India Targets to be Drug-Free Nation by 2029
Govt Seizes Narcotics Worth ₹1 Lakh Crore+, asks States to draw 2026–29 roadmap; digital tools, forensics to boost convictions
- Government sets goal to make India drug-free by 2029
- ₹1 lakh crore-plus worth of drugs seized between 2021 and 2025 (till Nov)
- Three-year roadmap (2026–29) with time-bound reviews planned
- Tech platforms, financial tracking and forensics strengthened
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 4th Feb: The Government of India has intensified its crackdown on the drug menace, setting an ambitious target to make the country drug-free by 2029 and asking all stakeholders to prepare a three-year roadmap (2026–29) with a time-bound review mechanism.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the strategy adopts a whole-of-government approach to dismantle the drug network from source to distribution, while simultaneously addressing drug abuse.
According to data reported to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), law enforcement agencies seized massive quantities of narcotics between 2021 and 2025 (up to November), with the total value exceeding ₹1 lakh crore. Drug seizures stood at 16.09 lakh kg worth ₹25,241 crore in 2021, 12.53 lakh kg worth ₹19,922 crore in 2022, 13.89 lakh kg worth ₹17,179 crore in 2023, 13.30 lakh kg worth ₹27,525 crore in 2024, and 11.85 lakh kg worth ₹16,927 crore in 2025 so far.
To improve conviction rates and track financial trails linked to drug trafficking, the government has rolled out multiple technology-driven initiatives. These include the e-Sakshya portal, which enables police to digitally record crime scenes, search and seizure activities through mobile devices, ensuring uniformity in investigations across States.
The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) interlinks police stations nationwide for investigation, analytics and tracking, while the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) provides authorised access to financial records, bank data and suspicious transaction reports to trace money flows linked to narcotics.
The Minister said the Sahyog Portal, operated by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, enables coordinated enforcement against virtual digital asset platforms, facilitating secure data sharing, asset freezing and tracking of proceeds from drug-related cyber crimes. In addition, the FINEX portal of the Financial Intelligence Unit helps flag suspicious transactions related to drug trafficking and money laundering.
Strengthening forensic capabilities, the NCB has partnered with the National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, to tackle darknet-enabled trafficking and new psychoactive substances using advanced forensic tools, AI and drone-based techniques. A similar collaboration has been established with Rashtriya Raksha University to enhance research, training and technology development in narcotics control.
The Minister said these coordinated measures underline the Centre’s commitment to eliminating drug trafficking networks, boosting convictions and protecting youth, as India moves decisively towards its goal of becoming a drug-free nation by 2029.
