Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to inaugurate the third national conference of chiefs of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on 22 September 2026 in New Delhi. The two-day conference is being organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and will focus on the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-29).
Anti-Narcotics Task Force
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force is a specialised enforcement unit created by states and Union Territories to coordinate action against narcotics offences. ANTFs work with police, customs, central agencies, and other enforcement bodies on drug interdiction, intelligence sharing, and investigation of trafficking networks.
Narcotics Control Bureau and Legal Framework
The Narcotics Control Bureau is the nodal drug law enforcement agency of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It functions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, which regulates narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and related offences in India.
Conference Agenda and Technical Sessions
The conference theme is “United Resolve, Shared Responsibility”. Eight technical sessions are planned on institutional mechanisms, dismantling drug trafficking networks, demand reduction, rehabilitation, enforcement effectiveness, precursor and synthetic drugs, illicit cultivation, and darknet and cryptocurrency investigations.
Heads of ANTFs from 36 States and Union Territories are attending the conference along with representatives of other government departments and stakeholders. The event also includes discussions on supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction measures.
Important Facts for Exams
- The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 is the principal law governing narcotics control in India.
- The Narcotics Control Bureau was established in 1986 as India’s central drug law enforcement agency.
- Darknet platforms and cryptocurrencies are used in some narcotics trafficking cases for concealment and payment.
- Precursor chemicals are substances used in the manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Drug-Free India Target
India has set a target of becoming drug-free by 2029 through coordinated enforcement, prevention, rehabilitation, and action against narcotics networks. The government aims to dismantle 100 national and international narcotics networks and bring back 100 fugitives by March 2029.
NCB Outreach Measures
During the conference, Amit Shah is also scheduled to release television commercials for drug awareness. He is also set to lay the foundation stones for new NCB zonal offices in Lucknow and Dehradun.
