India's Doping Crisis: Elite Sport's Dark Underbelly Exposed

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New Delhi: For the third consecutive year, India has topped the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) list of nations with the highest number of doping offenders. A staggering 260 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) have raised serious concerns about the prevalence of doping in Indian sports. Athletics, weightlifting, and wrestling are the most affected disciplines, accounting for 57% of the total AAFs. The country's dismal record has put a spotlight on its preparations to host several high-profile international events in the near future. National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) officials claim that the high number of AAFs is a result of rigorous testing, with 7113 samples tested in 2024. However, experts argue that this is merely a symptom of a deeper issue. A number of federation officials and coaches have attributed the doping menace to job opportunities and cash rewards. 'A lot of our athletes know they don't stand a chance to make the national team, let alone win an international medal,' said Adille Sumariwalla, Athletics Federation of India spokesperson. 'For them, getting the Khelo India scholarship is enough, and together with complying parents and coaches, they willingly go down that road.' To combat the issue, experts are calling for increased testing, particularly at the grassroots level. 'Just ramp up the testing and watch the magic unfold,' said Vijay Sharma, National weightlifting coach. 'Two years of intense testing will throw up far bigger AAF numbers but it will potentially eradicate the menace.' However, NADA is defending its testing strategy, citing a significant drop in AAFs. The agency claims to have tested 7068 samples as on December 16, 2025, with 110 AAFs (1.5% positivity rate). Experts, however, are skeptical about the accuracy of these figures. The National Anti-Doping Bill 2025 has been hailed as a step in the right direction, but it stops short of criminalising doping. 'Unless we put the offenders – athletes, coaches, suppliers, and drug traffickers – behind the bars, the situation will remain grim,' said Sumariwalla. As India grapples with its doping crisis, it remains to be seen whether the country will take concrete steps to address the issue and restore its reputation in the world of sports.