The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) has reached over 35.88 crore people across India as of 12 November 2026, representing a massive expansion from approximately 1.4 crore people reached in 2021. The substance abuse awareness campaign has specifically connected with more than 14.35 crore youth and 11.33 crore women, reflecting its targeted outreach to vulnerable demographic groups.
Launched on 15 August 2020, the campaign initially covered 272 districts identified as vulnerable to substance use, expanded to 372 districts in August 2022, and was extended to all districts of the country from 15 August 2023. The program has evolved from an institution-driven initiative to a community-led movement with active participation from states, districts, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and local stakeholders.
A significant component of the campaign includes over 34.07 lakh awareness activities conducted in educational institutions, engaging students and young people in discussions about the harmful consequences of substance use. The Ministry has strengthened the treatment and counseling ecosystem under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), resulting in the number of persons seeking treatment and counseling increasing from 2.08 lakh in 2020-21 to over 9.11 lakh in 2025-26. The country now has 198 District De-Addiction Centres operational as of the reporting date.
The Nasha Mukti Mitr initiative has enrolled more than 2 lakh citizens as volunteers who contribute to awareness generation, encourage individuals to seek assistance, and support the creation of drug-free communities. The campaign addresses substance dependence as a complex psycho-social and medical challenge, building on findings from the first National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India (2018) which indicated that more than 7 crore people in the country were affected by substance use disorders, including nearly 1.2 crore children and 58 lakh women.