Amit Shah sets December 2029 deadline to make India drug-free
Union Home Minister Amit Shah linked the anti-narcotics campaign directly to national security while marking Police Commemoration Day in New Delhi.
What happened on Police Commemoration Day
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed police and security forces across the country to eliminate the drug menace, setting a firm deadline of December 31, 2029, to achieve a drug-free India.
Addressing the annual Police Commemoration Day ceremony at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi, Shah stated that the Home Ministry will dedicate the next three years to a nationwide anti-narcotics campaign. He linked the spread of illicit drugs directly to national security, explaining that narcotics damage the nation's youth, strain the economy, and generate illicit funds for anti-national networks.
The directive follows what the Home Minister described as decisive victories in national security, with peace established in Jammu & Kashmir, the Northeast, and regions previously impacted by Left-Wing Extremism.
Security milestones and the anti-drug roadmap
Shah noted that 2026 marked a pivotal milestone for Indian law enforcement, as security forces successfully eliminated armed Naxalism within the deadline set for March 31, 2026. With major internal security threats contained, the government is shifting its operational focus to narcotics control under the 'Nasha-Mukt Bharat' initiative.
| Security objective | Target deadline | Key operational focus |
|---|---|---|
| LWE eradication | March 31, 2026 | Elimination of armed Naxalism across affected districts |
| Anti-narcotics campaign | December 31, 2029 | Unified nationwide push to eliminate illicit drug trade |
| Ekta Diwas event | October 31, 2026 | National integration parade in Kevadia, Gujarat |
To launch the public awareness drive, Shah flagged off a nationwide motorcycle rally themed 'Fight Against Drugs'. Riders representing 36 states and Union Territories, alongside nine Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and central organisations, are travelling from across the country to Kevadia, Gujarat.
Honouring police personnel and national security
During the ceremony, the Home Minister placed a wreath at the memorial to pay tribute to fallen officers. Official records show that 36,852 police personnel have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty since Independence, including 154 personnel in the past year.
The observance of Police Commemoration Day traces back to October 21, 1959, when ten police officers died in an ambush by Chinese forces at Hot Springs, Ladakh.
The nationwide anti-drug campaign will converge on October 31 at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade in Kevadia, Gujarat, marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary. The celebrations will feature contingents from all state police forces and CAPFs, with around 7,000 residents from 126 former LWE-affected districts attending to celebrate national unity and the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total police martyrs since Independence | 36,852 | Union Home Minister Amit Shah |
| Police martyrs in the past year | 154 | Union Home Minister Amit Shah |
| Drug-free India deadline | December 31, 2029 | Union Home Minister Amit Shah |
| Armed Naxalism eradication deadline | March 31, 2026 | Union Home Minister Amit Shah |
| Participants from former LWE districts at Ekta Diwas | 7,000 | Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Home Affairs | Government ministry directing the national anti-narcotics campaign. |
| National Police Memorial | Venue in New Delhi where Police Commemoration Day was held. |
| Amit Shah | Union Home Minister who set the December 2029 drug-free deadline. |
