With nearly 4 million narcotics cases awaiting trial, the Union Home Ministry has directed every state and UT to set up dedicated NDPS courts. Currently only 65 such courts operate nationwide, prompting a swift push for more specialised tribunals.

Key Takeaways

  • 3.96 lakh NDPS cases pending across India
  • Only 65 exclusive NDPS courts functional today
  • All states and UTs ordered to establish additional courts

Big Story

The Union Home Ministry, alarmed by the mounting backlog of narcotics prosecutions, has issued a binding directive for every state and Union Territory to create exclusive NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) courts. The order follows six months of high‑level review meetings that revealed 22 jurisdictions still lack dedicated tribunals.

At present, merely 65 exclusive NDPS courts are operational, far short of the capacity required to clear 3.96 lakh pending cases. States with the heaviest pendency—Punjab (≈60,000), Kerala (≈50,000), Odisha (≈17,000), Tamil Nadu (≈15,000), Karnataka (≈15,000), Madhya Pradesh (≈14,000), West Bengal (≈11,000) and Himachal Pradesh (≈11,000)—have been instructed to fast‑track the establishment of new benches.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also seeks compliance reports by the August 8 deadline and is exploring pre‑trial conferences and other procedural shortcuts to accelerate verdicts. The broader anti‑drug strategy aims to reduce judicial backlog, deter drug trafficking, and reinforce public confidence in the legal system.

Historical Background

India’s fight against narcotics dates back to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985, which introduced stringent penalties. In 2010, the first batch of special NDPS courts was set up, but limited expansion left many cases to linger in regular courts. The current mandate represents the most aggressive scaling‑up effort since the act’s inception.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the creation of exclusive NDPS courts will not only alleviate the judicial backlog but also signal a decisive governmental commitment to curbing drug abuse, thereby enhancing public safety and health outcomes.

"Without dedicated tribunals, NDPS cases will continue to clog the system; specialized courts bring speed and transparency to justice," says former Judge Ajay Singh.
Did You Know?: Karnataka and Tamil Nadu together account for over 30,000 new NDPS filings each year, making them the country’s toughest battlegrounds against drug crime.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Have all states begun setting up the new courts?
    Answer: Several states have already started the process, while others are still finalising logistics.
  2. Will these courts handle only NDPS matters?
    Answer: Yes, their jurisdiction is limited strictly to cases under the NDPS Act.