The stadium lights at the National Training Center hum with an electric buzz, casting long, sharp shadows across the synthetic track. You can smell the rubber and the sharp tang of sweat in the air. For an outsider, it’s the smell of ambition. But for the officials at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, there is a different, more pungent scent lingering in the corridors—the scent of a crisis.
On December 20, 2025, the reality of Indian sports has hit a crossroads. While our athletes are breaking records, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has just handed us a “dubious hat-trick.” For the third year in a row, India has topped the global list of doping offenders. If you want to know how deep this rabbit hole goes, you can Find Out Your self right here as we find and put them into this blog—the cold, hard numbers that are threatening our 2036 Olympic dream.
The Dubious Hat-Trick: India’s Doping Numbers in 2024
The latest WADA report, released on December 16, 2025, paints a grim picture. While countries like China and the US are testing more and catching fewer, India’s “positivity rate” is soaring.
- Total Samples Collected (2024): 7,113
- Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs): 260
- Positivity Rate: 3.6%
- The Comparison: France had 91 cases, Italy 85, and China—despite conducting 24,000+ tests—had only 43.
This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a siren. A 3.6% positivity rate means that nearly 1 in every 27 athletes tested is walking around with a prohibited substance in their system. In competition-specific testing, that number jumps to an alarming 1 in 5.
The Ministry’s Verdict: Desperation Over Discipline
“High level of dope cases is a concern,” the Sports Ministry stated on Friday. But why is this happening? Ministry sources point to a “culture of shortcuts.”
Imagine a young athlete from a rural village. They see the glimmer of a government job or a State-sponsored cash award (often reaching crores of rupees). For many, these rewards are life-altering. The pressure to win isn’t just about pride; it’s about survival.
“Athletes and coaches have to rise above their desperation for government jobs,” a Ministry source told TOI. “This lure leads to inadvertent or intentional usage of supplements and banned drugs without proper vetting.”
The “Fleeing” Phenomenon: Athletics and Wrestling Under Fire
The numbers are most concentrated in three specific disciplines: Athletics, Weightlifting, and Wrestling.
Discipline | 2024 Doping Cases |
Athletics | 76 |
Weightlifting | 43 |
Wrestling | 29 |
Boxing/Powerlifting | 17 each |
The most visceral example of this crisis occurred at the Khelo India University Games. Reports emerged of athletes literally fleeing the track. In events like the 400m hurdles, spectators watched in confusion as only one athlete showed up to the starting line. The reason? Word had spread that NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) officials were in the building. The sound of running feet wasn’t toward the finish line, but toward the exits.
The 2025 Pivot: Is NADA Finally Winning?
Despite the “shame” of the 2024 report, the Ministry and NADA are pointing to a “miraculous” shift in 2025. As of December 16, 2025, the data suggests the tide might be turning.
- 2025 Tests Conducted: 7,068
- 2025 Positive Cases: 110
- Current Positivity Rate: 1.5%
NADA attributes this drop to the “Know Your Medicine” App, which saw searches jump from 2.4 lakh to 4.5 lakh this year. It allows athletes to scan a barcode and instantly see if a supplement or medicine contains a banned substance. It’s the sound of a beep that could save a career.
The Legal Hammer: National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act, 2025
The government isn’t just watching from the sidelines. In August 2025, Parliament passed the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act.
What changes in January 2026?
- Operational Independence: NADA will have full autonomy from sports federations and government departments, as demanded by WADA.
- Mandatory Accreditation: Every lab testing Indian samples must have WADA accreditation—no exceptions.
- Direct Appeal to CAS: International-level athletes can now appeal directly to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, bypassing local panels for faster justice.
However, experts like Adille Sumariwalla (AFI President) argue that even this isn’t enough. He advocates for the criminalization of doping. Until coaches and suppliers face jail time, the “doping machinery” will continue to grind.
The Olympic Stakes: A Bid in Jeopardy?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already flagged India’s record. As we prepare to pitch for the 2036 Olympics, our integrity is our currency. You can’t host the world’s greatest clean-sport event while being the world’s biggest offender.
The Ministry’s concern is rooted in this reality. Every positive test in 2024 is a “no” vote for 2036. The Ministry is now facilitating a “Zero Tolerance” policy that goes beyond testing—it’s about changing the DNA of Indian sports.
Summary Table: Global Doping Offenders 2024
Country | Tests Conducted | Positive Cases | % Rate |
India | 7,113 | 260 | 3.6% |
France | 11,744 | 91 | 0.8% |
Russia | 10,514 | 76 | 0.7% |
USA | 6,592 | 76 | 1.1% |
China | 24,214 | 43 | 0.2% |
The Road Ahead: Clean Sport, Clean Future
As we look toward 2026, the Ministry’s “concern” must translate into culture. We need the smell of the track to remain pure. We need our athletes to understand that a gold medal earned through a syringe isn’t a victory—it’s a debt that will eventually be called in.
Find Out Your self: Do you think the 1.5% drop in 2025 is a sign of real change or just a change in testing strategy?
