More than 5.35 lakh children were reported missing across India between 2021 and 2024, of whom 346,023 were traced, while 188,986 remained untraced, according to data placed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in the Rajya Sabha.
The data was tabled by Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar in response to a written question. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, a total of 535,009 children were reported missing during the four-year period, with 346,023 traced and 188,986 remaining untraced.
The data showed that 2024 recorded the highest number of missing children during the period, with 147,175 cases reported. As many as 98,826 children were traced during the year, while 48,349 remained untraced.
In 2024, West Bengal recorded the highest number of missing children, with 22,742 cases. Of these, 17,169 children were traced, while 5,573 remained untraced.
In 2023, 138,609 children were reported missing, of whom 89,809 were traced and 48,800 remained untraced. In 2022, the number of missing children stood at 127,874, with 80,561 traced and 47,313 remaining untraced.
The data further showed that 121,351 children went missing in 2021, while 76,827 were traced and 44,524 remained untraced.
The NCRB data revealed significant variations among states and union territories. West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and Delhi were among the regions reporting high numbers of missing children during the period.
Jammu and Kashmir figures
In Jammu and Kashmir, 3,221 children were reported missing between 2021 and 2024, according to the data. Of these, 1,204 were traced, while 2,017 remained untraced.
The number of missing children in J&K increased from 723 in 2021 to 838 in 2024. During the same period, the number of traced children increased from 240 to 286, while the number of untraced children rose from 483 to 552.
The data showed that 821 children went missing in J&K in 2022, followed by 839 in 2023 and 838 in 2024.
Responding to the question on child trafficking, the ministry said state/UT-wise details of persons arrested and convicted under human trafficking, including child trafficking, for 2020-2024 were available with the NCRB. However, data on the number of pending human trafficking cases is not maintained centrally.
On Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), the ministry said it had provided financial assistance to all states and union territories for upgrading or setting up AHTUs covering all districts.
The Centre clarified that 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State List subjects, and the responsibility for establishing AHTUs and providing adequate staff rests with the respective state governments and Union Territory administrations. The Ministry also said that specific details regarding staff vacancies in AHTUs are not maintained centrally.
