New Delhi: Kerala recorded the highest number of cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2023 at 30,697, while Jammu and Kashmir topped among Union Territories with 2,232 cases, the government told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
In a written reply to a question, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai shared the data.
According to the data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 1,20,010 cases were registered across the country under the NDPS Act in 2023.
Among the states, Kerala saw a sharp rise in cases over the years, followed by Maharashtra with 15,610 cases and Punjab with 11,589 cases in 2023.
Other states reporting high numbers include Tamil Nadu (10,126) and Uttar Pradesh (9,387).
In the Union Territories category, Jammu and Kashmir reported the highest number of cases at 2,232, followed by Delhi with 1,325 cases and Puducherry with 148 cases.
A total of 1,16,051 cases were registered across all states, while Union Territories accounted for 3,959 cases in 2023, according to the data.
The NDPS Act, 1985, which regulates operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, was amended in 2014 and has been in force nationwide since May 1 that year, the minister added.
