The decision has been taken by the Athletics Integrity Unit, which is responsible for enforcing anti-doping rules across world athletics.
India Placed in Highest Risk Category for Doping in Athletics, Faces Strict Global Monitoring
India’s athletics programme is expected to come under stricter anti-doping surveillance after global athletics authorities flagged a sustained pattern of violations and placed the country under heightened monitoring. The development will mean tighter testing protocols and closer oversight of athletes and support personnel in the coming period.
The decision has been taken by the Athletics Integrity Unit, which is responsible for enforcing anti-doping rules across world athletics. Based on its assessment of recent data, India has been placed in the highest risk category under its classification system, where countries are subjected to the most rigorous compliance checks.
Data reviewed over recent years shows a consistent level of anti-doping rule violations in Indian athletics. The figures include 48 cases in 2022, 63 in 2023 and 71 in 2024, followed by 30 cases in 2025. While the most recent year shows a decline, the overall trend has kept India among the nations with a high number of infractions.
Officials associated with the process have noted that although reform measures and discussions have taken place at the national level, the scale of improvement has not fully matched the challenges being observed. The global body is expected to coordinate with national authorities to strengthen enforcement systems and preventive frameworks.
The seriousness of the issue is further reflected in the number of individuals currently under sanctions, with around 148 athletes and support staff from India suspended for doping-related violations. The classification aims to ensure more effective monitoring and safeguard the integrity of competition.
