NARI 2025 Report: Mumbai, Kohima Among Safest Cities for Women; Delhi, Kolkata Rank Lowest – All You Need to Know
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The NARI 2025 report has shed fresh light on how safe Indian cities truly are for women. While Mumbai and Kohima emerged at the top of the safety index, metropolitan hubs like Delhi and Kolkata found themselves at the bottom. The findings highlight that official rankings don’t always capture the everyday challenges women face.
According to the survey conducted across 31 cities with responses from over 12,700 women, Mumbai, Kohima, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, and Itanagar ranked among the safest cities for women. On the other hand, Kolkata, Delhi, Ranchi, Srinagar, Faridabad, Patna, and Jaipur were identified as the least safe.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
Even in cities considered “safe,” four in ten women admitted they do not feel completely secure. While six in ten women said they feel “safe” overall, safety often depends on time and place. Confidence levels are high during the day, especially in schools and colleges, but drop sharply after sunset. Public transport, neighbourhood streets, and recreational spaces were identified as the most concerning areas at night.
Harassment Remains Underreported
The report also revealed that only one in three women who experienced harassment reported it. This underreporting skews official crime data, painting a misleadingly positive picture. With two-thirds of incidents going unreported, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) fails to capture the true extent of women’s safety concerns.
More Than Just Law and Order
National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, while releasing the report, emphasised that women’s safety is not limited to policing. It has far-reaching impacts on education, employment, health, mobility, and even digital participation. She highlighted the importance of initiatives like helplines, CCTV coverage, and women in policing and public transport, but also stressed the role of society in building safer environments.
The Way Forward
The NARI 2025 findings underline that safety cannot be measured by statistics alone. A city is safe when women can move freely, report harassment without fear, and live without restrictions. Until then, safety remains an illusion on paper, while women continue to navigate hesitation and caution in their daily lives.
Cities Ranked Safest and Least Safe for Women
According to the survey conducted across 31 cities with responses from over 12,700 women, Mumbai, Kohima, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, and Itanagar ranked among the safest cities for women. On the other hand, Kolkata, Delhi, Ranchi, Srinagar, Faridabad, Patna, and Jaipur were identified as the least safe.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
Even in cities considered “safe,” four in ten women admitted they do not feel completely secure. While six in ten women said they feel “safe” overall, safety often depends on time and place. Confidence levels are high during the day, especially in schools and colleges, but drop sharply after sunset. Public transport, neighbourhood streets, and recreational spaces were identified as the most concerning areas at night.
Harassment Remains Underreported
The report also revealed that only one in three women who experienced harassment reported it. This underreporting skews official crime data, painting a misleadingly positive picture. With two-thirds of incidents going unreported, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) fails to capture the true extent of women’s safety concerns.
More Than Just Law and Order
National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, while releasing the report, emphasised that women’s safety is not limited to policing. It has far-reaching impacts on education, employment, health, mobility, and even digital participation. She highlighted the importance of initiatives like helplines, CCTV coverage, and women in policing and public transport, but also stressed the role of society in building safer environments.
The Way Forward
The NARI 2025 findings underline that safety cannot be measured by statistics alone. A city is safe when women can move freely, report harassment without fear, and live without restrictions. Until then, safety remains an illusion on paper, while women continue to navigate hesitation and caution in their daily lives.
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