MoE Issues 3-Year Action Plan for  Nationwide Implementation of ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’
In March 2026, a joint advisory from the Secretary of Department of School Education & Literacy(DoSL), Ministry of Education (MoE) and Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has been issued to the Chief Secretaries(CS) of all States and Union Territories (UTs) for mission-mode implementation of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) Action Plan’ in schools.
About Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA):
Aim: A national initiative aimed at creating a drug-free India, focusing on preventing substance abuse among students and raising awareness about the harmful effects of drugs in schools.
Key Provisions: It mandates declaring a 500-metre(m) radius around schools as drug-free zones and requires school heads or nodal teachers to report any violations to local authorities, including the police.
Holistic Approach: The Action Plan adopts a holistic approach, including awareness programs, preventive education in schools, teacher and head capacity building, and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) interventions such as posters, signage boards, and creative campaigns to promote drug-free environments.