Overview
- The Department of Revenue notified 2‑Bromo‑4‑Methylpropiophenone as a controlled substance on March 11, 2026, citing its growing use to make the synthetic stimulant mephedrone.
- The Narcotics Control Bureau has directed all makers, traders, importers, exporters, distributors and online sellers dealing with the chemical to obtain registration from their NCB zonal director using Forms A and B.
- Companies must report inventories held as of June 30, 2026, by July 10, 2026, and submit registration applications by August 7, 2026 so NCB can issue numbers within the statutory 180‑day window.
- Failure to comply with the NDPS rules after September 7, 2026, will expose persons and entities to penal action under Section 25A of the NDPS Act.
- The measure balances law enforcement and legitimate trade because the compound is also a common intermediate for approved medicines, agrochemical ingredients and specialty industrial products, so firms and regulators face short‑term supply and compliance challenges.