The Athletics World Integrity Unit (AIU) has officially moved India to Category A, the group with the highest doping risk in international athletics. The decision, effective from April 20, 2026, follows what the AIU describes as a persistently extremely high level of risk and a domestic anti-doping program that has failed to keep up with the scale of the problem.
This recategorization puts India alongside a select few countries under the strictest scrutiny of World Athletics’ Anti-Doping Rules.
AIU’s decision comes at a delicate time for India’s global sporting ambitions. The country was officially awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad late last year and remains a leading contender in the 2036 Olympic bid.
NUMBERS BEHIND THE RED FLAG
The AIU’s decision is supported by a worrying trend in anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) recorded over the past four years. According to a WADA-affiliated AIU report, India consistently ranks at the very top of the global list of violations:
- 2022: 48 ADRV (second globally)
- 2023: 63 ADRV (2nd globally)
- 2024: 71 ADRV (first worldwide)
- 2025: 30 ADRV to date (first in the world)
The AIU noted that while the figures for 2025 are currently 30, there is usually a significant time lag in reporting the final figures, suggesting that the actual number for the previous year could be significantly higher.
NEW STRICT OBLIGATIONS
With the move to ‘Category A’, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is now bound by more punitive oversight. Rule 15 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules mandates that federations responsible for high-risk profiles must meet “minimum testing requirements” for their national team athletes to remain eligible for major championships.
In his assessment of the Indian situation, AIU President David Howman pointed out: “The doping situation in India has long been high-risk, and unfortunately the quality of the domestic anti-doping program is simply not commensurate with the doping risk. While the AFI has been advocating for anti-doping reforms in India, not enough has changed.”
Howman went on to clarify that the AIU will now take a hands-on approach: “The AIU will now work with the AFI to achieve reforms that will ensure the integrity of the sport of athletics, as we have done with other ‘Category A’ member federations.”
The change in categorization follows a recent visit to India by WADA President Witold Bank, who raised the alarm over the ease with which performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) are available across the country. The bank took the unusual step of meeting senior officials of India’s police department to address a “serious problem” in supply chains, according to Reuters.
AFI spokeswoman Adille Sumariwalla, also vice-president of World Athletics, acknowledged the gravity of the situation but said the high numbers were partly the result of increased vigilance.
“The AFI has a strong plan and we are all for the criminalization of doping in this country,” Sumariwalla told the news agency.
“There is nothing wrong with more scrutiny. More athletes will be caught in India because more tests are being done.”
“We are fighting this tooth and nail. Fraudsters and criminals who do this should be stopped by the police. We are not the police, our job is to make policy and the government is helping.”
Sumariwalla also stressed that the AFI is all for the criminalization of doping in this country to discourage cheaters aiding the use of banned substances.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
20 Apr 2026 16:02 IST
Tune in
