Amit Shah Confirms Centre Reviewing NDPS Act With States’ Suggestions

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Centre is “relooking” at the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act to address loopholes exploited by drug trafficking networks, and has sought suggestions from states to strengthen the legal framework. He made the remarks while addressing the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in the national capital.

Shah said the government is working on a more stringent and coordinated approach to curb drug trafficking while maintaining a distinction between offenders and victims. He stressed the need for a “ruthless approach” against traffickers and suppliers, while advocating a sympathetic and rehabilitative approach for those affected by addiction.

Highlighting enforcement trends, the Home Minister said the scale of drug seizures has increased significantly in the past decade. He noted that between 2004 and 2014, around 26 lakh kilograms of synthetic drugs were seized, whereas between 2014 and 2026, the figure rose to 1.18 crore kilograms. He also stated that the value of seized drugs increased from approximately ₹40,000 crore in the earlier period to about ₹1.84 lakh crore in the later years, reflecting enhanced enforcement effectiveness.

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Shah said the Ministry of Finance is currently reviewing the NDPS Act and urged Directors General of Police and Chief Secretaries to submit their suggestions to the Centre. He emphasised the importance of real-time information sharing through Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) digital platforms and called for stronger coordination among enforcement agencies across states.

During the meeting, the Home Minister unveiled a three-pronged strategy against drug trafficking—“detect, disrupt and destroy”—and outlined a broader framework built on enforcement, intelligence sharing, precursor control, demand reduction, and institutional capacity building. He also urged states to make NCORD meetings more outcome-oriented, with effective follow-up on decisions taken.

Shah said India is at a critical juncture in its fight against narcotics, stating that the next three years would be decisive in determining whether the country overcomes the drug menace. He called for a whole-of-society approach involving government agencies, community leaders, youth and families to build a drug-free India.

The NCORD meeting was attended by representatives from 44 central ministries and departments, along with state officials and drug enforcement agencies in hybrid mode. The session also included the release of a three-year vision document (2026–2029) on narcotics control, the launch of the Narcotics Control Bureau’s annual report 2025, and the inauguration of new zonal offices in Jammu and Guwahati.

In addition, Shah e-inaugurated a nationwide Drug Disposal Fortnight Campaign under which over 2 lakh kilograms of seized narcotics, valued at around ₹6,000 crore, will be destroyed by central and state agencies as part of the government’s intensified anti-drug drive.

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