India Faces Stricter Anti-Doping Measures Amid Rising Violations

India is grappling with a significant rise in doping violations among athletes, prompting stricter testing protocols from anti-doping organizations. With the Athletics Federation of India now classified as high-risk, the country faces increased scrutiny. AIU Chair David Howman has expressed concerns over the inadequacy of domestic anti-doping programs. Meanwhile, WADA President Witold Banka warns that India's Olympic aspirations could be jeopardized without compliance. This article delves into the implications of these developments for Indian athletics and the ongoing battle against doping.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 20, 2026, 20:34 IST

Increased Doping Violations Prompt Stricter Testing in India

The surge in doping cases among Indian athletes has led to enhanced scrutiny from anti-doping organizations. Over the past two years, India has reported the highest number of anti-doping rule violations in athletics. With 63 violations recorded in 2025, the country is on track to surpass this figure, having already documented 30 violations this year. In 2022 and 2023, India ranked second with 48 and 63 violations, respectively.

In response to the alarming rise in doping incidents, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has been elevated from ‘Category B’ to ‘Category A’ by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) under Rule 15 of the World Athletics’ Anti-Doping Regulations.

This classification system categorizes member federations into ‘A’, ‘B’, or ‘C’ based on their doping risk, with ‘A’ indicating a high-risk status due to a consistent increase in doping cases.

AIU Chair David Howman stated, “The doping situation in India has been a significant concern for an extended period, and regrettably, the domestic anti-doping program's quality does not match the level of risk.”

He further noted that while the AFI has pushed for anti-doping reforms, progress has been insufficient. The AIU plans to collaborate with the AFI to implement necessary reforms to protect the integrity of athletics, similar to efforts made with other ‘Category A’ federations.

Howman also mentioned that the Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA) could be downgraded from ‘Category A’ to ‘Category B’ in 2027 if current measures remain effective throughout 2026.

This is not the first warning directed at India from anti-doping officials. Recently, Witold Banka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), emphasized the need for India to combat doping or risk jeopardizing its aspirations to host the Olympics. According to him, a WADA compliance report is crucial for India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics to be taken seriously by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Banka remarked, “India is a major producer of illegal performance-enhancing drugs and steroids, which poses a significant challenge.” He stressed that without WADA's compliance, hosting major sporting events like the Olympics and World Championships would be impossible. WADA's mission is to assist in creating a clean sport and ensuring a fair competition environment for athletes.