The Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA are actively discussing to make psychoactive substance testing standards for all commercial pilots.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the licences of 10 Ayurvedic drug manufacturing units and issued show-cause notices to 135 others following inspections that revealed serious violations including unhygienic conditions, lack of technical staff, and inadequate testing protocols.
In a significant victory against international drug trafficking, India has secured the return of fugitive drug kingpin Virender Singh Basoya from the UAE.
Odisha-based Serendipity Space successfully demonstrated drug crystallisation processes on a satellite prototype in a near-space mission. This breakthrough aims to enable pharmaceutical manufacturing in low Earth orbit, leveraging microgravity to create superior drug crystal structures for enhanced solubility, stability, and effectiveness. The mission tested core technologies, including an autonomous pharmaceutical factory, and was inspired by advancements made on the International Space Station.
The Federation of Indian Pilots has requested the DGCA to increase random drug testing for pilots, aiming to enhance aviation safety.
A 19-year-old mechatronics engineering student was brutally murdered in Coimbatore, leading to a political controversy in Tamil Nadu. While his family alleges he was targeted for exposing drug abuse on campus, police and college management claim the attack stemmed from personal enmity and a retaliatory clash. Eight arrests have been made, and the issue was raised in the Legislative Assembly, with the Opposition demanding an inquiry into the conflicting narratives.
Although absolute risk is low, awareness of the potential effect may help inform shared treatment decisions.
Two Air India Group pilots have failed initial drug tests, with their samples sent for confirmatory analysis. This comes after mandatory psychoactive substance testing was implemented following an incident where a pilot tested positive for marijuana after a flight lost altitude.
The pilots testing positive have been removed from duty, with their samples sent for confirmatory testing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the country's youth to take a pledge against substance abuse, saying drugs can give them a "high" for some time, but would make their entire career and personal life "low".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a 100-week nationwide campaign, 'Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan', on August 2 to combat rising drug abuse in India. Led by MY Bharat youth, the initiative will involve various activities and aims to unite over one crore young people in a pledge against substance abuse, addressing alarming statistics from the Narcotics Control Bureau.
The Bombay High Court has strongly criticised the Maharashtra FDA for its "shoot first" approach, likening its drastic actions to using a sword to kill a mosquito. The court, hearing a petition from Cadila Pharmaceuticals, directed the FDA to grant companies a hearing before taking severe measures, warning of heavy costs for its arbitrary conduct.
Air India and Air India Express are implementing mandatory psychoactive substance testing for all their 5,000+ pilots. This decision follows an incident where the pilot of a Phuket-Delhi flight, which experienced a sudden altitude drop injuring 24 people, tested positive for marijuana. The testing aims to enhance safety standards and reassure passengers.
US President Donald Trump announced steep tariffs on imported generic medicines, effective from August 2028, with the aim of boosting domestic pharmaceutical production. This policy, which includes a phased increase in tariffs up to 200 per cent, could significantly impact India, a major global supplier of generic drugs to the US market.
R V S Mani, former Under Secretary of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, has alleged that drug trafficking was a regular practice by Pakistani cricket teams and delegations visiting India, linking it to the 2006 doping scandal involving Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, and even the death of coach Bob Woolmer.
The Mumbai police on Thursday ordered a probe and removed a police driver from the duty roster after a viral video purportedly showed him threatening student protesters with false narcotics charges if they returned to demonstrate.
A 25-year-old man, Sharfin Sebastian, who allegedly posed as the state president of an anti-drug organisation, has been arrested in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, after police seized 1.590 grams of MDMA and drug paraphernalia from his residence. The arrest highlights a shocking case of hypocrisy, as the accused was actively campaigning against narcotics while allegedly possessing banned synthetic drugs.
Professor Philip Maini, an Indian-origin academic at the University of Oxford, is pioneering the application of mathematical biology to understand and develop new cancer therapies. His work focuses on creating models that predict treatment outcomes and developing adaptive therapy strategies to combat drug resistance in tumours, offering a novel approach to improving patient care.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced new anti-narcotic campaigns in schools, coinciding with International Day Against Drug Abuse on June 26. The initiative, part of 'Operation Toofaan', aims to make Kerala drug-free, with police actively targeting drug networks and reporting significant seizures and arrests.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay actively participated in a 6 km anti-drug marathon at Chennai's Marina Beach, running alongside thousands of participants. This marks a historic first for a sitting CM in the state to complete such an event for a social cause, drawing praise from political figures and reinforcing the government's commitment to a drug-free Tamil Nadu.
