## Policy Analysis Report: Amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), as published in the Gazette of India on November 16, 2022. The amendments, detailed in Notifications S.O. 5318(E), S.O. 5319(E), and S.O. 5320(E), add new substances (Brorphine, Metonitazene, and Eutylone) to the list of controlled substances under the Act. These additions impact manufacturers, distributors, and researchers dealing with these substances, imposing stricter regulations and controls. The amendments aim to address the abuse potential of these substances and align with international conventions.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative analysis of recent amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, based solely on the provided government policy text published on November 16, 2022. The purpose is to offer a clear understanding of the key changes and their potential implications.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This report analyzes *amendments* to the original Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act).
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the core objectives of these amendments are:
* To control newly identified narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
* To incorporate changes from the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971.
* To prevent the potential for abuse of these substances.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The amendments are likely driven by the emergence of new psychoactive substances with abuse potential. The text explicitly states the Central Government is "satisfied, on the basis of information and evidence which has become available to it, with respect to the nature and effect of and the scope for abuse" of the substances being added. Furthermore, the reference to the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, suggests an effort to align national regulations with international standards. The addition of specific small commercial quantities further suggests the desire to control distribution at the user level.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This section details the specific changes introduced by the amendments.
* **Notification S.O. 5318(E):** This notification declares Brorphine and Metonitazene, along with their salts and preparations, as manufactured drugs under the NDPS Act. This means that these substances are now subject to the Act's regulations regarding manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transportation, import, and export.
* **Notification S.O. 5319(E):** This notification adds Eutylone to the list of psychotropic substances specified in the Schedule to the NDPS Act. Specifically, it inserts "110ZZB Eutylone 1Benzod1,3dioxol5yl2 ethylaminobutan1one 11,3Benzodioxol5yl2 ethylaminobutan1one" after serial number 110ZZA. This inclusion brings Eutylone under the regulatory framework for psychotropic substances, impacting its production, distribution, and use.
* **Notification S.O. 5320(E):** This notification amends a previous notification (S.O. 1055 E, dated the 19th October, 2001) by adding Brorphine, Metonitazene and Eutylone to a table defining Small Commercial Quantity and Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substance International non-proprietary name INN:
* Brorphine: Small Quantity 0.10 gm, Commercial Quantity 5.00 gm
* Metonitazene: Small Quantity 0.50 gm, Commercial Quantity 25.00 gm
* Eutylone: Small Quantity 3.50 gm, Commercial Quantity 175.00 gm
This sets thresholds for small and commercial quantities, impacting sentencing and penalties for offenses involving these substances.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the directly affected target audience and stakeholders include:
* Pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors.
* Chemical suppliers.
* Researchers and laboratories working with these substances.
* Law enforcement agencies.
* Individuals who may be using or dealing in these substances illicitly.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, is the responsible agency, as indicated by the notification header.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendments are effective from the date of notification (November 16, 2022). No specific procedures are detailed within the text itself, but it can be inferred that law enforcement and regulatory agencies will need to update their protocols to include these newly controlled substances.
* As a result of S.O. 5320(E), the thresholds for small and commercial quantities can have an immediate impact on law enforcement and judicial processes.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes of these changes are:
* Reduced availability and abuse of Brorphine, Metonitazene, and Eutylone.
* Increased legal scrutiny and penalties for those involved in the illicit manufacture, distribution, or possession of these substances.
* Alignment of national drug control policies with international standards.
* Better ability of law enforcement to prosecute offenders dealing with these substances.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, detailed in Notifications S.O. 5318(E), S.O. 5319(E), and S.O. 5320(E), represent a significant step in addressing the evolving landscape of drug abuse. By adding Brorphine, Metonitazene, and Eutylone to the list of controlled substances and setting small/commercial quantity thresholds, the government aims to curb the illicit use of these substances and protect public health. These changes have significant implications for various stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, researchers, and law enforcement agencies. This policy will help reduce the availability of harmful drugs, potentially saving lives.
Key Entities Referenced
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985: An Indian legislation concerning narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. It is referenced multiple times as the basis for the notifications and amendments.
Central Government: The governing authority responsible for issuing the notifications and amendments related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Brorphine: A manufactured drug, specifically Bromophenylethylpiperidin4yl1,3dihydro2Himidazol2one, added to the list of controlled substances.
Metonitazene: A manufactured drug, specifically N,NDiethyl224methoxybenzyl5nitro1Hbenzodimidazole1ylethan1amine, added to the list of controlled substances.
Mukesh Sundriyal: Under Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Government of India, who signed the notifications.
United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971: An international treaty that influences the Central Government's decisions regarding psychotropic substances.
Eutylone: A psychotropic substance, specifically 1Benzod1,3dioxol5yl2 ethylaminobutan1one, added to the list of psychotropic substances.
