Odisha orders colleges to map liquor, drug shops within 500m of campuses
Synopsis
Odisha has put its college principals on the clock: survey every shop selling drugs, alcohol, or tobacco within 500 metres of your campus and report back by 15 July. The move formalises NCORD compliance through a digital portal — and the real test will be whether the data triggers enforcement or simply fills a government database.
Key Takeaways
The Odisha Higher Education department issued the directive on 2 July 2026 to principals of all government and aided colleges statewide.
Colleges must map all outlets selling narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, alcohol, tobacco , and intoxicants within a 500-metre radius of their campuses.
Reports must be submitted through the HIMS portal by 15 July 2026 .
The order is issued under the National Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) mechanism.
The initiative is part of Odisha's broader campaign to curb substance abuse among students in higher education.
The Odisha Higher Education (HE) department on Thursday, 2 July 2026, directed principals of all government and non-government aided colleges across the state to conduct a physical survey of areas within a 500-metre radius of their campuses and report the presence of shops selling narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, alcohol, tobacco, and other intoxicating substances. The directive is part of the National Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) mechanism and the state's push to create drug-free educational environments.
The Directive in Detail
Ramesh Chandra Behera, SNO-cum-Deputy Secretary of the HE department, issued the official communication to college principals statewide. The order requires institutions to physically verify their surrounding areas and submit the prescribed information through the HIMS portal by 15 July 2026.
'Under the National Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) mechanism and the government's commitment towards creating a safe, healthy and drug-free educational environment, it is to be ensured that no shop or outlet dealing in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, alcohol, tobacco or other intoxicating substances operates within a radius of 500 metres of any educational institution, as per the applicable provisions of law and government instructions,' Behera stated in the communication.
Why the State Is Acting Now
The directive comes amid growing concern over rising substance abuse among college-going students in Odisha. Authorities have flagged increasing use of drugs and tobacco products on and around campuses as a public health and safety challenge. This latest order is part of a broader state campaign to strengthen preventive measures in higher education institutions.
Notably, the NCORD framework — a multi-agency coordination mechanism — mandates that no intoxicant outlet operate within the stipulated distance of any educational institution under applicable law. The Odisha government is now formalising compliance monitoring through an institutional reporting structure.
What Colleges Must Do
Principals are required to physically inspect the 500-metre perimeter around their campuses, catalogue any non-compliant outlets, and upload the information to the HIMS portal no later than 15 July 2026. Both government colleges and non-government aided institutions are covered under the directive.
The data collected is expected to enable district and state authorities to initiate action against violating establishments in coordination with law enforcement and excise departments.
Broader Context
The move reinforces a pattern of state governments across India tightening enforcement of the 100-metre and 500-metre exclusion zones around schools and colleges, a provision that exists in law but has historically seen uneven implementation. Odisha's decision to route compliance through a digital portal — the HIMS system — signals an attempt to create an auditable, time-bound accountability mechanism rather than relying solely on ad hoc inspections.
The outcome will depend on follow-through: whether the survey data triggers actual enforcement action against non-compliant shops, or remains a documentation exercise. Authorities have not yet detailed what action will follow once the reports are submitted.
Point of View
Not legislation. Routing the survey through the HIMS portal is a structural improvement — it creates a paper trail — but without a clear mandate for excise and police departments to act on the data within a defined timeline, this risks becoming another compliance ritual. Odisha should publish the survey findings and the consequent action taken, or the exercise will not deter a single shop owner.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the Odisha government directed college principals to do?
The Odisha Higher Education department has directed principals of all government and non-government aided colleges to physically survey the 500-metre radius around their campuses and identify any shops selling narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, alcohol, tobacco, or other intoxicants. The findings must be submitted via the HIMS portal by 15 July 2026.
What is the NCORD mechanism behind this directive?
The National Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) mechanism is a multi-agency framework that coordinates anti-drug efforts across central and state government bodies. Odisha's directive is issued under NCORD guidelines, which require that no intoxicant outlet operate within 500 metres of an educational institution as per applicable law.
Which colleges are covered under this order?
The directive covers all government colleges and non-government aided colleges across Odisha. Principals of both categories of institutions are required to conduct the physical verification and submit reports.
What is the deadline for colleges to submit their survey reports?
Principals must upload the prescribed information through the HIMS portal by 15 July 2026, as directed by SNO-cum-Deputy Secretary Ramesh Chandra Behera of the Higher Education department.
Why is Odisha taking this step now?
The directive comes amid growing concern over rising drug and tobacco use among college students in Odisha. The government has been running a broader campaign to curb substance abuse in educational settings, and this survey is intended to strengthen surveillance and enable enforcement action against non-compliant outlets near campuses.
