Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) Recruitment 2026 - Sarkari Naukri

The use of opium for medicinal purposes in India can be traced back as far back as 1000 AD where it finds mention in ancient texts such as “Dhanwantri Nighantu” as a remedy for variety of ailments. . In Emperor Akbar time (1543 to 1605) opium was cultivated extensively in the Malwa (in MP) and Mewar (in Rajasthan) regions. The opium poppy contains alkaloids such as morphine, codeine, thebaine, narcotine, papavarine which have analgesic, anti-tussive and anti-spasmodic properties.

During the British East India Company Rule, collection of revenue from opium was made part of fiscal policy and various Opium Agencies such as the Bengal, Benaras, Bihar, Malwa Agencies were formed over time. Prior to 1950, the administration of the Narcotics Laws, namely, the Opium Act of 1857 & 1878 and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1930 vested with the Provincial Government. The amalgamation of these Agencies laid the foundation of the Opium Department in November, 1950 which is presently known as Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN). The headquarters of Central Bureau of Narcotics was shifted from Shimla to Gwalior in 1960.