Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (September 6, 2026) said the Narendra Modi government has prepared a roadmap to make India drug-free by 2029, asserting that a drug-free youth population would lead to the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Drugs-free youth crucial for developed India, says PM Modi, launches campaign The Centre has adopted a coordinated, nationwide strategy to dismantle the entire narcotics network, from drug trafficking to financing, while also focusing on rehabilitation, as part of its goal of achieving a 'Drug-Free India' by 2029, he said.
“It is Narendra Modi’s objective that drug-free youth power will lead to Viksit Bharat in 2047,” Mr.
Shah said at a press conference after chairing a high-level meeting on narcotics attended by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and officials of the Union Home Ministry and the State government.
Shah inaugurates new Goa BJP headquarters, event curtailed over Delhi building collapse “Before 2014, the fight against narcotics was largely conducted in small units and isolation.
Agencies were often satisfied catching small-time accused.
Our government is making the fight a national security priority,” he said.
In 2019, a four-tier National Coordination Committee for Countering Drug Trafficking (NCORD) mechanism was created at the executive, State and district levels to ensure coordinated action against the drug menace.
“Dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs) have been constituted in all States and Union Territories, and local police have been linked with the national strategy,” Shah said.
He said a Joint Coordination Committee was also formed in 2019 to enable central agencies and State governments to take joint decisions against major drug networks, their international connections and operational gaps.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been strengthened by reorganising its cadre and enhancing its manpower, zonal presence and operational capabilities, Mr.
Shah said, while emphasising that the fight against drugs was not just limited to enforcement.
The government has linked awareness, treatment, counselling, rehabilitation and livelihood opportunities with the anti-narcotics campaign, he pointed out, adding that the 1933 MANAS helpline has been introduced to support persons with drug addiction.
Four-pillared approach The government's three-year roadmap to a drug-free India is based on a four-pillared approach to destroy narcotic networks, Mr.
Shah said.
"These pillars include intelligence and operation-based enforcement, control on synthetic drugs, demand and harm reduction and creation of capacity and coordination," he explained.
Mr.
Shah said the Centre has a target of dismantling 100 national and international drug networks by March 2029 and bringing back 100 fugitives to the country.
By March 2027, there will be end-to-end visibility of the narcotics supply chain, while at least 75 secret laboratories will be destroyed in 2026, he said.
What is the Drug-Free Youth for Viksit Bharat campaign? | Explained He said the government has also adopted a mission-mode approach to bring back fugitives hiding abroad.
Between July 2019 and July 2026, as many as 274 wanted or absconding criminals were brought back to India from 36 countries, he said.
Over the past three years, 401 Red Corner Notices have been issued, including 182 up to July 2026, Mr.
He said more than 1,400 Central and State agencies have been connected through Interpol, facilitating faster information sharing.
Between 2019 and 2026, assets worth ₹17,874 crore belonging to fugitives were attached, while ₹18,762 crore was recovered or restored, the Union Home Minister informed.
Internal security Mr.
Shah also said that the government’s internal security strategy has succeeded in addressing three long-standing challenges—terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in the Northeast and left-wing extremism.
Jammu and Kashmir is on the path of progress and development after the decline of terrorism, which is “gradually approaching zero”, he said, adding that the sentiment of separatism has lessened since the abrogation of Article 370.
“The Modi government has taken various steps to improve and strengthen internal security.
Those who dreamt of a ‘red’ (Maoist) corridor from Tirupati to Pashupati have laid down arms and joined the mainstream,” he said.
Referring to the Northeast, Mr.
Shah said 14 major peace agreements have been signed since 2019, and around 11,000 armed youths have laid down their weapons and joined the mainstream.
He said India ended the nearly six-decade-old challenge of Left-Wing Extremism on March 31, 2026, through a coordinated strategy combining security, development and trust.
“We have eradicated Naxalism and will deal with the menace of narcotics in the same manner,” the Union Minister asserted.
Shah also highlighted the government's efforts against cybercrime, saying the cyber system has helped save more than ₹11,158 crore across 32.8 lakh complaints as of June 30, 2026.
He said strengthening border and coastal security, implementing three new criminal laws, and the Vibrant Villages Programme were among the measures taken to strengthen internal security.
The Union Minister said the government has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism and a first-responder approach to disaster management.
He also praised the Goa police for an effective implementation of the three new criminal laws, saying the conviction rate has increased from 22% to 53.2%.
