NARI 2025 Highlights: Mumbai among safest Indian cities for women

Mumbai has ranked among the safest cities for women in India, alongside Kohima, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok and Itanagar, according to the National Annual Report and Index on Women's Safety (NARI) 2025. Released in Delhi by the Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA) with Pvalue Analytics, The NorthCap University and Jindal Global Law School, the index links these cities’ performance to stronger gender equity, civic participation, women-friendly infrastructure and effective policing.

At the other end, Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Srinagar and Ranchi ranked lowest, reflecting weak institutions, poor infrastructure and entrenched patriarchal norms.

1. The nationwide survey covered 12,770 women across 31 cities.

2. The national safety score stands at 65%, with cities categorised as "much above", "above", "below" or "much below" this benchmark.

3. About 60% of women described their city as safe, while 40% felt unsafe or only “somewhat safe”.

4. 69% of women considered current safety measures somewhat adequate but 30%+ pointed to major gaps.

5. Only 65% felt there had been tangible improvement between 2023 and 2024.

6. 7% reported experiencing harassment in 2024, with higher vulnerability among women under 24.

7. The report highlights a sharp decline in security at night, especially in public transport and recreational spaces.

8. Educational institutions were rated safe by 86% during the day, but perceptions dropped off-campus or after dark.

9. Neighbourhoods (38%) and public transport (29%) were the most common harassment hotspots.

10. Two-thirds of women did not report incidents, exposing gaps in crime data and the need to combine official statistics with perception-based surveys.

11. Workplaces recorded strong safety perceptions, with 91% of women feeling secure.

12. Nearly 50% were unsure if their workplace had a Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) policy, though those aware of one generally rated it as effective.

13. Only 25% of women trusted authorities to act on complaints.

14. With two-thirds of harassment cases unreported, the study warns that the perception and reality of safety remain far apart.

1. Increase in women police officers

2. Presence of female drivers in public transport

3. Stronger safety networks at transport hubs like stations and depots

4. Wider helpline coverage for women

5. Expanded CCTV surveillance in smart cities

The NARI 2025 index reveals a mixed picture of women’s safety.

Mumbai and smaller capitals like Kohima and Aizawl lead the rankings. Kolkata, often ranked safest in NCRB crime data, has now fallen to the bottom on perception-based measures. The gap shows that low reported crime does not guarantee a lived sense of security. With only 25% of women trusting authorities and two-thirds of harassment cases unreported, the study warns that India must align statistics with women’s everyday realities.