India's Dubious Distinction: Doping as a Major Impediment to Global Sports Power Status
India's ambition to establish itself as a global sports power faces a significant hurdle, underscored by its dubious distinction of topping the table for dope positive cases for the third consecutive year. With major events like the 2029 World Police and Fire Games, the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and a potential bid for the 2036 Olympic Games on the horizon, this high rate of doping is alarming.
The 2024 figures released by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reveal that India registered 260 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) out of 7,113 tests, resulting in a positivity rate of 3.6%, placing it ahead of France (91) and Italy (85). While India lags behind China in total testing volume, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) attributes the high positivity rate to increased testing efforts. NADA data shows a fluctuating trend, with 110 positive cases (1.5%) recorded up to December 16 this year, down from previous years.
However, the issue runs deeper than just testing statistics. Instances of athletes evading testing and suspensions of support staff for abetting doping point towards a 'deeper malaise' within the sports ecosystem. The Sports Ministry acknowledges that the lure of government jobs through sports quotas and lucrative cash awards for medals may incentivize athletes to take performance-enhancing drugs.
To counter this menace, India has passed the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Nevertheless, overcoming the challenge—whether driven by need, greed, or ignorance—requires more than legislation. Under pressure from the International Olympic Committee, India must take decisive steps, including ensuring NADA's true independence and substantially increasing its funding to match the evolving scientific sophistication of doping practices.