Date: 2026-03-29Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar chaired the 5th Meeting of the National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation (NCCDR)
**Executive Summary**
On March 29, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar chaired the 5th meeting of the National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation (NCCDR) in New Delhi. The meeting reviewed the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) while outlining a new Strategic Action Plan for 2026-29. Key outcomes include the transition to NAPDDR 2.0 and a mandate for multi-stakeholder coordination to scale up specialized rehabilitation services.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Action and Planning**
* **Strategic Action Plan 2026-29:** Introduction of a new three-year strategic roadmap for drug demand reduction.
* **NAPDDR 2.0:** Implementation of the next phase of the National Action Plan, highlighting previous achievements and future key features.
* **Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA):** National intensification of the campaign to increase awareness and social impact.
**Service Expansion and Standardization**
* **Targeted Facilities:** Scaling up de-addiction and rehabilitation centers with a specific focus on dedicated facilities for women and children.
* **Standardized Operations:** Requirement for all services to strictly follow established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
* **Mapping and Integration:** Execution of a comprehensive mapping exercise of all existing facilities across different Ministries and Departments to ensure better collaboration.
**Prevention and Monitoring**
* **Youth Outreach:** Intensifying preventive activities specifically targeting children and students in higher education institutions.
* **Monitoring Framework:** Establishment of a robust mechanism to monitor treatment, rehabilitation services, and demand reduction activities.
* **Operational Synergy:** Holding NMBA Committee and NCORD (Narcotics Coordination Mechanism) meetings in tandem at state and district levels to address both supply and demand reduction.
**Impact Analysis**
**Educational Institutions**
**Impact**
Higher education institutions are identified as critical hubs for drug awareness and prevention activities.
**Action Required**
Actively engage students and faculty in drug awareness programs and intensify preventive activities on campuses.
**States and Union Territories**
**Impact**
Local administrations are now required to integrate their drug control mechanisms more closely.
**Action Required**
Coordinate NMBA and NCORD meetings simultaneously at the state and district levels to address supply and demand issues holistically.
**National Consultative Committee Members**
**Impact**
Members, including Vice Chancellors and NGO representatives, are expected to take a more proactive role in policy feedback.
**Action Required**
Regularly share views, suggestions, and feedback regarding national drug demand reduction efforts.
**Line Ministries and Departments**
**Impact**
Increased need for inter-departmental transparency regarding existing rehabilitation infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Participate in the comprehensive mapping of facilities and integrate services under a unified monitoring framework.
Key Entities Referenced
National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation (NCCDR): The primary committee responsible for advising on policies and strategies for drug demand reduction and rehabilitation in India.
National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR): The central government's comprehensive framework and policy document for reducing drug abuse and its impact.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA): A flagship national initiative aimed at creating awareness and a drug-free India through mass mobilization and community outreach.
Strategic Action Plan for 2026-29: A proposed policy document outlining the long-term goals and operational strategies for de-addiction and rehabilitation.
Narcotics Coordination Mechanism (NCORD): A high-level platform designed to ensure effective coordination between various central and state agencies to address drug supply and demand.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Union Minister of Social Justice and
Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar chaired the 5th
Meeting of the National Consultative Committee
on De-addiction and Rehabilitation (NCCDR)
Posted On: 29 MAR 2026 8:03PM by PIB Delhi
The 5th Meeting of the National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation (NCCDR)
was held today at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Dr.
Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The meeting was attended by Shri B.L. Verma, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment,
Shri Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJ&E), Smt. Pratima
Gupta, Deputy Director General, DoSJ&E, Senior officers of the Ministry, Ex-Officio Members from
various line Ministries/Departments, representatives from States and Union Territories, Non-Official
Members including Vice Chancellors of Central Universities, representatives from NGOs and different
stakeholders on the subject.
Deputy Director General Smt. Pratima Gupta presented the key agenda items, highlighting the
achievements under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), Nasha Mukt
Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA), the key features of NAPDDR 2.0, and the proposed Strategic Action Plan for
2026-29.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Virendra Kumar urged all members of the National Consultative Committee
to actively and regularly share their views, suggestions, and feedback on this critical national issue of drug
demand reduction.
The meeting witnessed detailed discussions on several important issues, including:
1. Strengthening Preventive Efforts: Emphasis was placed on intensifying preventive activities,
particularly targeting children and youth, and actively engaging students in higher education
institutions for drug awareness and prevention.
2. Expansion of De-addiction and Rehabilitation Services: The need to significantly scale up
dedicated de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities across the country, with special focus on setting
up centres exclusively for women and children, and ensuring all services follow standardized
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
3. Mapping and Integration of Facilities: Comprehensive mapping of existing de-addiction and
rehabilitation facilities available under different Ministries and Departments, along with greater
collaboration and integration.
4. Robust Monitoring Framework: Establishment of a strong and effective monitoring
mechanism for all drug demand reduction activities, as well as for treatment and rehabilitation
services.5. Scaling up Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan(NMBA): Further expansion and intensification of
NMBA activities across the nation to create wider awareness and impact.
6. Synergy between Key Platforms: It was discussed that meetings of the Nasha MuktBharat
Abhiyan Committee and NCORD (Narcotics Coordination Mechanism) should be held in tandem
to holistically address both supply reduction and demand reduction issues at the state and district
levels.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to strengthen the fight against the drug menace through
coordinated, multi-stakeholder efforts involving the Central Government, States/UTs, educational
institutions, and civil society.
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