In a significant development in its protracted battle against narcotics, Punjab has reported a robust overall conviction rate of 83.87% in cases tried under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The data, spanning from January 1, 2022, to November 30, 2025, reveals that the state secured convictions in 21,625 out of 25,797 decided cases.
Daily Convictions and District-Wide Disparities
This impressive tally translates to an average of more than 13 convictions every single day across Punjab, a state that has long grappled with a severe drug menace. However, a granular look at the district and police unit-wise data, shared by the Union Home Ministry in response to a question from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, shows considerable variation in performance.
Several districts emerged as top performers, setting a high benchmark for enforcement outcomes. Leading the pack was the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali, which achieved a perfect 100% conviction rate, securing convictions in all 45 cases it pursued. Nawanshahr district followed closely with 95.86% (1,391 convictions out of 1,451 cases), and Fatehgarh Sahib recorded 95.2%. Barnala also performed strongly with a 93.33% conviction rate.
Other units maintaining high conviction levels included:
- Commissionerate of Police, Ludhiana: 90.15%
- Malerkotla: 89.95%
- Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Police Station: 89.46%
- Pathankot: 89.13%
- Mohali: 88.19%
Moderate Performers and Areas Needing Improvement
A cluster of districts registered conviction rates above 80%, aligning with or slightly exceeding the state average. These included Amritsar Rural (82.99%), Gurdaspur (83.92%), Mansa (83.83%), Jalandhar Rural (84.69%), Hoshiarpur (85.44%), and Kapurthala (85.66%). Ferozepur, Ludhiana Rural, and Tarn Taran also fell within this bracket.
Conversely, some units posted conviction rates significantly below the state's average, highlighting challenges in specific jurisdictions. The GRP/PTL unit recorded the lowest rate at 54.58%. SSOC Amritsar managed a 63.16% conviction rate, while Faridkot stood at 70.67%. Both SSOC Fazilka (71.43%) and the Commissionerate of Police in Amritsar (71.15%) also lagged behind.
Among major commissionerates, while Ludhiana (90.15%) and Jalandhar (87.79%) excelled, Amritsar's performance at 71.15% remained a concern. It is noteworthy that several districts like Jalandhar Rural (2,136 cases), Nawanshahr (1,451), Tarn Taran (1,404), Moga (1,375), and Patiala (1,373) handled massive caseloads yet managed to post high conviction levels.
Strengthening the Fight: The Four-Tier NCORD Mechanism
In its response, the Union Home Ministry detailed enhanced coordination and technology-driven measures adopted to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. A key initiative is the establishment of a four-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism. This structure is designed to improve synergy among central and state agencies for more effective drug law enforcement.
Furthermore, Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTF) have been established in all states and Union Territories. These task forces function as the secretariat for the NCORD mechanism at the local level, ensuring focused action on the ground.
To empower investigators and maintain comprehensive records, the government has developed the National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAAN) portal. This IT-driven system provides crucial details of offenders booked under the NDPS Act, aiding in tracking and investigation across jurisdictions.
The conviction data serves as a critical performance indicator for Punjab's multi-pronged strategy, which focuses on dismantling supply chains and taking stringent action against smugglers and peddlers. While the overall high conviction rate marks a positive trend, the disparities between districts underscore the need for consistent application of best practices across all police units in the state.
