The Ministry of Finance (MoF), on October 23, 2026, notified the general eligibility conditions for grant and continuation of licences for cultivation of opium poppy for production of un-lanced poppy straw, from which no juice is extracted through lancing, for the crop year commencing October 1, 2026 and ending September 30, 2027, under Rule 8 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules, 1985.
The notification specifies the eligible categories of cultivators, including existing licensees meeting the prescribed yield criteria, certain previously suspended or de-licensed cultivators, eligible legal heirs and other specified categories. Eligible cultivators shall be granted a licence for 0.05 hectares in one plot. First-time eligible cultivators shall receive a five-crop-year licence, subject to compliance with prescribed conditions. Further, cultivators are required to achieve an average yield of 900 kg per hectare of un-lanced poppy capsules along with straw during 2026-27 to qualify for licensing in the following crop year.
The notification also prescribes conditions relating to the 5% permissible excess cultivation limit, prohibition on illicit cultivation, compliance with departmental instructions, submission of online applications through the Central Bureau of Narcotics portal and payment for harvested poppy straw at rates determined by the Government. The licensing conditions shall apply to the 2026-27 opium crop year.
[Notification No. 02/2026-Narcotics Control-I, G.S.R. 913(E)]
