The Silent Crisis: Why the Rise in Male Suicides Demands National Attention
The case of Twisha Sharma has reignited discussions around gender-based violence and suicides in India. As expected, much of the public discourse and media coverage has focused on allegations against the husband and his family. However, amid the sensationalism and trial by media, a larger and far more disturbing reality of growing epidemic of male suicides in India remains largely ignored.
Every day, 4.5 mts men take their own lives or become victims of violence in intimate relationships. Yet these incidents rarely evoke the same level of public outrage, media attention, or societal introspection as cases involving female victims. The result is a dangerous blind spot in our understanding of gender, victimhood, and mental health.
In 2024, India recorded approximately 1,70,694 suicides. Of these, 1,25,449—or 73.5%—were men.
Report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) since 1967 reveals an alarming trend. For more than three decades, from 1967 to 1999, the Male Suicide Index (MSI)—the ratio of male to female suicides—remained relatively stable at around 1.4. In other words, male suicides were about 40% higher than female suicides.
However, beginning in the late 1990s, a structural shift occurred. The ratio started rising steadily and has now reached an unprecedented 2.77. Today, nearly three men die by suicide for every woman (Refer graph :“Tracking the Male Suicide Index”).
The situation becomes even more concerning when marital status is considered. Data indicate that married men face a higher risk of suicide than unmarried men, and their suicide risk is significantly higher than that of married women. (Refer graph: “Male Suicide Risk by Marital Status”)
What Changed After the 1990s?
The timing of this shift raises important questions.
India's economic liberalization in 1991 transformed not only the economy but also the social fabric of the country. Globalization, rapid urbanization, changing family structures, evolving gender norms, and the growth of women institutions have all reshaped interpersonal relationships and social expectations.
Whether these developments directly contributed to the surge in male suicides remains a matter for rigorous research. However, one fact stands out: female suicides have remained broadly stable at around 45,000 annually since the late 1990s, while male suicides have continued to rise sharply, suggesting that the widening gap is driven primarily by increasing male vulnerability.
Men in Their Most Productive Years Are the Most Vulnerable
The burden of suicide falls disproportionately on men in the age group of 30–60 years—the very years during which men are expected to shoulder the responsibilities of earning, supporting families, caring for children and aging parents, and meeting societal expectations of success.
Approximately 65% of all male suicides occur within this age bracket.
The Male Suicide Index in this group is 3.91, meaning nearly four men die by suicide for every woman.
The disparity is even greater in the 45–60 age group, where the MSI reaches 4.53.
These figures should deeply concern policymakers, mental health professionals, and society at large. (Refer graph: “The Middle Age Crisis”)
Family Problems: The Largest Driver of Male Suicides
According to NCRB data, the single largest recorded cause of suicide is "Family Problems," accounting for 33% of all suicides.
Prior to 1995, NCRB separately recorded causes such as "Quarrel with Spouse" and "Quarrel with In-Laws." After 1995, these categories were merged into the broader category of "Family Problems." As a result, a substantial portion of marital conflict-related suicides is now embedded within the family problems category. This dispels the notion that marital conflict related suicides is captured under “Marriage related issues” (this captures issues directly related to event of marriage or divorce, non-settlement of marriage, dowry dispute etc).
The Male Suicide Index for suicides attributed to family problems was 0.92 in 1995. By 2024, it had risen to 2.59.
Even more strikingly, of the approximately 73,000 additional male suicides recorded annually since 1995, nearly 47% can be attributed to the increase in suicides linked to family problems.
This suggests that relationship and family-related stress is a major contributor to the rise in male suicides. (Refer graph: “Impact of Family Problems on Male Suicides”)
Need for National Commission for Men
The steady rise in male suicides is not merely a men's issue—it is a national public health concern. With men accounting for nearly three-fourths of all suicide deaths, the scale of the crisis demands focused attention and policy intervention.
A National Commission for Men could provide an institutional framework to study the causes of male distress, identify policy gaps, and recommend measures to address issues such as mental health, family-related stress, and suicide prevention.
The existence of the problem is no longer in question. The data is clear. What remains to be seen is how long society can afford to ignore it.