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Current Affairs Pulse

Miscellaneous3 Apr 2026

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: India's National Drive Against Substance Abuse

8 sections below — scroll or usetocto jump
  • 1

    Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) is a national initiative launched by the Indian government to combat substance abuse.

  • 2

    It adopts a multi-pronged strategy focusing on prevention, awareness generation, and rehabilitation services.

  • 3

    The Abhiyan aims to reduce drug demand across the country, particularly in vulnerable districts and among youth.

  • 4

    It is a crucial program addressing a significant social issue with implications for public health and national development.

  • Launch Date: August 15, 2020
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
  • Target Areas: Initially 272 most vulnerable districts identified by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
  • Core Pillars: Awareness generation, focus on youth and educational institutions, community outreach, treatment and rehabilitation services.
India faces a significant challenge from substance abuse, exacerbated by its geographical proximity to major illicit drug producing regions like the 'Golden Crescent' and 'Golden Triangle'. The National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India (2019) highlighted the alarming prevalence of drug use, particularly among youth and in certain states. This necessitated a comprehensive, national-level intervention to address both the supply and demand aspects of drug abuse, leading to the launch of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
Substance abuse has severe socio-economic consequences, impacting individual health, family stability, and national productivity. It contributes to crime, mental health issues, and the spread of infectious diseases. NMBA is vital for fostering a healthier society, protecting the youth, and achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by reducing drug-related harm. Its success is crucial for India's demographic dividend and overall human development.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE)

Nodal Ministry responsible for policy formulation, funding, and overall implementation of NMBA.

Head: Union Minister of Social Justice and EmpowermentHQ: New Delhi

National Institute of Social Defence (NISD)

Autonomous body under MoSJE, acts as a central agency for training, research, and documentation in the field of social defence, including drug abuse prevention.

Head: DirectorHQ: New Delhi

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA)

To create awareness about the ill effects of substance abuse, provide treatment, and facilitate rehabilitation of affected individuals.

Key: Multi-pronged approach involving awareness campaigns, focus on educational institutions, community participation, establishment of de-addiction centres, and use of technology (NMBA portal, mobile app, toll-free helpline).

Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse

Provides financial assistance to NGOs for running Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs) and other drug prevention programs.

Key: Supports de-addiction and rehabilitation services, often complementing the awareness and outreach efforts of NMBA.

Exam Relevance

upsc

GS Paper 1 (Social Issues), GS Paper 2 (Governance, Social Justice, Government Policies and Interventions)

ssc

General Awareness (Government Schemes, Social Welfare)

banking

General Awareness (Government Schemes, Social Issues)

railway

General Awareness (Government Schemes, Social Issues)

defence

General Awareness (Social Issues, National Security implications of drug trafficking)

Previously Asked (PYQs)

UPSC_PRELIMS 2023

Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy: 1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women. 2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child-birth. 3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents. 4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Answer: Only three

UPSC_PRELIMS 2022

With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: 1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it. 2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately. 3. It has seamless portability across the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: 3 only

UPSC_PRELIMS 2022

Consider the following statements : 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization. 2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in Government of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: 2 only

Expected Questions

  • UPSC may ask: 'Consider the following statements regarding the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan...' testing its objectives, target beneficiaries, and implementation strategies.
  • SSC/Banking may ask: 'Which ministry is the nodal agency for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan?' or 'When was the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan launched?'
  • Conceptual questions might explore the socio-economic impact of substance abuse or the challenges in implementing such a national program.

historyTopic Frequency

High for UPSC (conceptual and factual), Medium-High for other exams (factual).

Key Terms

Substance Abuse

Harmful use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.

Demand Reduction

Strategies aimed at reducing the desire or need for illicit drugs within a population.

Rehabilitation

Process of restoring an individual to a normal or near-normal state of health or ability after addiction.

Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs)

Facilities providing comprehensive services for de-addiction and rehabilitation.

priority_highMust Remember

  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
  • Launch Year: 2020.
  • Key Pillars: Awareness, Treatment, Rehabilitation, Community Participation.
  • Target Group: Youth, women, educational institutions, and vulnerable districts.

tips_and_updatesExam Tips

  • Understand the multi-pronged approach of NMBA (prevention, treatment, rehabilitation).
  • Relate NMBA to broader social issues like public health, crime, and youth welfare.
  • Be aware of the role of technology (apps, helplines) in its implementation.
Question 1 of 5Score: 0/0
Factual

Which of the following ministries is the nodal agency for the implementation of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan?

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