India’s Jagjit Pavadia was re-elected as a member of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) for the third term from 2025 to 2030.
- She previously served as a member of INCB for two terms: 2015–2020 and 2020–2025. She also served as President of the INCB for 2021–2022.
Note:
INCB is the independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body for the implementation of the United Nations(UN) international drug control conventions.
About Jagjit Pavadia:
i.Jagjit Pavadia, a 1979 batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, held several senior positions in the Government of India (GoI) before her retirement in 2014.
ii.She served as the Narcotics Commissioner of India at the Central Bureau of Narcotics (2006–2012), Commissioner of Legal Affairs (2001–2005), and Chief Vigilance Officer at the Power Finance Corporation (1996–2001).
About International Narcotics Control Board:
i.The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) was established in 1968 in accordance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961.
ii.INCB, in cooperation with governments of all countries, ensures that adequate supplies of drugs are available for medical and scientific uses.
iii.It monitors governments’ control over chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of drugs and assists them in preventing the diversion of those chemicals into illicit traffic.
Members of INCB:
i.The INCB comprises 13 members elected by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), serving in their capacity rather than as government representatives.
ii.Among the 13 members, three with medical, pharmacological, or pharmaceutical backgrounds are elected from a list of nominees by the World Health Organization (WHO).
iii.Additionally, 10 members are elected from a list of nominees by the respective governments.
India was also elected as a member of the following UN bodies:
i.Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for the term 2025-2029;
ii.Executive Board of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the term 2025-2027.
iii.Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for the term 2025–2027.
iv.Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) for the term 2025-2027.
v.Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP) for the term 2025-2027.
About UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):
i.The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six main organs of the United Nations and deals with economic, social, cultural, and health matters, as well as human rights and fundamental freedoms.
ii.ECOSOC oversees functions of UN subsidiary bodies, composed of regional commissions, functional commissions, expert bodies, standing committees, and ad hoc bodies.
iii.It is also responsible for the follow-up to major UN conferences and summits.
President – Paula Narváez
Members – 54(including India)
Established – 1945
