Offences and penalties under NDPS Act MCQs With Answer

Introduction: Offences and penalties under NDPS Act MCQs With Answer provides B.Pharm students a focused guide to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. This introduction explains core concepts such as regulated narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, licensing, prescription requirements, record-keeping, trafficking offences, seizure and forfeiture, and penalties. Understanding NDPS compliance is essential for pharmacists involved in dispensing, manufacture, storage and transport of controlled medicines. The material emphasizes legal responsibilities, safeguards for legitimate medical use, and risks of non-compliance. Clear knowledge of offences, classifications (small/commercial quantity) and penalties helps protect patient care and professional practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. In which year was the NDPS Act enacted?

• 1970
• 1985
• 1993
• 2001

Correct Answer: 1985

Q2. What is the primary objective of the NDPS Act?

• To completely ban all drugs including for medical use
• To regulate narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, prevent illicit trafficking and ensure availability for medical and scientific use
• To promote recreational drug use under supervision
• To transfer drug regulation entirely to states without central oversight

Correct Answer: To regulate narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, prevent illicit trafficking and ensure availability for medical and scientific use

Q3. Which categories of substances are covered by the NDPS Act?

• Only psychotropic substances
• Only narcotic drugs
• Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
• All over-the-counter medicines

Correct Answer: Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances

Q4. How are offences under the NDPS Act generally classified in terms of prosecution?

• Non-cognizable, bailable and compoundable
• Cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable
• Cognizable, bailable and compoundable
• Non-cognizable, non-bailable and compoundable

Correct Answer: Cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable

Q5. Who notifies the statutory limits such as “small quantity” and “commercial quantity” under the NDPS regime?

• State Governments
• Central Government
• Municipal Authorities
• Pharmacy Council

Correct Answer: Central Government

Q6. What types of penalties does the NDPS Act provide?

• Only fines
• Only imprisonment
• Imprisonment, fines and forfeiture of property
• Community service only

Correct Answer: Imprisonment, fines and forfeiture of property

Q7. What is required from a pharmacist before dispensing controlled narcotic medications like morphine?

• No documentation if patient is known
• Valid prescription, appropriate licence and accurate record-keeping
• Only verbal consent from patient
• Permission from a family member

Correct Answer: Valid prescription, appropriate licence and accurate record-keeping

Q8. How does the NDPS Act treat possession of drugs in commercial quantities?

• As a minor administrative lapse
• As trafficking with more severe penalties
• As a civil matter only
• As allowed if for research purposes without licence

Correct Answer: As trafficking with more severe penalties

Q9. Who issues licences for manufacture, possession or sale of narcotic and psychotropic substances?

• Local municipal council
• Designated licensing authority under the NDPS framework
• Any registered pharmacist
• Central excise without specific NDPS rules

Correct Answer: Designated licensing authority under the NDPS framework

Q10. Are trials for NDPS offences conducted by regular criminal courts or special courts?

• Regular civil courts only
• Special courts designated to try NDPS offences
• Only administrative tribunals
• International tribunals

Correct Answer: Special courts designated to try NDPS offences

Q11. Does the NDPS Act include provisions for treatment and rehabilitation of addicts?

• No, it only punishes offenders
• Yes, it includes measures for treatment and rehabilitation
• Only for minors, not adults
• Treatment is left entirely to NGOs without legal backing

Correct Answer: Yes, it includes measures for treatment and rehabilitation

Q12. Can property used in the commission of NDPS offences be seized and forfeited?

• No, property protection is absolute
• Yes, courts can order seizure and forfeiture of property used in trafficking
• Only vehicles can be seized, not buildings
• Only cash can be forfeited

Correct Answer: Yes, courts can order seizure and forfeiture of property used in trafficking

Q13. Are attempt, abetment and conspiracy to commit NDPS offences punishable?

• No, only completed offences are punishable
• Yes, attempt, abetment and conspiracy are punishable
• Only conspiracy is punishable, not attempt
• Only abetment by public officials is punishable

Correct Answer: Yes, attempt, abetment and conspiracy are punishable

Q14. Do authorised NDPS officers have powers to search, seize and arrest in NDPS cases?

• No, they must always obtain a warrant
• Yes, authorised officers have powers to search, seize and arrest (including in certain cases without a warrant)
• They can only observe and report to police
• They can only issue fines but not arrest

Correct Answer: Yes, authorised officers have powers to search, seize and arrest (including in certain cases without a warrant)

Q15. Does the NDPS Act take precedence over other laws when there is a conflict?

• No, other laws always prevail
• Yes, NDPS as a special statute prevails on matters it covers
• Only state laws prevail over NDPS
• International laws always override NDPS

Correct Answer: Yes, NDPS as a special statute prevails on matters it covers

Q16. Is consumption/possession for personal use addressed by the NDPS Act?

• No, personal use is outside the Act
• Yes, personal consumption is addressed and penalties depend on quantity and intent
• Only possession in public places is covered
• Only licensed users can be penalized

Correct Answer: Yes, personal consumption is addressed and penalties depend on quantity and intent

Q17. Can NDPS offences be compounded by mutual agreement between parties?

• Yes, always compoundable
• No, offences under NDPS are non-compoundable
• Only minor offences can be compounded
• Only with court approval in all cases

Correct Answer: No, offences under NDPS are non-compoundable

Q18. Who is responsible for declaring what constitutes “small quantity” or “commercial quantity” for specific drugs?

• Each hospital’s medical board
• Central Government notifications and rules
• Local police stations
• Individual pharmacists

Correct Answer: Central Government notifications and rules

Q19. What records must a pharmacist maintain under NDPS compliance?

• No records are required
• Accurate records of stock, procurement, dispensing and prescriptions for controlled substances
• Only purchase invoices are needed
• Only verbal logs kept by staff are sufficient

Correct Answer: Accurate records of stock, procurement, dispensing and prescriptions for controlled substances

Q20. What is a consequence of dispensing narcotics without a valid prescription and licence?

• No consequence if small quantity
• Possible criminal prosecution, fines and licence cancellation
• Only a warning letter is issued
• Only civil damages apply

Correct Answer: Possible criminal prosecution, fines and licence cancellation

Q21. How are bail provisions under the NDPS Act generally described?

• Bail is routinely granted without conditions
• Bail provisions are stringent and not a matter of right for serious offences
• Bail is never permitted under any circumstances
• Bail is determined by local police only

Correct Answer: Bail provisions are stringent and not a matter of right for serious offences

Q22. Do psychotropic medicines such as benzodiazepines fall under NDPS controls?

• No, psychotropic medicines are excluded
• Yes, many psychotropic substances like benzodiazepines are controlled under NDPS
• Only sedatives are controlled, not benzodiazepines
• Only stimulants are controlled

Correct Answer: Yes, many psychotropic substances like benzodiazepines are controlled under NDPS

Q23. Is import and export of narcotic drugs regulated under the NDPS Act?

• No, international trade is outside NDPS
• Yes, import/export are regulated and require licences and permission
• Import is regulated but export is not
• Only exports for research are regulated

Correct Answer: Yes, import/export are regulated and require licences and permission

Q24. Can hospitals and medical institutions legally stock narcotics for pain management under NDPS?

• No, hospitals cannot stock narcotics
• Yes, hospitals can stock narcotics with proper licence and record-keeping
• Only overseas hospitals may stock them
• Hospitals can stock without limit if for emergencies

Correct Answer: Yes, hospitals can stock narcotics with proper licence and record-keeping

Q25. How do penalties for commercial quantity offences generally compare to small quantity offences?

• Penalties are the same regardless of quantity
• Commercial quantity offences attract heavier penalties than small quantity offences
• Small quantity always attracts maximum penalty
• Quantity has no impact on sentencing

Correct Answer: Commercial quantity offences attract heavier penalties than small quantity offences

Q26. Can a pharmacist be prosecuted for incomplete or late record-keeping of controlled drugs?

• No, record-keeping is optional
• Yes, failure to maintain accurate records is an offence under NDPS regulations
• Only repeated failures trigger prosecution
• Only managers, not pharmacists, are liable

Correct Answer: Yes, failure to maintain accurate records is an offence under NDPS regulations

Q27. Can large-scale trafficking offences under NDPS lead to very long imprisonment terms?

• No, only short jail terms are prescribed
• Yes, serious trafficking can attract long imprisonment terms (including life in certain cases) and heavy fines
• Only fines are imposed for large-scale trafficking
• Trafficking is punished by administrative penalties only

Correct Answer: Yes, serious trafficking can attract long imprisonment terms (including life in certain cases) and heavy fines

Q28. Are pharmacists permitted to procure raw narcotic materials for legitimate pharmaceutical manufacture?

• No, raw materials are banned for manufacturers
• Yes, but only with proper licences, approvals and strict compliance with NDPS rules
• Only pharmacists can self-authorise procurement
• Procurement is unrestricted for research institutes

Correct Answer: Yes, but only with proper licences, approvals and strict compliance with NDPS rules

Q29. Is selling psychotropic medicines without a valid prescription a criminal offence under NDPS controls?

• No, prescriptions are optional
• Yes, selling without a valid prescription can lead to criminal liability
• Only if sold to minors
• Only if sold more than once to the same person

Correct Answer: Yes, selling without a valid prescription can lead to criminal liability

Q30. What is a key professional role for B.Pharm graduates regarding NDPS compliance?

• To ignore NDPS rules and focus only on sales
• To ensure compliance with licensing, lawful dispensing, accurate record-keeping and patient education about controlled substances
• To promote unregulated access to controlled medicines
• To avoid involvement in narcotic management entirely

Correct Answer: To ensure compliance with licensing, lawful dispensing, accurate record-keeping and patient education about controlled substances

G S Sachin

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