NCB notifies 2-bromo-4-methylpropiophenone as controlled substance under NDRP Act
New Delhi, June 16
The Narcotics Control Bureau has issued a public notice alerting manufacturers, traders, importers, exporters and other stakeholders about the inclusion of "2-Bromo-4-Methylpropiophenone" as a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, through Notification dated March 11, 2026, officially placed this chemical under the NDPS (Regulation of Controlled Substances) Order, 2013. The move comes in response to its growing misuse as a key precursor in the illicit manufacture of mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone), a potent psychotropic substance widely abused across the country.
The notification aims to tighten regulatory oversight of the precursor chemical and disrupt the supply chain for synthetic drugs. All individuals and entities engaged in the manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, possession, storage, consumption, import, export or any commercial dealing of 2-Bromo-4-Methylpropiophenone, including through websites, social media or electronic platforms, must now obtain a registration number in Form A from the jurisdictional Zonal Director of the NCB.
Stakeholders have been directed to submit their registration applications in Form B to the concerned NCB Zonal Unit on or before August 7, 2026, to ensure the timely issuance of registration numbers within the statutory 180-day period.
Additionally, all manufacturers, traders, distributors, importers, exporters and consumers holding stocks of the substance as of June 30, 2026, must furnish complete details in Form X to the NCB on or before July 10, 2026.
The notice warns that any person or entity dealing with the substance in contravention of the provisions of the NDPS Act after September 7, 2026, will face strict penal action under Section 25A of the Act. Detailed procedures, prescribed forms and jurisdictional information are available on the NCB Precursors Portal.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone in the chemical industry, I welcome this regulation. We need clear guidelines for precursors. But the 180-day registration window and Form X deadline are short for businesses with existing stock. Hope NCB provides proper guidance to small manufacturers who might not know about these notifications. 🙏
Mephedrone party culture in India is alarming. Glad to see the govt cracking down on synthetic drug manufacturing. But why only this chemical? There are dozens of other precursors used in illicit labs across Punjab and Haryana. NCB should do a comprehensive list, not just piecemeal notifications.
Good to see India tightening precursor controls. This aligns with global efforts to stop synthetic drug trafficking. But enforcement will be key—many Indian chemical units operate informally. Hope NCB does outreach to educate smaller firms about these rules, else compliance will be patchy. 👍
So now all transactions of this chemical need NCB registration? What about its use in legitimate industries like pharmaceuticals? Hope there's a clear list of exempted uses for research and manufacturing. Otherwise, genuine businesses will get caught in bureaucratic red tape while illegal labs still find ways. 🤔
Important step, but India needs a real-time tracking system for precursor chemicals like the US has. Without digital monitoring and coordination with state police, illicit manufacturers will just switch to new unlisted chemicals. The cat-and-mouse game continues. 🧪
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.