NARI 2025: India’s Safest Cities for Women Revealed
New Delhi, August 29, 2025 — The National Annual Report and Index on Women’s Safety (NARI) 2025, released by the National Commission for Women (NCW), has unveiled the safest and least safe cities for women in India. Drawing from a survey of 12,770 women across 31 cities, the report provides a detailed look at urban safety through the lens of women’s lived experiences. With a national safety score of 65%, cities are ranked as “much above,” “above,” “at,” “below,” or “much below” this threshold.
Top Cities for Women’s Safety
The NARI 2025 report names Kohima, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, and Mumbai as the safest cities for women in India. These cities excel in gender equity, policing, women-friendly infrastructure, and community engagement. Notably, four Northeast capitals—Kohima, Aizawl, Gangtok, and Itanagar—shine for their inclusive policies and safe environments.
- Kohima: Nagaland’s capital tops the list, driven by strong civic participation and progressive gender policies.
- Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar: These cities stand out for their reliable infrastructure and effective law enforcement.
- Aizawl, Gangtok, and Itanagar: Northeast cities benefit from community-driven safety initiatives and equitable social norms.
- Mumbai: The financial hub ranks high due to robust safety measures and better gender equity.
Cities Facing Safety Challenges
The report identifies Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Srinagar, and Ranchi as the least safe cities for women. These cities struggle with inadequate infrastructure, such as poor lighting and unreliable public transport, alongside weak institutional responses and persistent patriarchal attitudes.
Key Insights from NARI 2025
The report goes beyond crime statistics, which often underreport incidents, to capture women’s real-world experiences:
- Safety Perceptions: While 60% of women feel “safe” overall, 40% feel “not so safe” or “unsafe,” especially at night. Only 25% trust authorities to handle safety complaints effectively, particularly in public transport and recreational spaces.
- Harassment Trends: Seven percent of women reported harassment in 2024, with the rate doubling to 14% for those aged 18–24. Common issues include staring, catcalling, lewd comments, and physical touching, mostly in neighborhoods (38%) and public transport (29%).
- Underreporting: Only one in three women who faced harassment reported it, citing fear of retaliation or stigma, highlighting a gap between official data and reality.
- Workplace Safety: Ninety-one percent of women feel safe at work, but 53% are unaware of mandatory Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) policies, though existing policies are generally effective.
- Day vs. Night: Daytime safety is high, with 86% feeling secure in educational institutions, but confidence drops significantly at night in public spaces.
NCW Chairperson’s Call to Action
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, launching the report, stressed that women’s safety is critical to their education, health, and economic participation. “Unsafe environments restrict women’s potential, holding back both individuals and the nation,” she said. Rahatkar highlighted the importance of addressing physical, psychological, financial, and digital safety. She commended initiatives like women’s helplines, CCTV networks, and increased female representation in police forces but urged society to take greater responsibility. “Safety is a shared duty—citizens must engage with helplines, support awareness campaigns, and maintain public spaces,” she added.
Recommendations for Safer Cities
The NARI 2025 report advocates for:
- Enhanced urban infrastructure, including better lighting and reliable public transport.
- Stronger institutional mechanisms to address safety complaints promptly.
- Greater awareness and enforcement of POSH policies in workplaces.
- Community efforts to dismantle patriarchal norms and promote gender equality.
Developed by Pvalue Analytics with The NorthCap University and Jindal Global Law School, and published by the Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA), the report combines perception-based surveys with crime data to offer a holistic view of women’s safety. As India strives for inclusive growth, NARI 2025 serves as a vital guide for policymakers and communities.
Stay updated on women’s safety and more at www.nriglobe.com.
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