Unpacking India’s Surprising Rise in Anti-Doping Violations in Athletics

Summary – Between 2022 and 2025, India emerged as one of the top nations for Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) in athletics, raising critical questions about sports governance and athlete support.,

Article –

India’s recent rise as one of the top countries for Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) between 2022 and 2025 reveals deep challenges within its athletics community. This development extends beyond statistics, prompting urgent reflection on sports governance, athlete support, and the integrity of competitive athletics.

Setting the Stage

The unexpected ranking of India near the top for ADRVs signals significant issues amid the nation’s growing ambition in athletics. Despite efforts to promote clean sport, the surge in doping violations recorded by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) highlights gaps that demand attention.

The Turning Point

From 2022 to 2025, the Indian athletics scene expanded rapidly, yet this was paralleled by a troubling increase in doping cases. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has made public commitments to anti-doping education and enforcement, but the persistent numbers suggest underlying systemic problems. Coaches, athletes, and support staff struggle with the tension between competitive success and regulatory compliance, questioning the effectiveness of current oversight.

Tactical and Technical Breakdown

The rise in ADRVs can be attributed to both technical and psychological factors:

• Tactical factors: The use of prohibited substances such as anabolic agents, stimulants, and hormones is an attempt by athletes and coaches to gain a competitive edge by enhancing endurance, strength, or recovery.
• Psychological factors: Intense national expectations place heavy pressure on Indian athletes, which, combined with misinformation and insufficient support for safe training methods, can lead to risky behaviors.
• Infrastructure gaps: Inconsistent testing and educational outreach leave athletes vulnerable to unintentional violations.

Reactions from the Sport

The response within the athletics community has been multifaceted:

1. International federations and anti-doping agencies maintain zero-tolerance policies, emphasizing the need to preserve the integrity of sport worldwide.
2. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has intensified anti-doping workshops, enhanced testing protocols, and expanded athlete support programs.
3. Prominent athletes advocate for transparency and education to reduce stigma and encourage a culture of clean competition.
4. Experts in sport ethics recommend a holistic approach combining governance strength, improved testing accuracy, and cultural change that prioritizes clean sport over medals.

What Comes Next?

India’s position among the highest in ADRVs serves as a call to action requiring:

• Close collaboration between the Athletics Federation of India and global bodies to enhance testing and education.
• Implementation of stronger governance frameworks and increased funding for anti-doping operations.
• Adoption of innovative technologies for improved drug detection.

The broader consequences encompass sponsorship relations, athlete rankings, and India’s international reputation. Sponsors demand clean sport associations, and ongoing doping concerns threaten to undermine recent athletic achievements. Maintaining athlete trust and fan confidence is crucial, reinforcing that anti-doping efforts are vital to the sport’s future.

Ultimately, India faces the challenge and opportunity to lead by example in anti-doping vigilance, thereby solidifying its position on the global athletics stage. Continued attention and action will be essential to transforming this situation into a positive legacy.

About The Author

Mitali

See author's posts