KATHMANDU: India has topped the global list of doping offenders for the third consecutive year, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), dealing a major blow to the country’s sporting image.
In its annual report published late Tuesday, WADA said India’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) collected 7,113 urine and blood samples in 2024, of which 260 tested positive, the highest number recorded by any country.
The findings come at a sensitive time for India, which is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and has expressed ambitions to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
According to the report, athletics recorded the highest number of doping cases (76), followed by weightlifting (43) and wrestling (29). In July, under-23 wrestling champion and Paris Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda tested positive and was provisionally suspended.
Doping concerns have also surfaced at grassroots levels. At India’s University Games earlier this month, reports said several athletes skipped track and field events due to the presence of anti-doping officials, with only one athlete appearing for some competitions.
India, the world’s most populous country with around 1.4 billion people, had also topped the doping list in 2022 and 2023.
In comparison, France recorded the second-highest number of positive cases in 2024 with 91, followed by Italy (85). Russia and the United States reported 76 cases each, while Germany (54) and China (43) followed.
Responding to the report, NADA India defended its anti-doping efforts, stating that the country has significantly strengthened its framework in recent years.
“To tackle the menace of doping in sports, NADA India has not only increased the number of tests but also enhanced education and awareness programmes,” the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.
NADA added that as of December 16, it had conducted 7,068 tests this year, with 110 positive cases detected so far.
The WADA report follows concerns raised earlier this year by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which urged India to address what it described as widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs.
In response, the Indian Olympic Association formed a new anti-doping panel in August, while the government passed a national anti-doping bill aimed at strengthening enforcement, expanding testing facilities, and ensuring higher standards of integrity in sports.
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