Nagaland University Researchers Propose Digital Rehabilitation Law to Modernise Addiction Recovery in India

Lumami, Nagaland, December 17, 2025: Researchers from the Department of Law, Nagaland University have proposed a forward-looking Digital Rehabilitation Law aimed at integrating Artificial Intelligence, telemedicine and mobile health technologies into India’s drug addiction recovery framework.

The study addresses India’s growing substance abuse challenge and highlights how traditional rehabilitation systems remain inaccessible, understaffed and burdened by stigma. It argues for positioning rehabilitation as a core component of national public health policy through ethical and legally regulated use of digital technologies.

The research was conducted by Dr. Rumi Dhar and Ms. Tania Anya and published in the KDU Law Journal, a peer-reviewed, internationally indexed journal by the Faculty of Law, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.

The analysis examines existing laws such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, Telemedicine Practice Guidelines 2020, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, identifying legal gaps related to privacy, informed consent, algorithmic transparency and accountability as AI-driven counselling and relapse prediction tools gain prominence.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik praised the research, stating that it reflects Nagaland University’s commitment to socially relevant scholarship that strengthens patient rights, expands access to care and supports evidence-based policymaking.

Dr. Rumi Dhar noted that while technology can significantly improve rehabilitation access, especially in rural and underserved regions, strong legal safeguards are essential to protect patient dignity and rights. Ms. Tania Anya added that key recommendations include establishing a National Digital Rehabilitation Regulatory Authority, amending the NDPS Act to recognise digital rehabilitation pathways, launching AI and telemedicine pilot programmes, and improving digital literacy among healthcare providers and patients.

The study also references successful global models, including mobile health applications, AI-based relapse prediction tools, and telemedicine networks, suggesting that integration with platforms like e-Sanjeevani could transform addiction care delivery across India.

Click Here for More Science & Technology