Indian athletes have once again topped the global list for doping violations, with the country recording the highest number of adverse analytical findings (AAFs) in 2024, according to the latest report released by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The report, published on WADA’s official website late Tuesday, shows that India accounted for 260 doping-related violations during the year, making it the world’s worst doping offender for the third consecutive year. The findings come at a sensitive time, with India preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and actively pursuing a bid for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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India records highest positivity rate among major testing nations
WADA data shows that India registered a positivity rate of 3.6 per cent, the highest among countries that conducted more than 5,000 tests in 2024. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), headquartered in New Delhi, carried out 7,113 tests, including 6,576 urine samples and 537 blood samples.
Of these, 253 urine samples tested positive for prohibited substances out of which 196 were collected during competition and 57 outside competition. In addition, seven blood samples failed doping controls, with four taken in competition and three out of competition.
The findings have once again drawn attention to the scale of doping within Indian sport, particularly as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has previously flagged concerns over anti-doping compliance. During a visit by an Indian delegation to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne in July, doping controls were raised as a key issue while assessing India’s Olympic hosting ambitions.
Comparison with other major sporting nations
Several leading sporting countries recorded significantly lower positivity rates despite conducting more extensive testing. France tested 11,744 samples and reported 91 anti-doping rule violations, translating to a 0.8 per cent positivity rate. Russia, which led global doping charts until 2021, recorded 76 violations from 10,514 tests, a 0.7 per cent rate. China reported just 43 positive cases from 24,214 samples, resulting in a 0.2 per cent positivity rate.
The United States conducted 6,592 tests, fewer than India, and recorded a 1.1 per cent positivity rate, according to the report.
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NADA cites aggressive testing as reason for higher numbers
Responding to the figures, NADA maintained that the high number of positives reflects a more aggressive and expanded testing programme, rather than an increase in doping prevalence. In a statement, the agency said the data must be viewed in the context of improved detection and enforcement.
“In 2023, 213 adverse findings were recorded from 5,606 samples. The higher number in 2024 is a result of wider testing and stronger detection mechanisms,” NADA said.
The agency added that in 2025 so far, it has conducted 7,068 tests, with 110 adverse findings, bringing the positivity rate down to 1.5 per cent.
Systemic gaps highlighted
The WADA report also underlined structural issues within Indian sport, pointing to a lack of awareness among coaches, doctors and physiotherapists attached to teams across disciplines. Recent research indicates that a lack of information regarding the use of medications, supplements, and performance-enhancing chemicals continues to be a contributing factor to violations.
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A new anti-doping commission was recently established by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in response to the problem, and a national anti-doping bill was passed by the government with the goal of enhancing compliance and guaranteeing higher standards of sport integrity.
Despite these steps, the most recent data highlights how difficult it is for India to establish itself as a trustworthy venue for upcoming international athletic competitions.
