Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985
The NDPS Act, 1985 is India's principal legislation governing offences related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. It classifies drug offences by quantity (small, intermediate, commercial) with corresponding punishments — small quantity attracts up to 1 year rigorous imprisonment; commercial quantity carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years, extendable to 20 years. The Act has been amended four times (1988, 2001, 2014, 2021). The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), established under the Act, is the central coordinating agency for drug law enforcement. Under the Act, the burden of proof is reversed for possession-linked offences — the accused must prove innocent intent once possession is established.
- NDPS Act enacted: 1985; major amendments: 1988, 2001, 2014, 2021
- Offence classification: small quantity → up to 1 year RI; commercial quantity → 10–20 years mandatory RI
- Enforcement agency: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), established under Section 4 of the NDPS Act
- Reversed burden of proof: Section 35 — consciousness of guilt presumed for possession
- MHA directive targets: foreign nationals convicted of petty (small quantity) NDPS offences
- 2024 arrests: 660 foreign nationals for drug offences
● Tracked since February 24, 2026 · last seen June 28, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes