Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 is essential for B.Pharm students to understand the legal framework governing controlled substances. This introduction highlights the Act’s core objectives: preventing illicit manufacture, trafficking and abuse while ensuring availability for legitimate medical and scientific use. Key concepts include licensing, record-keeping, prescription norms, penalties, enforcement agencies and provisions for treatment and rehabilitation. A clear grasp of these objectives helps pharmacists ensure regulatory compliance, safe dispensing, responsible storage and contribution to public health. This material links statutory duties to everyday pharmacy practice, preparing you for professional responsibilities under NDPS. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the primary objective of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985?
- To prevent illicit trafficking and misuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
- To promote recreational use of controlled substances
- To regulate the pricing of pharmaceutical drugs
- To provide subsidies for drug manufacturers
Correct Answer: To prevent illicit trafficking and misuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Q2. Which of the following is also an important objective of the NDPS Act besides control and prevention?
- Ensuring availability of controlled substances for legitimate medical and scientific purposes
- Encouraging non-regulated import of psychotropic substances
- Providing tax exemptions to narcotic producers
- Permitting advertising of narcotic medicines
Correct Answer: Ensuring availability of controlled substances for legitimate medical and scientific purposes
Q3. Who is authorized under the NDPS Act to issue licenses for manufacture and distribution of controlled substances?
- The Appropriate Government (Central or State as notified)
- Local municipal bodies
- Any registered pharmacist
- Private corporations without oversight
Correct Answer: The Appropriate Government (Central or State as notified)
Q4. Which of the following best describes NDPS offences in legal terms?
- Cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable
- Non-cognizable and bailable
- Cognizable but always bailable
- Compoundable and non-cognizable
Correct Answer: Cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable
Q5. Which central agency is primarily responsible for coordinating enforcement of NDPS-related policies in India?
- Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
- Food Safety and Standards Authority
- Pharmacy Council of India
- Central Pollution Control Board
Correct Answer: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
Q6. Which of the following obligations applies to pharmacists under the NDPS Act?
- Maintain detailed records/registers of stock, purchase and sales of controlled substances
- Dispose of controlled substances without records
- Allow dispensing on verbal requests without documentation
- Share prescription details publicly
Correct Answer: Maintain detailed records/registers of stock, purchase and sales of controlled substances
Q7. The NDPS Act aims to meet India’s obligations under international treaties. Which type of international instruments does it primarily implement?
- United Nations drug control conventions and related international instruments
- World Trade Organization agreements on pharmaceuticals
- International Monetary Fund guidelines
- WHO dietary supplement recommendations
Correct Answer: United Nations drug control conventions and related international instruments
Q8. Which of the following activities is regulated by the NDPS Act in relation to opioids used in medicine?
- Manufacture, import, export, transport, sale and distribution under license
- Unrestricted over-the-counter sale
- Home manufacture without permission
- Public advertising for non-medical use
Correct Answer: Manufacture, import, export, transport, sale and distribution under license
Q9. Under the NDPS framework, what is the purpose of defining ‘commercial quantity’ and ‘small quantity’?
- To determine the quantum of punishment applicable for offences
- To set retail prices for drugs
- To allocate production quotas to private firms only
- To define packaging sizes for pharmacies
Correct Answer: To determine the quantum of punishment applicable for offences
Q10. Which provision of the NDPS Act supports public health by addressing drug dependence?
- Provisions for treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of addicts
- Provision to abolish all substitution therapies
- Provision for indefinite detention without treatment
- Provision to criminalize family members of addicts
Correct Answer: Provisions for treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of addicts
Q11. Which professionals are legally permitted to prescribe narcotic and psychotropic medicines for legitimate medical use?
- Registered medical practitioners in accordance with the Act and rules
- Any salesperson in a medical shop
- Unregistered healers
- Pharmacy students without registration
Correct Answer: Registered medical practitioners in accordance with the Act and rules
Q12. Under NDPS, seizures of illegally trafficked drugs may lead to which of the following legal consequences?
- Forfeiture of property and assets derived from illicit activity
- Automatic compensation to the trafficker
- Immediate release of seized consignments without inquiry
- Transfer of seized goods to private firms
Correct Answer: Forfeiture of property and assets derived from illicit activity
Q13. Which statement best reflects the NDPS Act’s stance on balancing access and control?
- Ensure availability for medical/scientific use while preventing diversion and abuse
- Prohibit all use including medical use
- Permit unrestricted access for all citizens
- Focus solely on export promotion
Correct Answer: Ensure availability for medical/scientific use while preventing diversion and abuse
Q14. Which of the following is a mandatory administrative duty for pharmacies under NDPS rules?
- Maintain and preserve prescriptions and sale records of controlled drugs for specified periods
- Dispose of prescriptions immediately after sale
- Sell controlled drugs without checking prescriptions
- Avoid any interaction with regulatory authorities
Correct Answer: Maintain and preserve prescriptions and sale records of controlled drugs for specified periods
Q15. The NDPS Act was enacted in which year?
- 1985
- 1975
- 1999
- 2005
Correct Answer: 1985
Q16. Which of the following kinds of substances are covered under the NDPS Act?
- Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances including certain precursor chemicals
- Only vitamins and minerals
- All over-the-counter cough syrups only
- Only herbal supplements
Correct Answer: Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances including certain precursor chemicals
Q17. Which of these enforcement powers does the NDPS Act explicitly provide?
- Search, seizure and arrest powers to authorized officers for combating illicit trafficking
- Authority to conduct commercial marketing without control
- Power to set retail pharmacy margins
- Power to grant medical licenses to unqualified individuals
Correct Answer: Search, seizure and arrest powers to authorized officers for combating illicit trafficking
Q18. Under NDPS, which of the following is true about penalties?
- Severity of penalty varies with the quantity (small, intermediate, commercial)
- All offences attract a single fixed fine irrespective of quantity
- Penalties are optional
- Only warnings are issued, no imprisonment
Correct Answer: Severity of penalty varies with the quantity (small, intermediate, commercial)
Q19. Which judicial arrangement is commonly used for speedy trials of NDPS cases?
- Special Courts appointed under the NDPS Act
- Family courts
- Consumer forums
- Arbitration panels
Correct Answer: Special Courts appointed under the NDPS Act
Q20. For pharmacists, what is the legal consequence of dispensing a controlled substance without a valid prescription?
- Prosecution under the NDPS Act including penalties and possible imprisonment
- Receipt of an award from regulatory authorities
- Automatic license upgrade
- No consequence if patient requests
Correct Answer: Prosecution under the NDPS Act including penalties and possible imprisonment
Q21. Which of the following is NOT an objective of the NDPS Act?
- To facilitate unrestricted advertising and promotion of narcotics
- To control diversion of drugs to illegal channels
- To provide a legal framework for licensing and regulation
- To support rehabilitation and treatment programs
Correct Answer: To facilitate unrestricted advertising and promotion of narcotics
Q22. Which term describes amounts that attract the maximum punishment under the NDPS Act?
- Commercial quantity
- Small quantity
- Homeopathic quantity
- Retail quantity
Correct Answer: Commercial quantity
Q23. Does the NDPS Act regulate precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of narcotic and psychotropic substances?
- Yes, it includes provisions to control certain precursor chemicals
- No, precursors are entirely unregulated
- Precursors are regulated by postal laws only
- Precursors are allowed without documentation
Correct Answer: Yes, it includes provisions to control certain precursor chemicals
Q24. Which of the following is a responsibility of the Appropriate Government under the NDPS Act?
- Frame rules for licensing, control and monitoring of narcotic activities
- Provide free narcotics for recreational use
- Authorize untrained persons to prescribe hallucinogens
- Publish drug formulas publicly for non-medical use
Correct Answer: Frame rules for licensing, control and monitoring of narcotic activities
Q25. Which body may coordinate rehabilitation and treatment strategies for drug dependence alongside law enforcement under the NDPS framework?
- Health authorities in collaboration with social and rehabilitation services
- Only private security firms
- Only import-export businesses
- Commercial drug promoters
Correct Answer: Health authorities in collaboration with social and rehabilitation services
Q26. Which of the following reflects the NDPS Act’s approach to legitimate medical use?
- Legitimate medical use is permitted under strict licensing and documentation
- All medical use is banned
- Medical use is permitted without prescription
- Only veterinary use is allowed
Correct Answer: Legitimate medical use is permitted under strict licensing and documentation
Q27. Who must typically be the in-charge person responsible for record-keeping of controlled substances in a pharmacy?
- Pharmacist-in-charge or designated responsible pharmacist
- Any customer visiting the pharmacy
- Junior trainee without supervision
- External marketing representative
Correct Answer: Pharmacist-in-charge or designated responsible pharmacist
Q28. Which of the following is true about international cooperation under the NDPS regime?
- Act facilitates cooperation with foreign agencies for controlling cross-border trafficking
- International cooperation is forbidden
- Only local police act independently without information exchange
- Cross-border seizures are never coordinated
Correct Answer: Act facilitates cooperation with foreign agencies for controlling cross-border trafficking
Q29. Which of the following measures does the NDPS Act use to deter illicit narcotics trade?
- Punitive measures including imprisonment, fines and forfeiture along with regulatory controls
- Only mild warnings with no penalties
- Tax rebates for traffickers
- Government endorsement of illegal imports
Correct Answer: Punitive measures including imprisonment, fines and forfeiture along with regulatory controls
Q30. The NDPS Act’s objectives relevant to pharmacists include which of the following?
- Ensuring lawful procurement/dispensing, record-keeping, preventing diversion and aiding patient care and rehabilitation
- Allowing discretionary sale without prescriptions
- Encouraging informal trade in controlled substances
- Promoting recreational use within pharmacies
Correct Answer: Ensuring lawful procurement/dispensing, record-keeping, preventing diversion and aiding patient care and rehabilitation
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com