For: Technology • Education • Parks • Food • Business

8. Surat – Gujarat

Surat recorded 1,079 suicide deaths in 2024 and a reported suicide rate of 23.5 per lakh population.

Known for its diamond and textile industries, Surat is one of Gujarat’s most important commercial centres.

🌿 Key Facts

1. State: Gujarat
2. Suicides in 2024: 1,079
3. Suicide rate: 23.5 per lakh
4. Known For: Diamonds and textiles
5. River: Tapi

📸 Things To Do

1. Visit Surat Castle
2. Explore Dutch Garden
3. Visit Sarthana Nature Park
4. Enjoy Tapi River views
5. Explore the city’s food markets

Best For: Business • Shopping • Food • Industry • Family Trips

9. Chennai – Tamil Nadu

Chennai recorded 1,525 suicide deaths in 2024, making it one of the four metropolitan cities with the largest absolute numbers. Its reported number was marginally lower than the 1,529 recorded in 2023. 

Chennai is a major centre for automobiles, healthcare, education, manufacturing and information technology.

🌿 Key Facts

1. State: Tamil Nadu
2. Suicides in 2024: 1,525
3. 2023 figure: 1,529
4. Known For: Industry and healthcare
5. Coast: Bay of Bengal

📸 Things To Do

1. Visit Marina Beach
2. Explore Kapaleeshwarar Temple
3. Visit Fort St. George
4. Explore Government Museum
5. Visit San Thome Basilica

Best For: Beaches • Heritage • Food • Healthcare • Culture

10. Mumbai – Maharashtra

Mumbai recorded 1,406 suicide deaths in 2024. It was among the four metropolitan cities that together accounted for about 31.5% of the suicide deaths reported across the 53 mega cities. 

Mumbai is India’s financial and entertainment capital and has one of the country’s largest urban populations.

🌿 Key Facts

1. State: Maharashtra
2. Suicides in 2024: 1,406
3. Known For: Finance and entertainment
4. Coast: Arabian Sea
5. Major Hub: Business and media

📸 Things To Do

1. Visit Gateway of India
2. Walk along Marine Drive
3. Explore Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
4. Visit Elephanta Caves
5. Explore Colaba

Best For: Business • Entertainment • Heritage • Food • Shopping

📊 Suicide Statistics In Indian Mega Cities

The NCRB data shows an important distinction between number of cases and rate per lakh population.

City	Suicide deaths, 2024	Reported rate
Kollam	766	51.5 per lakh
Rajkot	764	39.3 per lakh
Indore	1,626	34.6 per lakh
Raipur	1,662	33.7 per lakh
Vijayawada	953	31.5 per lakh
Nagpur	2,422	28.5 per lakh
Bengaluru	2,403	28.3 per lakh
Surat	1,079	23.5 per lakh
Chennai	1,525	—
Mumbai	1,406	—

The figures illustrate why absolute numbers and rates should not be treated as interchangeable measures. NCRB’s 53-city dataset reported an overall city suicide rate of 16.3 per lakh in 2024.

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🔎 What Does The NCRB Data Tell Us?

The data shows that suicide patterns differ substantially across Indian urban areas. Delhi recorded the highest absolute number of suicide deaths among the 53 mega cities, with 2,905 cases, followed by Bengaluru with 2,403, Chennai with 1,525 and Mumbai with 1,406.

At the same time, Kollam had the highest reported rate, demonstrating that the city with the largest number of cases is not necessarily the city with the highest population-adjusted rate. 

NCRB’s national data identifies family problems and illness among the leading reported causes of suicides. Such statistics should not be interpreted as proving that any single factor causes suicide in an individual case. 

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🌱 Understanding Suicide As A Public-Health Issue

Suicide statistics represent people and families, not simply numbers on a chart. Urban stress can intersect with many different circumstances, including family difficulties, financial problems, illness, social isolation, employment-related pressures and other personal challenges.

Because the reasons behind suicide are complex, city-level statistics should primarily be used to understand where additional prevention, mental-health awareness and support services may be needed.

It is also important to remember that NCRB figures represent reported cases, and differences in reporting practices, population estimates and city boundaries can affect comparisons between places.

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❤️ Suicide Prevention And Support

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or feels unable to cope, please don’t face it alone. Speaking with a trusted person, mental-health professional, doctor, counsellor or emergency service can be an important first step.

In India, Tele-MANAS provides mental-health support at 14416. In an immediate emergency, contact 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.

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📌 Final Thoughts

India’s urban suicide data shows that there is no single way to describe suicide patterns across cities. Delhi recorded the highest number of reported suicide deaths among the 53 mega cities in 2024, while Kollam recorded the highest reported suicide rate. Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Rajkot, Indore, Raipur, Vijayawada, Nagpur and Surat also feature prominently in the available city-level statistics. 

The figures underline the importance of looking beyond rankings and focusing on awareness, early support, accessible mental-health services and stronger community networks.

Data Source: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India 2024. The Government of India’s Open Government Data platform also publishes NCRB suicide datasets.