More than 1.31 crore citizens participated in the nationwide ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah’ 2026, as the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment intensified its campaign against substance abuse through awareness drives, community engagement and strategic partnerships.
The week-long campaign, observed from June 17 to June 26 to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, concluded with a National Awareness Programme at Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (DSVV) in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar led the concluding programme, which was attended by Dr. Chinmay Pandya, Pro Vice-Chancellor of DSVV, along with government officials, representatives from states and Union Territories, volunteers, educational institutions and civil society organisations.
A major highlight of the event was a ‘Nasha Mukt Rally’ led by the Union Minister, which witnessed the participation of nearly 4,000 citizens, reflecting widespread public support for the national campaign against drug abuse.
During the programme, Kumar administered the Pledge Against Drug Abuse as well as the Ageing with Dignity Pledge, reiterating the government’s commitment to building a drug-free and inclusive society.
Throughout the 10-day campaign, awareness and community mobilisation activities were organised across the country. These included Nasha Mukti Mitra registration drives, seminars, webinars, training programmes for children and youth, street plays, skits, rallies, yoga sessions, signature campaigns, essay and painting competitions, slogan-writing contests, e-pledges, and several other public outreach initiatives aimed at spreading awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
Thousands of participants joined the concluding programme both physically and virtually, including students, youth volunteers, spiritual organisations, representatives of the Uttarakhand government, line ministries, grant-in-aid institutions, addiction treatment facilities and other stakeholders from across the country.
The event also witnessed the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the All World Gayatri Pariwar under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) and the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY). The agreements aim to strengthen collaboration in drug demand reduction, public awareness, community mobilisation and the promotion of the “Ageing with Dignity” initiative for senior citizens.
The Ministry also recognised the contributions of states, Union Territories, districts, line ministries, grant-in-aid institutions and Nasha Mukti Mitras for their outstanding efforts in advancing the objectives of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. Winners of various awareness competitions organised under the campaign were felicitated alongside stakeholders who demonstrated exemplary work in promoting a drug-free society.
The successful observance of Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah 2026 reinforced the Centre’s commitment to combating substance abuse through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, with the Ministry urging citizens, educational institutions, youth organisations and community groups to continue supporting the vision of “Nasha Mukt Bharat, Khushhaal Bharat.”
