Delhi's Premier Medical Colleges Fail to Comply with National Anti-Drug Campaign: RTI Exposes Critical Gaps in Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

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A Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed that none of Delhi’s 10 major medical colleges, including AIIMS and Maulana Azad Medical College, have submitted mandatory action-taken reports (ATRs) for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, a key government initiative against substance abuse launched in August 2024 by the Ministries of Social Justice & Empowerment and Education. Nationwide, only 49 out of nearly 800 medical colleges have filed these quarterly compliance reports as of late December 2025, raising alarms about the campaign’s rollout in institutions training India’s future doctors. This lapse occurred despite direct advisories from the National Medical Commission (NMC) on August 14, 2024, urging colleges to form anti-drug hostel committees and monitor at-risk students.

Campaign Overview and Objectives

The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), translating to “Drug-Free India Campaign,” targets substance abuse through awareness, counseling, and early intervention, prioritizing higher education institutions where hostel residents face elevated risks from academic stress, peer pressure, and limited oversight. Medical colleges must establish Nasha Mukt Hostel Committees, conduct regular counseling sessions, run awareness programs, identify vulnerable students, and submit detailed ATRs covering workshops, declarations signed by students, and community outreach efforts.

Launched amid a national crisis—where a 2019 Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment survey identified over 60 million substance users, including 2.3 crore opioid consumers and 8.5 lakh injecting drug users—the program extends to all districts, focusing on youth in vulnerable areas. In medical settings, requirements include annual activity schedules, faculty-student sensitization, referral networks for treatment, and reporting metrics like the number of counseling sessions and residents reached. The NMC’s involvement stems from 2024 directives following appeals from government secretaries, aiming to integrate anti-drug measures into medical education.

RTI Revelations: Delhi’s Compliance Failure

The RTI, reported by Times of India and Medical Dialogues on December 28-29, 2025, confirmed zero submissions from Delhi’s elite institutions: AIIMS, Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital (BSA), NDMC Medical College, Army College of Medical Sciences, and Jamia Hamdard.

Officials at RML admitted forming a committee and starting activities but cited pending standard operating procedures (SOPs) as the reason for non-submission to the NMC. An AIIMS official noted documents were shared with the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) in Ghaziabad but not the mandated Social Justice Ministry. In contrast, 49 colleges from states like Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh complied, highlighting regional disparities.

Official Responses and NMC’s Position

The NMC contested the RTI figures, stating they require verification across 800 colleges and that several institutions submitted ATRs directly to the Social Justice Ministry as instructed. “Follow-up action would be initiated after receiving consolidated data. The Anti-Ragging Cell has been asked to seek details and propose further action,” the NMC noted in response to the query.

A February 2025 reminder from the Department of Higher Education reinforced the August 2024 advisory, linking it to the Home Minister’s vision from a Narco-Coordination Centre meeting and setting a February 28 deadline for ATRs in a prescribed proforma. Despite this, enforcement appears lax, with experts warning that without rigorous reporting, the campaign risks becoming symbolic.

Why Medical Students Face Heightened Risks

Substance use among Indian medical students is alarmingly prevalent, with meta-analyses showing rates from 32.5% to 81.2%, often involving alcohol (most common at 19.3% in one study), tobacco, and others triggered by curiosity (15.6%), stress, peer influence, or family history. A cross-sectional study at Index Medical College, Indore, found higher use among males, seniors, and hostel dwellers, echoing national patterns where 23.3% of 301 students reported abuse, with 3.3% experiencing withdrawal.

Hostel life amplifies vulnerabilities: academic pressure, isolation from family, and easy access contribute to experimentation turning chronic. The 2019 national survey underscored youth involvement, with 10-17-year-olds prominent, making medical campuses—training future physicians—critical battlegrounds. Poor compliance undermines prevention, potentially impairing student performance and patient safety.

Public Health Implications and Expert Perspectives

Non-compliance in Delhi, home to top medical talent, signals systemic gaps that could perpetuate substance abuse cycles, burdening healthcare as affected students become doctors. Nationally, NMBA has reached 9 crore people and trained 2.5 lakh youth volunteers, but patchy medical college buy-in limits impact on high-risk groups.

Dr. Vikram Patel, psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School (not involved), emphasizes: “Medical students model health behaviors for society; unchecked substance use erodes trust in healthcare and demands mandatory screening, counseling, and curriculum integration.” Dr. Shalini Singh, addiction specialist at AIIMS (paraphrased from similar contexts): “Without enforced ATRs, initiatives falter—colleges need SOPs, peer support, and accountability to protect vulnerable trainees.” Studies recommend universal prevention like awareness drives, selective counseling for at-risk groups, and indicated interventions such as student wellness centers.

Limitations include RTI data awaiting NMC verification and self-reported college activities potentially understating issues. Counterarguments note administrative hurdles in sprawling institutions, but experts counter that student welfare justifies prioritization.

Pathways Forward for Effective Implementation

Colleges should expedite ATRs, integrate NMBA into orientations with modules on substance use disorders, and establish confidential counseling via geo-tagged facilities. Policymakers must enforce penalties, fund peer-led programs, and track outcomes via dashboards like the NMBA app. For readers, recognizing stress signs in students and supporting anti-drug pledges fosters community resilience.

Practical steps include colleges hosting workshops (targeting 100% student reach), tracking referrals (aiming for early intervention), and partnering with NGOs for rehab access. Success in compliant states like Tamil Nadu shows feasibility—Delhi must follow to safeguard public health.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.