# UP colleges get daily anti-drug pledge, zone monitoring

2026-08-07T14:58:54+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a statewide anti-drug campaign for all higher education institutions, mandating a daily two-minute anti-drug pledge and weekly 10-minute teacher-led discussions on substance abuse. The campaign was announced after Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay chaired a meeting with university registrars. Governor Anandiben Patel had earlier claimed that narcotics were prevalent on almost every university campus she visited. The state has been divided into five zones, each with a senior nodal officer overseeing implementation. Meanwhile, the Union government has begun a voluntary urine testing programme at IITs and IIMs as part of a three-year plan to screen 10 lakh students across 130 centrally-funded institutions.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com <https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/up-higher-edu-institutions-comprehensive-anti-drug-drive-on-anvil-101786103926960.html>
- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drug-testing-college-students-iits-iims-begin-with-voluntary-urine-tests-at-admission/article71294518.ece>
- newindianexpress.com <https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/uttar-pradesh/2026/Aug/08/up-universities-to-step-up-anti-drug-measures-with-campus-checks-daily-pledge>

Tags: anti-drug campaign, drug testing, higher education, IIMs, IITs, Uttar Pradesh
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