India has recorded the highest number of doping offenders globally for the third consecutive year, according to the latest World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) report. According to the WADA’s 2024 report, India recorded 260 positive doping cases from 7,113 samples— a 3.6% positivity rate as shown in below charts. This figure is more than double of any other nation’s numbers, as no other country exceeded a 1.75% positivity rate in 2024.

Norway documented the second-highest proportion of positive cases at 1.75%, followed by the U.S. at 1.15%. In terms of absolute figures, France registered the next highest volume of violations in 2024 with 91 cases, followed closely by Italy with 85. Russia and the U.S. reported 76 cases each, while Germany and China recorded 54 and 43 cases, respectively.

Crucially, these nations recorded fewer positive results in both absolute and percentage terms than India, despite maintaining much more rigorous testing regimes. China, for example, conducted over 24,000 tests in 2024, more than triple India’s volume, yet reported fewer than one-fifth of the violations.

The findings have come at a time when India is positioning itself as a credible global sporting host. The country is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, seen as a stepping stone towards its larger ambition of hosting the 2036 Olympics.

Sport-wise data from India shows that athletics recorded the most positive results in absolute terms. Of the 260 positive cases in 2024, as many as 76 came from athletics, followed by weightlifting (43) and wrestling (29). Boxing and powerlifting recorded 17 cases each, while kabaddi accounted for 10 cases.  

These figures reflect a pattern that has held over several years, with endurance and strength-based sports dominating the list of violations. In July, under-23 wrestling champion and Paris Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda tested positive for banned substances and was provisionally suspended, drawing attention to doping risks even among elite athletes.

At the grass-roots level, enforcement itself appears to be a deterrent. During India’s University Games earlier this month, there were reports of several athletes skipping track and field events after anti-doping officials arrived at venues, in some cases leaving only a single competitor to participate.

India’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has defended its record, arguing that higher numbers reflect improved detection rather than rising drug use. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the agency said India had “significantly strengthened” its anti-doping framework in recent years.

However, global comparisons suggest that India’s problem is not merely one of testing volume. Several countries with comparable or higher testing numbers continue to report far lower positivity rates.

The WADA report comes months after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed concern over the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in India and urged authorities to “set their house in order”. In response, the Indian Olympic Association constituted a new anti-doping panel in August.

The government has also moved to tighten the legal framework. Parliament recently passed the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, incorporating changes sought by WADA to bring India’s anti-doping regime in line with global standards. The Bill prohibits doping in sports, and provides a framework for testing, enforcement, and adjudication of violations.

Note: Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) is a laboratory report identifying the presence of a Prohibited Substance or its metabolites or markers (including elevated quantities of endogenous substances) or evidence of the use of a Prohibited Method, in line with WADA standards.

The data for the charts were sourced from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) Report from 2022, 2023 and 2024

devyanshi.b@thehindu.co.in