Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah chaired the 10th apex‑level meeting of the NCORD in New Delhi. The meeting released the Vision Document on Drug Control (2026‑2029), the NCB Annual Report‑2025, and inaugurated NCB zonal offices in Jammu and Guwahati. A parallel Online Drugs Disposal Fortnight Campaign was launched to destroy 2,09,500 kg of narcotics valued at ₹6,000 crore.
Key Developments
- Adoption of a three‑pillared strategy – Detect, Disrupt, Destroy – to target the entire drug ecosystem.
- Mandate for all states to convert their ANTF into full‑time, well‑equipped units.
- Financial investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to be made mandatory in major NDPS cases.
- Creation of exclusive NDPS courts at High Court level for speedy convictions.
- Launch of "drug‑free zones" and awareness drives involving schools, parents, and youth organisations.
- Emphasis on curbing synthetic drugs and darknet‑based trafficking.
- Strengthening cross‑border cooperation through Red Corner Notices, extradition, and CBI coordination.
Important Facts
Since 2014, India has seized drugs worth ₹1,84,000 crore (≈1.18 million kg) and destroyed drugs worth ₹89,896 crore (≈4.25 million kg). Illegal opium cultivation destroyed rose from 10,000 acres in 2020 to 42,282 acres in 2025. Arrests increased from 1.95 lakh (2004‑14) to 10.97 lakh (2014‑26). These trends show a steep upward trajectory in enforcement.
Exam Relevance
The document illustrates the "Whole of Government" and "Whole of Society" approaches stressed in GS 2 (Polity) and GS 3 (Governance). It highlights inter‑agency coordination (NCORD, NCB, ED, CBI, NATGRID) and the role of state machinery, a frequent UPSC theme. The focus on synthetic drugs, darknet, and crypto‑payments links to emerging security challenges covered under GS 4 (Internal Security) and GS 3 (Technology). Understanding the legal framework (NDPS Act) and the financial investigative tools (PMLA, ED) is essential for questions on law‑enforcement reforms.
Way Forward
The roadmap sets four pillars: Enforcement, Intelligence & Operations; Precursors & Synthetic Drug Control; Demand Reduction & Rehabilitation; and Capacity Building, Coordination & Monitoring. Targets are defined for each pillar with annual reviews. States are urged to:
- Upgrade ANTFs to dedicated units with modern equipment.
- Ensure real‑time data sharing among financial and intelligence agencies.
- Appoint special public prosecutors and exclusive NDPS judges.
- Promote drug‑free campuses and community‑based rehabilitation.
Collective action, strict financial tracking, and technology‑driven policing are presented as the decisive factors for achieving a "Nasha‑Mukt Bharat" by 2029.