PIB Tracker'Begin with the individual': the Vice-President's pitch for a drug-free India
At a Nasha Mukt Bharat conclave in Bengaluru, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan called on schools, families, doctors, police and civil society to join forces against substance abuse — framing it as a threat not just to health but to productivity, social cohesion and national development.
What happened
- Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan called on educational institutions, families, healthcare professionals, law-enforcement agencies and civil society to work together to build a 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' (drug-free India).
- He said the fight against substance abuse must begin with individuals and grow into a nationwide movement.
- Addressing the Nasha Mukt Bharat Conclave — organised by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) with the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Disha Bodh Foundation — he said substance abuse threatens not just individual health but also education, productivity, social cohesion and national development.
- Students pledged to make Bengaluru, Karnataka and ultimately India drug-free.
- He stressed a 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' is about promoting healthy choices, informed decisions and support systems — a demand-reduction, whole-of-society approach.
For Prelims
- Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA, 2020): The demand-reduction flagship of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for a drug-free India — focusing on awareness, community outreach, counselling and de-addiction (complementing supply-side enforcement).
- Three-pronged drug strategy: Supply reduction (NCB/enforcement under the NDPS Act), demand reduction (NMBA/awareness, rehab) and harm reduction — a balanced approach.
- NCB: The Narcotics Control Bureau (1986, under the MHA) — the apex drug-law-enforcement and coordination agency; here partnering an awareness conclave.
- NDPS Act, 1985: The principal law on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; the NCORD mechanism coordinates anti-drug efforts across agencies.
- MANAS helpline (1933): A national toll-free anti-narcotics helpline for reporting and seeking help — part of demand reduction.
- Why demand reduction: Tackling addiction needs schools, families, health systems and civil society — not enforcement alone; it protects youth, productivity and social cohesion.
- Don't confuse: Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (demand reduction, Social Justice Ministry) is distinct from NCB enforcement (MHA); both work under the broader NDPS/NCORD framework.
For UPSC: At a Nasha Mukt Bharat conclave, the VP urged a whole-of-society fight against substance abuse — demand reduction beginning with individuals. Anchor the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (demand reduction, Social Justice Ministry), the supply/demand/harm-reduction framework, NCB and the NDPS Act/NCORD, the MANAS helpline, and the youth/social-cohesion stakes.
What it is NOT: Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (demand reduction, under the Social Justice Ministry) is distinct from the NCB's supply-side enforcement (under the MHA). A drug-free India is framed as healthy choices and support systems — a whole-of-society effort, not enforcement alone.
For Mains
Syllabus: GS3.19 · GS2.13 · Linkage L1
Anchor
Tackling the drug menace through demand reduction — a whole-of-society effort to protect youth, health and social cohesion.
Substantiation (data)
Nasha Mukt Bharat Conclave (Bengaluru, RGUHS + NCB + Disha Bodh Foundation); VP's call to schools/families/doctors/police/civil society; student pledge for a drug-free India.
Exemplification
Cite the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, NCB partnerships and the MANAS helpline as demand-reduction complements to NDPS enforcement.
Problematisation
Rising youth substance abuse, stigma, gaps in de-addiction infrastructure and coordinating many stakeholders challenge demand reduction.
Way-forward
Integrate schools, families, health and police, expand counselling/rehab and MANAS, and pair demand reduction with NCB-led supply enforcement (NCORD).
Position
Government stance: a drug-free India needs a whole-of-society, demand-reduction movement beginning with individuals, alongside strong enforcement.
Deploys into: Drug menace & internal security (demand reduction/Nasha Mukt Bharat) · NCB/NDPS & NCORD · youth, health & social cohesion · de-addiction (GS3.19 organised crime & drug menace, GS2.13 health & social welfare).
Vice President's Secretariat · 2026-06-28 · PRID 2278590 · PIB source ↗