Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Reaches 35.84 Crore People: Six-Year Achievements and Proposed Three-Tier Monitoring Mechanism

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The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 15 August 2020, has reached over 35.84 crore people as of 10 November 2026, the Ministry said in a backgrounder. The campaign, which began in 272 districts identified as most vulnerable to substance use, was extended to all districts nationwide on 15 August 2023. It is the flagship awareness programme under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), a centrally sponsored scheme with central sector components.

The outreach includes more than 14.33 crore youth and 11.32 crore women. Over 33.57 lakh awareness activities have been held in educational institutions. Persons seeking treatment and counselling under NAPDDR rose from 2.08 lakh in 2020-21 to over 9.11 lakh in 2025-26. More than 2 lakh citizens have enrolled as Nasha Mukti Mitr. The Ministry described the six-year change as a shift from organisational involvement to community involvement, making the campaign a Jan Andolan.

What is the Narcotics Control Bureau's role in NMBA?

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was set up in 1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, as the apex federal agency to combat drug trafficking and coordinate with state agencies. The NCORD (Narco-Coordination Centre) mechanism was established in 2016 and restructured in 2019 into a four-tier system from apex to district level to enhance coordination between enforcement and demand reduction agencies. The NCB provided the inputs used to identify the 272 most vulnerable districts for the initial launch of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. The apex level meeting of NCORD, chaired by the Union Home Minister, reviews the progress of both supply-side enforcement and demand reduction efforts under NAPDDR and NMBA.

What is the constitutional and legal basis for the campaign?

Article 47 of the Constitution directs the State to endeavour to prohibit the consumption, except for medicinal purposes, of intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health. The Ministry has run a scheme for the prevention of alcoholism and substance abuse since 1985-86. The first National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India, conducted by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of AIIMS, New Delhi, in 2018 and released in February 2019, found that over 7 crore individuals were affected by substance use disorder, including nearly 1.2 crore children and 58 lakh women. About 16 crore people consumed alcohol, of whom more than 5.7 crore needed help for harmful or dependent use.

How will the three-tier monitoring mechanism work?

A three-tier monitoring and coordination mechanism has been suggested to institutionalise drug demand reduction efforts. The State/UT-level Steering and Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, will meet quarterly and oversee all initiatives. The District-level Drug Demand Reduction Committee, chaired by the District Collector or Deputy Commissioner, will meet monthly and conduct mandatory quarterly inspections. The Block-level Drug Demand Reduction Committee, chaired by the Block Development Officer, will meet and conduct field inspections monthly. The committees will coordinate across departments including Social Welfare, Health, Home, Youth Affairs, and Education, and will monitor treatment facilities such as Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts, District De-addiction Centres, and Addiction Treatment Facilities.

What are the next steps for the campaign?

The second National Survey on substance use is expected in 2027 and will provide district-level estimates for targeted interventions. The Hon’ble Home Minister, while chairing the 9th Apex Level Meeting of NCORD, directed the formulation of a three-year action plan aimed at reducing drug demand. Strengthening treatment facilities, skill development for recovered users, and integration with other helplines and telemedicine services are expected to be key priorities.