Uttar Pradesh and Centre launch anti-drug drives at colleges and IITs

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Uttar Pradesh’s higher education minister Yogendra Upadhyay chaired a meeting on Friday to finalise an anti-drug campaign across the state’s universities and colleges. Students will take a two-minute anti-drug pledge daily, teachers will dedicate 10 minutes of one class each week to drug awareness, and activities such as runs, essay contests, and plays will be held. A ban on sale of intoxicants within 500 metres of institutions will be enforced, with regular hostel and campus inspections.

Separately, the Union education ministry has asked IITs and IIMs to begin voluntary, confidential urine tests for incoming students for drugs such as cocaine and marijuana. The tests are part of a phased plan to screen 10 lakh students by 2029, as outlined in the Narcotics Control Bureau’s vision document. IIT Goa’s brochure says results will not affect admission, hostel eligibility, or lead to disciplinary action, though IIM Lucknow’s document does not explicitly guarantee no negative consequences.