Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)- Background, Mandate, Powers and Key Functions

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Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: Indian Constitution- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
GS Paper 3: Security- Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

Recently, a special court rejected a plea from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) urging that it not take cognizance of an affidavit leveling bribery charges against an NCB official.
The case to the special court was assigned under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

About Narcotics Control Bureau: NCB was constituted by the government in 1986 as per the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
- Headquarter: New Delhi.
Parent Ministry: Narcotics Control Bureau functions under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Mandate of Narcotics Control Bureau: constituted for taking measures with respect to such matters under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act as may be specified by the Central Government, subject to the supervision and control of the Central Government.
Constitutional Backing: The National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is based on the Directive Principles, contained in Article 47 of the Indian Constitution.
- Article 47: It directs the State to endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption, except for medicinal purposes, of intoxicating drugs injurious to health.
International Obligations: India is a signatory to various international conventions and protocols, mandating effective implementation of various drug-related issues. They are-
- Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol,
- Conventions on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and
- United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is to exercise the powers and functions of the Central Government for taking measures with respect to:

Coordination of actions by various offices, State Governments and other authorities under the N.D.P.S. Act, Customs Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Act and any other law for the time being in force in connection with the enforcement provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.
Implementation of the obligation in respect of countermeasures against illicit traffic under the various international conventions and protocols that are in force at present or which may be ratified or acceded to by India in the future.
Assistance to concerned authorities in foreign countries and concerned international organizations to facilitate coordination and universal action for prevention and suppression of illicit traffic in these drugs and substances.
Coordination of actions taken by the other concerned Ministries, Departments and Organizations in respect of matters relating to drug abuse.

Apex Coordinating Agency: for coordination among various Central and State Agencies engaged in drug law enforcement;
Assisting States in enhancing their drug law enforcement effort;
Collection and dissemination of intelligence;
Analysis of seizure data, the study of trends and modus operandi;
Preparation of National Drug Enforcement Statistics;
National Nodal Agency for Drug-related issues: NCB act in Liaison with International agencies such as UNDCP, INCB, INTERPOL, Customs Cooperation Council, RILO, etc;
National contact point for intelligence and investigations