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Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985

Social Justice & Development

  • PYQs4
  • Articles1
I

Background

The NDPS Act is a cornerstone of India's legal framework against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, addressing significant social, health, economic, and internal security challenges. Understanding its provisions, enforcement, and impact is crucial for governance and social justice.

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, is the principal legislation in India that prohibits the production, possession, sale, purchase, transport, storage, and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, except for medical or scientific purposes. It aims to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking by providing stringent penalties.

II

Facts & tables

Purpose
To consolidate and amend the law relating to narcotic drugs, and to make stringent provisions for the control and regulation of operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Key Provisions
Prohibits cultivation, production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport, warehousing, use, consumption, import, export of specified substances.
Enforcement Body
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) established under the Act, along with other central and state agencies like DRI and State Police.
Penalties
Prescribes severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines, varying based on the quantity of the substance involved.
Static syllabus anchors
Type Reference
Conceptual area Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
Institutions & roles
Body Role
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Enforces
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Enforces
State Police Enforces
III

Prelims angle

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

  • Principal law against drug abuse and trafficking in India.
  • Prohibits production, possession, sale, transport of specified substances.
  • Establishes Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
  • Prescribes stringent penalties for violations.
  • Addresses social, health, and security dimensions.
High-confidence PYQ links
Year Framing tags
2026 Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
2024 Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
2021 Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
2017 Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Timeline

  1. Welfare Schemes & Social Policies

    Conceptual area

  2. Prelims 2017

    Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

  3. Prelims 2021

    Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

  4. Prelims 2024

    Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

  5. Prelims 2026

    Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

  6. DRI busts clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing facility in Ankleshwar, Gujarat and seizes Rs. 21 lakh; Three arrested

    India's primary law against drug trafficking and abuse, establishing prohibitions, penalties, and enforcement mechanisms for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

See also

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985

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