J&K L-G Manoj Sinha launches 100-week anti-drug campaign for India's youth
Synopsis
With over one crore youth enrolled at 10,000 locations and ₹200 crore in drug-linked property attached in J&K alone, the 100-week Nasha Mukt Yuva campaign is shaping up as the most operationally ambitious anti-drug drive India has seen — and J&K's 100-day pilot is being held up as the national template.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 100-week Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan on 2 August .
J&K L-G Manoj Sinha noted that nearly 65% of India's population is below 35 years , with 37 crore youth aged 15–29 .
Over one crore youth are participating at nearly 10,000 locations across the country, backed by 35,000+ organisations.
J&K's 100-day drive (April–July) registered 2,300 FIRs , arrested 2,600 people, and seized 1,500 kg of narcotics.
More than 331 properties worth ₹200 crore belonging to narco-terrorists and drug smugglers have been attached in J&K.
A three-year Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026 will pilot in the two most-affected districts of J&K.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday, 2 August attended the launch of the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan' in Srinagar, underscoring that India's greatest strength lies in its young population — nearly 65 per cent of the country's total population is below the age of 35. The 100-week mega campaign was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a nationwide resolve to protect youth from the drug menace and channel their energy toward national development.
What the Campaign Entails
The initiative, organised by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and SKUAST-Kashmir, connects youth every Sunday at nearly 10,000 locations across the country. More than one crore young people are participating, supported by over 35,000 MY Bharat youth clubs, Nehru Yuva Kendras, schools, colleges, and industry organisations. L-G Sinha noted that 37 crore youth in the 15–29 age group are eager to contribute to nation-building, and this campaign aims to guide them toward healthy lifestyles and active participation in development.
J&K's Anti-Drug Record So Far
Highlighting the achievements of the 100-day Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan conducted from 11 April to 20 July, the Lieutenant Governor said the campaign has become a model for the rest of the country. Around 2,300 FIRs have been registered, 2,600 people arrested, and 1,500 kilograms of narcotics seized. More than 331 properties worth approximately ₹200 crore belonging to narco-terrorists and drug smugglers have been attached. Additionally, over 370 driving licences and 750 vehicle registrations have been cancelled, with recommendations to cancel nearly 3,000 Aadhaar cards.
Rehabilitation at the Centre of Policy
Sinha announced that the administration will soon launch the Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026. The pilot will begin in the two most-affected districts of Kashmir and Jammu divisions and is designed as a three-year rehabilitation cycle covering medical treatment, counselling, education, skill development, employment, reintegration, and long-term monitoring. 'I see youth affected by drugs as victims, and we need to ensure their dignity, livelihood, and a meaningful future,' Sinha said.
The Broader Context
The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan was first launched in 2020 by Prime Minister Modi as a social movement rather than a conventional government programme. Its stated goal is to instil self-discipline, positive thinking, and strong determination among citizens. The current 100-week campaign scales that effort significantly, drawing in religious leaders, educational institutions, and civil society alongside law enforcement. On the occasion, L-G Sinha also administered the Nasha Mukt Yuva Pledge to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. Senior officials present included Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir; Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Commissioner/Secretary of the Youth Services and Sports Department; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; and Nitin Hangloo, Director, Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) J&K. With enforcement, awareness, and rehabilitation now operating in parallel, the administration's approach signals a shift from purely punitive measures toward a more holistic framework for tackling drug abuse among India's youth.
Point of View
300 FIRs, 1,500 kg seized, ₹200 crore in attachments — are striking, but enforcement metrics alone do not measure a social movement's success. The more telling indicator will be whether the forthcoming Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme actually delivers treatment and employment outcomes, or becomes another well-worded policy that stalls at the pilot stage. Framing drug-affected youth as victims rather than criminals is a meaningful rhetorical shift; translating it into funded, monitored rehabilitation in a conflict-sensitive region like J&K is the harder test. The 100-week national campaign's Sunday-connect model is innovative, but sustained behaviour change requires consistent community infrastructure — something Nehru Yuva Kendras have historically struggled to maintain beyond headline events.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan?
It is a 100-week national anti-drug campaign virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at steering India's youth away from drugs and toward active participation in national development. The campaign connects youth every Sunday at nearly 10,000 locations across the country, with over one crore participants and support from more than 35,000 organisations including MY Bharat youth clubs and Nehru Yuva Kendras.
What were the outcomes of J&K's 100-day Nasha Mukt Abhiyan?
The 100-day Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan, conducted from 11 April to 20 July, resulted in approximately 2,300 FIRs, 2,600 arrests, and seizure of 1,500 kilograms of narcotics. More than 331 properties worth around ₹200 crore belonging to narco-terrorists and drug smugglers were attached, and over 370 driving licences and 750 vehicle registrations were cancelled.
What is the new rehabilitation scheme announced by J&K L-G Manoj Sinha?
L-G Sinha announced the Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026, a three-year pilot programme set to begin in the two most-affected districts of Kashmir and Jammu divisions. It will cover medical treatment, counselling, education, skill development, employment, reintegration, and long-term monitoring.
Why does India's youth population matter in the context of this campaign?
Nearly 65 per cent of India's total population is below the age of 35, with 37 crore youth in the 15–29 age group. L-G Sinha described this demographic as India's greatest strength, arguing that protecting them from drug abuse is essential to achieving the country's Viksit Bharat development goals.
When did the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan originally begin?
The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan was first launched in 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a nationwide social movement against drug abuse. The current 100-week Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan is an expansion of that original initiative.
