The Union Government has directed centrally‑funded higher‑education institutes to ask new students for a voluntary urine test for common illicit drugs. The move is part of a larger drug‑control strategy that aims to screen 10 lakh students across 170 institutes by 2029.
Key Developments
- First‑year implementation at IITs, IIMs and one central university (2026‑27).
- Next phase (2027‑28) expands to 32 NITs, 8 IISERs, 3 SPAs, 25 IIITs and 4 technical institutes.
- Final phase (2028‑29) covers 46 central universities and 4 deemed‑to‑be universities.
- Tests are voluntary, confidential and anonymised; results cannot affect admission, hostel allocation or academic standing.
- Samples must be processed in a NABL-certified lab within seven days of submission.
- Guidelines are drawn from the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) at AIIMS Delhi.
Important Facts
The screening panel includes amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, benzodiazepines and phencyclidine (PCP). A brochure for the 2026‑28 MBA batch at IIM Lucknow instructs students to place the test report in a sealed envelope marked “confidential” for the student‑wellness committee only. A similar notice at IIT Goa emphasises that findings will not lead to disciplinary action.
The policy aligns with the Vision Document on Narcotics Control 2026-29 prepared by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The document labels drug misuse among college youth as a “growing health concern”.
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