A Metropolitan Police investigation into a "sophisticated" west London organised crime network dealing in heroin and crack cocaine has resulted in three Indian-origin men being sentenced to a total of over 22 years.
Police in Hyderabad apprehended a 22-year-old man for drug peddling and discovered eight individuals consuming prohibited substances during a raid. The operation uncovered an illegal drug distribution network, with significant quantities of MDMA and ganja seized. Efforts are underway to trace the suppliers.
'While higher prices may create some financial burden for patients and caregivers in the short term, uninterrupted access to treatment remains the greater priority.'
Kerala-based professional stunt cyclist Saneed is undertaking an extraordinary journey from Kerala to the Everest Base Camp on a specially modified bicycle lacking a front wheel, aiming to spread a 'Say No to Drugs' awareness message.
Nuh police arrested a drug peddler allegedly selling banned drugs from his shop, recovering cough syrup, narcotic capsules, and cash.
The Thane City Crime Branch has dismantled a drug trafficking network connected to the Kashmir Valley, arresting three individuals and confiscating charas and tramadol capsules worth over Rs 3.03 crore. The operation is part of a special anti-narcotics drive, with investigations ongoing into the supply chain and financial links.
Nepal police have arrested two Indian nationals from Bihar and one Nepalese citizen for allegedly possessing 30,000 capsules of Tramadol. The arrests followed a police firing incident when suspects failed to stop at a security check.
Authorities in Jammu demolished two residential houses belonging to alleged drug peddlers as part of an intensified crackdown on narcotics trafficking and illegal assets. This action follows legal procedures and targets individuals involved in multiple drug-related cases, aiming to disrupt criminal networks and combat the drug menace.
Police in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested Rohit Singh, an associate of drug smuggler Prince Singh, who had previously escaped during an encounter. The investigation further led to the apprehension of two more individuals, Pintu Yadav and Satyapal, involved in cultivating and supplying opium and poppy husk from Jharkhand to Punjab. Authorities seized contraband worth Rs 58.75 lakh.
Police in Jammu and Kashmir have arrested four alleged drug peddlers in Reasi, Jammu, and Kathua districts, seizing significant quantities of heroin and cash. One of the arrested individuals is a repeat offender, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids across Maharashtra and Gujarat targeting Mohammad Salim Dola, a recently extradited drug trafficker with alleged ties to Dawood Ibrahim, as part of a money laundering investigation.
Four individuals, including two Manipur police constables, were arrested in Kangpokpi district for allegedly transporting 6.1 kg of Yaba tablets, a synthetic drug. The arrests followed a police interception on National Highway-2.
Authorities in Jammu demolished the house of alleged drug peddler Falla Gujjar as part of an ongoing crackdown against narcotics trafficking and illegal assets. This action follows due legal procedures and is part of a broader campaign to curb the drug menace and disrupt criminal networks in the region.
Nine individuals from Manipur were arrested in Mizoram's Aizawl district with 740 gm of heroin, seized during a joint operation by the Excise and Narcotics Department, Assam Rifles, and CYMA. The drugs were found concealed in soap cases, and the accused have been booked under the NDPS Act.
Cricketer-turned-politician Harbhajan Singh revealed in a podcast interview that his decision to switch from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stemmed from the AAP government's alleged neglect of his concerns regarding drug abuse and sports promotion in Punjab.
Authorities in Jammu demolished properties worth approximately Rs 4 crore belonging to an alleged drug peddler as part of an intensified crackdown on narcotics.
Police in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district have arrested two alleged drug peddlers in separate operations, recovering over 113 grams of heroin-like substance valued at more than Rs 50 lakh. The arrests are part of an ongoing drug-free campaign, with one accused identified as a notorious peddler. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to continuing anti-narcotics operations to curb drug smuggling.
Police in Jammu and Kashmir have arrested three alleged drug peddlers in Udhampur and Samba districts, recovering significant quantities of heroin. The arrests were made following suspicious activity and vehicle interception, with cases registered under the NDPS Act.
Punjab Police have dismantled a significant cross-border drug smuggling cartel, arresting six individuals, including two juveniles, and seizing over 30 kg of heroin. The operation revealed links to a Dubai-based mastermind who exploited young people to distribute drug consignments across Punjab. Investigations are ongoing to trace financial trails and identify further associates.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of six hotels, restaurants, and other food establishments in Mumbai due to food safety and hygiene violations, including improper storage and the use of analogue paneer. This action is part of an ongoing inspection drive.
