The best and worst cities in India for women’s safety

Kohima (Nagaland) Kohima tops the NARI ranking due to strong local policing, gender-inclusive infrastructure, community participation, and positive women’s safety perceptions across public and private spaces.

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) This city ranks high with good public lighting, proactive civic enforcement, safe transport systems, and women reporting higher trust in authorities and feeling secure.

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) Recognised for effective safety measures, including street patrolling, women-centric infrastructure, and strong municipal commitment to gender equity.

Aizawl (Mizoram) A small-town environment with high social cohesion, low crime, empathetic policing and strong community support contributes to its top safety status.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) Among major metros, Mumbai scored above the national average owing to stronger women’s helplines, improved street safety, policing, and public transport measures.

Delhi Ranks lowest among metros with poor lighting, rampant harassment in neighbourhoods and transit, and erosion of trust in authorities.

Kolkata (West Bengal) Kolkata is on the list of the least safe cities for women in India due to inadequate street infrastructure, persistent harassment, and weaker institutional responsiveness.

Patna (Bihar) Safety concerns stem from patriarchal norms, poor civic infrastructure, limited harassment reporting, and restricted public mobility for women.

Faridabad (Haryana) Low safety index attributed to poor policing, sub-standard public infrastructure, harassment hotspots, and low civic confidence.

Jaipur (Rajasthan) Infrastructure gaps for couples, street harassment, low reporting rates, and patriarchal social structures result in weak safety scores.

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