Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) Meeting 2026: Key Features, Structure and Government Anti-Drug Initiatives

Why in News ?

• The Union Home Minister is scheduled to chair the 10th Apex-Level Meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi. 

Key Features 

• NCORD was established in 2016 by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to strengthen inter-agency coordination against drug trafficking and substance abuse. 
• It was restructured into a four-tier mechanism in 2019 for better coordination from the Centre to the district level. 
• It facilitates intelligence sharing, policy coordination and joint action among Central agencies, States and other stakeholders. 

Structure

• Apex-Level Committee : Chaired by the Union Home Secretary. 
• Executive-Level Committee : Headed by the Special Secretary, MHA. 
• State-Level Committees : Headed by the Chief Secretaries. 
• District-Level Committees : Headed by the District Magistrates. 

Major Initiatives

• Mission SPANDAN : Partners with spiritual and social organisations to create awareness against drug abuse. 
• MANAS Helpline (1933) : A 24×7 toll-free helpline for reporting drug-related information and seeking assistance. 
• Supports the Government's zero-tolerance policy against narcotics through coordinated enforcement and awareness initiatives.