New Delhi: The location where the notifications were issued.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-16112022-240322
xxxGIDHxxx
CG-DL-E-16112022-240322
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 5094] नई दिल्ली, बुधिार, निम्ब र 16, 2022/कार्तकथ 25, 1944
No. 5094] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022/KARTIKA 25, 1944
जित्त मत्ालं य
(रािस्ट्ि जिभाग)
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल् ली, 16 निम् बर, 2022
का.आ. 5318(अ).—केंद्र सरकार, स्ट्िापक औषजध और मनःप्रभािी पिार्थ अजधजनयम, 1985 (1985 का 61) की
धारा 2 के खंड (xi) के उपखंड (ख) म ें प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए, एतद्द्वारा जनम्नजलजखत पिार्,थ साल्ट् और इससे
बनी सामग्री को जनर्मथत औषजध घोजषत करती ह,ै अर्ाथतः—
(i) ब्रोर्फथन - 1-[1-[1-(4-ब्रोमोदफनाइल)एजर्ल]-पाइपररजडन-4-िाईएल]-1,3-डायहाइड्रो-2एच-
इजमडािोल-2-ऑन
(ii) मेटोजनटाजेन - एन,एन-डायर्ाइल-2-(2-(4-मेर्ोक्सीबेंजजल)-5-नाइरो-1एच-बेंिो[डी]इजमडाजोल-
1-िाईएल)एर्न-1-एमाइन
[फा. स.ं एन-12019/3/2021-एनसी-II]
मुकेि सुंिररयाल, अिर सजचि
7605 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(Department of Revenue)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 16th November, 2022
S.O. 5318(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (b) of clause (xi) of section 2 of the
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985), the Central Government hereby declares that the
following substance, salt and preparations thereof to be manufactured drugs, namely:—
(i) Brorphine - 1-[1-[1-(4-Bromophenyl)ethyl]-piperidin-4-yl]-1,3-dihydro-2H-imidazol-2-one
(ii) Metonitazene - N,N-Diethyl-2-(2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-1-yl)ethan-
1-amine
[F. No. N-12019/3/2021-NC-II]
MUKESH SUNDRIYAL, Under Secy.
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल् ली, 16 निम् बर, 2022
का.आ. 5319(अ).—िबदक केंद्र सरकार, िानकारी और प्रमाणों, िो इसके जलए उपलब्ध हो गया ह,ै प्रकृजत और
प्रभाि के संबंध म ें और जनम्नजलजखत पिार्ों (प्राकृजतक या ससंर्ेरटक) या प्राकृजतक सामग्री या दकसी भी साल्ट या इसके
िरुु पयोग की गुंिाइि के आधार पर ऐसे पिार्ों या सामजग्रयों की तैयारी, और ऐस े पिार्ों के संबंध म ें संिोधन और मनः
प्रभािी पिार्ों पर संयुि राष्ट्र के कन्िेंिन 1971 म ें िाजमल दकए गए बिलाि, दक जनम्नजलजखत पिार्ों या प्राकृजतक
सामजग्रयों या साल््स को िोड़ना आिश्यक ह ै या ऐसी तैयारी मािक पिार्ों की सूची म ें पिार् थ या ऐसी सामग्री के आधार
पर संतुष्ट ह ै िो स्ट्िापक औषजध और मनः प्रभािी पिार् थ अजधजनयम, 1985 (1985 के 61) (एतजश्मनपश्चात ् उि
अजधजनयम के रूप म ें यर्ा संिर्भथत) की अनुसूची म ेंजनर्िष्टथ ह;ै
अत:, अब, उि अजधजनयम की धारा 3 द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए, केंद्र सरकार एतद्वारा उि
अजधजनयम की अनुसूची म ें जिजनर्िष्टथ मनःप्रभािी पिार्ों की सूची म ें जनम्नजलजखत संिोधन करती ह,ै अर्ाथत ् :
उि अजधजनयम म,ें अनुसूची म,ें क्रम सं. 110ZZA, और उससे संबंजधत प्रजिजष्टयों के बाि जनम्नजलजखत
क्रम.संख्याओं और प्रजिजष्टयों के अंत: स्ट्र्ाजपत दकया गया ह,ै अर्ाथतः—
क्र. स.ं अतं राष्ट्रथ ीय गरै -स्ट्िाजमत्ि नाम अन्य गरै -स्ट्िाजमत्ि नाम रासायजनक नाम
“110ZZB यूटाइलोन 1-(बेंिो[डी][1,3]डाइऑक्सोल-5-िाईएल)-
2-(एजर्लैजमनो)बुटान-1-ऑन
1-(1,3-बेंिोडायऑक्सोल-5-िाईएल)-2-
(एजर्लैजमनो) बुटान-1-ऑन”
[फा. स.ं एन-12019/3/2021-एनसी- II]
मुकेि सुंिररयाल, अिर सजचि
रटप्पणी : निीली ििाओं और स्ट्िापक पिार् थ अजधजनयम, 1985 (1985 का 61) की अनुसूची म ें का.आ. 785(अ),
दिनांक 26 अक्टूबर, 1992 के तहत पहली बार संिोधन दकया गया र्ा और इसम ें बाि म ें संिोधन का.आ.
