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Government has strengthened inter-ministerial and inter-agency coordination through Narco-Coordination (NCORD) mechanism. It provides a structured, institutionalized   platform   for   coordination   among   Central Ministries, State Governments and enforcement agencies for monitoring drug trafficking, precursor diversion, demand reduction and rehabilitation, resulting in improved enforcement outcomes and intelligence-sharing. NCORD has been consistently active and functional at the Apex, Executive, State and District levels. So far, 9 Apex NCORD meetings and 6 Executive NCORD meetings have been held to guide policy formulation, enhance inter-ministerial coordination and review the overall narcotics control framework. At the operational level, 253 State NCORD meetings and 12,471 District NCORD meetings have been conducted across the country, enabling coordinated enforcement action, intelligence sharing and regular monitoring of drug trafficking trends at the grassroots level. These meetings have strengthened cooperation among agencies, facilitated joint operations and supported focused interventions against drug trafficking networks operating across States.

Government has taken various steps for inter-agency coordination between the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), State Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTF) and Border Guarding Forces to curb cross-border and inter-state drug smuggling, some of which are as under: -

1. Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has been established in all States/UTs, which also serves as NCORD secretariats for local enforcement.
2. Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) has been set up at the Centre and State level to oversee significant drug seizure investigations.
3. NCB collaborates with other agencies like Navy, Coast Guard, Border Security Force, and State ANTFs to carry out joint anti-drug operations.
4. A task force on Darknet and Crypto-Currency has been set up under the MAC mechanism with a focus on monitoring all platforms facilitating Narco-trafficking, sharing of inputs on drug trafficking amongst Agencies/MAC members, interception of drug networks, continuous capturing of trends, modus operandi & nodes with regular database updates and review of related rules & laws.
5. To enhance coordination with State Authorities, facilitate real-time intelligence sharing, for ensuring effective operational efficiency and to improve the geographical footprint of the bureau, NCB has established Zonal Units in key border areas such as Srinagar, Siliguri, Agartala and Itanagar.
6. The Government has approved establishment of Field Units of the NCB at Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), Ferozepur (Punjab), Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), Port Blair (Andamans & Nicobar Island), Dimapur (Nagaland), Aizwal (Mizoram), Sriganganagar (Rajasthan), Madurai (Tamilnadu), Mangalore (Karnataka) and Nagpur (Maharashtra) for proactive enforcement and effective coordination.

Furthermore, 4 Regional Office headed by Deputy Director General (Joint Secretary Level) has been established at Amritsar, Guwahati, Chennai and Ahmadabad to facilitate the coordination among Central and State agencies, Border Guarding Forces, etc.

7. Border Guarding Forces and Railway Protection Force are empowered under the NDPS Act for enforcement at borders and rail routes.

The Government has implemented a centralized digital database, namely National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAAN), developed by the NCB in collaboration with the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS).

The NIDAAN portal integrates data of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) offenders arrested by all Drug Law Enforcement Agencies across the country, including information such as identity details, photographs, fingerprints, case particulars and court-related information. NIDAAN picks its data from all India E Prisons and the database of NCB. The database currently has 9.50 lakh searchable data of arrested and convicted persons under NDPS Act. This database is accessible up to the Police Station level and to authorized users of State/ UT Police and Crime Law Enforcement     Agencies (CLEAs).    NIDAAN     facilitates     and    assists investigating agencies in opposing bail, seeking cancellation of bail, monitoring habitual offenders, and supports preparation of proposals under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988, thereby strengthening coordinated and proactive enforcement action.

The Government has approved a scheme for Modernization of Forensic Capacities under which Rs. 420 crores have been approved for the component of Modernization/ Upgradation of Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) in States/ Union territories. Further, under the scheme “Assistance to States & UTs for Narcotics Control”, financial assistance is being provided to eligible States for strengthening enforcement capabilities for combating illicit trafficking in NDPS substances.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E) is the Nodal Ministry for Drug Demand Reduction in the country. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) and National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) is being implemented by MoSJ&E throughout the country in close coordination with State Government/ Union Territories/ Non-Government Organisations and Voluntary Organisations, Government Hospitals etc. Some of the measures taken under NMBA and NAPDDR and other agencies for public awareness, rehabilitation support for citizens affected by the growing menace of substance use are as under: -

(i)    NMBA being implemented in all districts of the country. Through various activities undertaken on ground has reached out to more-than 25.87 crore people including 9.32 crore youth, 6.35 crore women and 16.07 lakh educational institutions.

(ii)   Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) have been signed with Spiritual organizations to support NMBA and conduct mass awareness activities.

(iii)   Government is providing financial assistance to 349 Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs), 45 Community based Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers, 76 Outreach and Drop In Centers (ODICs), 154 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs), 145 District De-addiction Centres (DDACs) across the country.

(iv)   A Toll-free Helpline No.14446 for de-addiction is operated for providing primary counseling and immediate assistance to persons seeking help.

(v)    Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra (MANAS)- A 24x7 toll-free helpline (1933) has been established to report drug-related issues via calls, SMS, chatbot, email, or web.

(vi)   To reduce demand, NCB has initiated Mission SPANDAN. MoU has been signed with 05 organizations to tackle drug abuse & addiction to Psychotropic substance through spiritual awareness & collective action.

 (vii) NCB signed a MoU with Central Board of Secondary        Education on 03.09.2025. The objective of the MoU is to strengthen cooperation in the field of awareness    program against drug abuse in CBSE affiliated schools.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

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