New Delhi, April 20,2026: The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has placed the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in its “Category A” list of high-risk nations, mandating tougher anti-doping requirements for Indian athletes effective immediately.
The promotion to the highest-risk tier follows a surge in violations, with India ranking among the top two globally for doping offenses between 2022 and 2025. AIU Chairman David Howman stated that India’s domestic testing programs have failed to keep pace with its “high-risk” doping environment.
Stricter compliance measures
Under Category A status, Indian athletes face:
- Strict minimum testing requirements for all national-team athletes.
- Enhanced monitoring of domestic competitions and training camps.
- Close collaboration between the AIU and AFI to overhaul integrity protocols.
The move comes at a critical time for India, which is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is actively bidding for the 2036 Olympics. WADA President Witold Banka recently labeled the easy availability of performance-enhancing drugs in India a “serious problem,” calling on federal police to disrupt illegal supply chains.
AFI Spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla welcomed the increased scrutiny, noting that the federation is advocating to criminalize doping. “We are fighting it tooth and nail,” Sumariwalla told Reuters, attributing the high number of cases to increased testing frequency.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has previously warned Indian officials that curbing the “doping menace” is essential to the success of any future Olympic bids.