49(अ), दिनांक 8 िनिरी, 1993, का.आ. 39(अ), दिनांक 12 िनिरी, 1996, का.आ. 475(अ), दिनांक
11 िून, 2003, सा.का.जन. 621(अ), दिनांक 1 अगस्ट्त, 2003, सा.का.जन. 1(ई), दिनांक 2 िनिरी, 2004,
का.आ. 311 (ई), दिनांक 10 फरिरी, 2011, का.आ. , 2016, का.आ. क्रमांक 1383 (अ), दिनांक 2 मई,
2017, का.आ. 821(अ), दिनांक 27 फरिरी, 2018, का.आ. 1761(अ), दिनांक 26 अप्रैल, 2018 और
का.आ. 3448(अ) दिनांक 13 िुलाई, 2018, का.आ. 1352(अ), दिनाकं 13 माच थ 2019, का.आ. 1275(अ),
दिनांक 23 माच थ 2021 और का.आ. 4428(अ), दिनांक 22 जसतंबर 2022 के अंतगतथ दकया गया ह।ै[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत् : असाधारण 3
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 16th November, 2022
S.O. 5319(E).—Whereas the Central Government is satisfied, on the basis of information and evidence
which has become available to it, with respect to the nature and effect of and the scope for abuse of the following
substances (natural or synthetic) or natural material or any salt or preparation of such substances or materials, and the
modification with respect to such substances and the changes that have been incorporated in the United Nations
Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, that it is necessary to add the following substances or natural materials
or salts or preparation of such substances or materials in the list of psychotropic substances specified in the Schedule
to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act);
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the said Act, the Central Government
hereby makes the following further amendments in the list of psychotropic substances specified in the Schedule to the
said Act, namely:—
In the said Act, in the Schedule, after serial number 110ZZA and the entries relating thereto, the following
serial number and entries shall be inserted, namely:—
Sl. No. International Other Chemical name
non-proprietary names non-proprietary names
“110ZZB Eutylone 1-(Benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2-
(ethylamino)butan-1-one
1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-
(ethylamino)butan-1-one”
[F. No. N-12019/3/2021-NC-II]
MUKESH SUNDRIYAL, Under Secy.
Note: The Schedule to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985)
was first amended, vide number S.O. 785(E), dated the 26th October, 1992 and
subsequently amended, vide numbers S.O. 49(E), dated the 8th January, 1993, S.O. 39(E),
dated the 12th January, 1996, S.O. 475(E), dated the 11th June, 2003, G.S.R. 621(E),
dated the 1st August, 2003, G.S.R. 1(E), dated the 2nd January, 2004, S. O. 311 (E),
dated the 10th February, 2011, S. O. 376 (E), dated the 5th February, 2015, S. O. No. 2374
(E), dated the 12th July, 2016, S.O. No. 1383 (E), dated the 2nd May, 2017, S.O. 821(E),
dated the 27th February, 2018, S.O. 1761(E), dated the 26th April, 2018 and S.O. 3448(E)
dated the 13th July, 2018, S.O. 1352(E), dated the 13th March 2019, S.O. 1275(E),
dated the 23rd March 2021 and S.O. 4428(E), dated the 22nd September 2022.
