Telangana recorded 423 human trafficking cases in 2024, the highest among all States and Union Territories. Maharashtra followed with 337 cases, Odisha with 141, Bihar with 138 and Karnataka with 115.

The latest figures reflect a rise of around 25.9% compared to 336 cases in 2023. Compared to 391 cases in 2022, the 2024 figures represent an overall increase of around 8.2%.

Telangana alone accounted for nearly 20% of all human trafficking cases registered across India in 2024. Nationally, 2,135 human trafficking cases were recorded during the year.

The data also highlighted the profile of victims rescued or identified in trafficking cases in Telangana. A majority of the victims, 765 out of 814, were adults above 18 years of age, while 49 victims were minors below 18 years. Women accounted for an overwhelming majority of victims. Of the total 814 victims identified in Telangana, 792 were females.

The NCRB figures further showed that “sexual exploitation for prostitution” remained the dominant motive behind trafficking in the State, linked to 770 victims. Forced labour was linked to 17 victims.

Telangana also recorded a trafficking crime rate of 1.1 cases per lakh population in 2024, the highest in the country and significantly above the national average of 0.2. The State’s charge-sheeting rate stood at 99%, higher than the national average of 90.8%.