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल् ली, 16 निम् बर, 2022
का.आ. 5320(अ).—केंद्र सरकार, स्ट्िापक औषजध और मनःप्रभािी पिार्थ अजधजनयम, 1985 (1985 का 61) की
धारा 2 के खंड (viiक) और (xxiiiक) के द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए, एतद्वारा संख्या का.आ. 1055 (अ),
दिनांक 19 अक्टूबर, 2001, के तहत भारत के रािपत्, भाग II, खंड 3, उप-खंड (ii) म ें प्रकाजित, भारत सरकार, जित्त
मंत्ालय, रािस्ट्ि जिभाग की अजधसूचना म ेंजनम्नजलजखत और आग ेसंिोधन करती ह,ै अर्ाथतः—
उि अजधसूचना म,ें ताजलका म,ें क्रम संख्या 238ZZW और इससे संबंध प्रजिजष्टयों के पश्चात जनम्नजलजखत क्रम
संख्याए ँ और प्रजिजष्टयों का समािेिन दकया िाएगा, अर्ाथतः—4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
क्र. स.ं स्ट्िापक औषजधयों अन्य गरै - रासायजनक नाम अल्प मात्ा िाजणजययक मात्ा
और मन:प्रभािी स्ट्िाजमत्ि नाम (ग्रा म)ें (ग्रा/दकग्रा म)ें
पिार्ों
(अतं राष्ट्रथ ीय गरै -
स्ट्िाजमत्ि नाम
(आईएनएन)) के
नाम
1 2 3 4 5 6
“238ZZX ब्रोर्फथन 1-[1-[1-(4- 0.10 ग्राम 5.00 ग्राम
ब्रोमोदफनाइल)एजर्ल]-
पाइपररजडन-4-िाईएल]-
1,3-डायहाइड्रो-2एच-
इजमडािोल-2-ऑन
238ZZY मेटोजनटाजेन एन,एन-डायर्ाइल-2-(2-(4- 0.50 ग्राम 25.00 ग्राम
मेर्ोक्सीबेंजजल)-5-नाइरो-
1एच-बेंिो[डी]इजमडाजोल-
1-िाईएल)एर्न-1-एमाइन
238ZZZ यूटाइलोन 1- 3.50 ग्राम 175.00 ग्राम
(बेंिो[डी][1,3]डाइऑक्सोल-
5-िाईएल)-2-
(एजर्लैजमनो)बुटान-1-ऑन
1-(1,3-बेंिोडायऑक्सोल-5-
िाईएल)-2-(एजर्लैजमनो)
बुटान-1-ऑन”
[फा. स.ं एन-12019/3/2021-एनसी- II]
मुकेि सुंिररयाल, अिर सजचि
रटप्पणी : मुख्या अजधसूचना संख्या का.आ. 1055 (अ), दिनांक 19 अक्टूबर, 2001 के तहत, भारत के रािपत्, भाग II,
खंड 3, उप-खंड (ii) में प्रकाजित दकया गया र्ा और तत्पश्चात ् संख्या का.आ. 2941 (अ), दिनांक 18 निम्बर,
2009, का.आ. 1430 (अ), दिनांक 21 िून, 2011, का.आ. 375 (अ), दिनांक 5 फरिरी, 2015, का.आ.
2375(अ), दिनाकं 12 िुलाई, 2016, का.आ. 384 (अ), दिनांक 2 मई, 2017, का.आ. 822(अ), दिनांक
27 फरिरी, 2018, का.आ. 1762(अ), दिनांक 26 अप्रैल, 2018, का.आ. 1351(अ), दिनांक 13 माच थ
2019, का.आ. 1276(अ), दिनांक 23 माच थ 2021 और का.आ. 4429(अ), दिनांक 22 जसतंबर 2022 के
अंतगतथ दकया गया ह।ै
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 16th November, 2022
S.O. 5320(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by clauses (viia) and (xxiiia) of section 2 of the Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985), the Central Government hereby makes the following
further amendments in the notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue,
published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide number S.O. 1055 (E), dated
the 19th October, 2001, namely:—
In the said notification, in the Table, after serial number 238 ZZW and the entries relating thereto, the
following serial numbers and entries shall be inserted, namely:—[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत् : असाधारण 5
S. No. Name of Other non- Chemical Name Small Commercial
Narcotic Drug proprietary Quantity Quantity
and name (in gm.) (in gm./ kg.)
Psychotropic
Substance
(International
non-
proprietary
name (INN))
1 2 3 4 5 6
“238ZZX Brorphine 1-[1-[1-(4- 0.10 gm 5.00 gm
Bromophenyl)ethyl]-
piperidin-4-yl]-1,3-dihydro-
2H-imidazol-2-one
238 ZZY Metonitazene N,N-Diethyl-2-(2-(4- 0.50 gm 25.00 gm
methoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-
benzo[d]imidazole-1-
yl)ethan-1-amine
238 ZZZ Eutylone 1-(Benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5- 3.50 gm 175.00 gm
yl)-2-(ethylamino)butan-1-
one
1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-
(ethylamino)butan-1-one”
[F. No. N-12019/3/2021-NC-II]
MUKESH SUNDRIYAL, Under Secy.
Note: The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-
section (ii), vide number S.O. 1055 (E), dated the 19th October, 2001 and subsequently amended vide numbers
S.O. 2941 (E), dated the 18th November, 2009, S.O. 1430 (E), dated the 21st June, 2011, S.O. 375 (E) dated the
5th February, 2015, S. O. 2375(E), dated the 12th July, 2016, S.O. 384 (E), dated the 2nd May, 2017,
S.O. 822(E), dated the 27th February, 2018, S.O. 1762(E), dated the 26th April, 2018, S.O. 1351(E), dated the
13th March 2019, S.O. 1276(E), dated the 23rd March 2021 and S.O. 4429, dated the 22nd September 2022.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.