NEW DELHI: India has ranked first in the world for sports doping violations for the third consecutive year, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), dealing a blow to the country’s sporting ambitions. The findings come as India prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and eyes a future Olympic bid.
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In its annual report released late Tuesday, WADA said India’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) collected 7,113 urine and blood samples in 2024. Out of these, 260 samples tested positive, placing India at the top of the global list of doping offenders.
Athletics recorded the highest number of violations with 76 cases, followed by weightlifting with 43 and wrestling with 29. High-profile cases included under-23 wrestling champion and Paris Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda, who tested positive in July and was provisionally suspended.
For the third year running, India has achieved the dubious distinction of being the country with the highest number of dope cheats in the world. pic.twitter.com/14JYKS9bHl
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) December 18, 2025
Concerns over doping have also affected domestic competitions. At India’s University Games earlier this month, reports emerged of athletes avoiding events due to the presence of anti-doping officials, highlighting the scale of the issue at grassroots levels.
India, home to about 1.4 billion people, had also topped the doping charts in 2022 and 2023. In comparison, France recorded 91 positive cases in 2024, Italy 85, while Russia and the United States each reported 76 cases. Germany followed with 54 and China with 43.
Responding to the report, NADA defended its efforts, stating that India’s anti-doping framework has been significantly strengthened. It said increased testing, along with greater emphasis on education and awareness, reflects a more robust enforcement system rather than rising misuse alone.
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The report follows earlier concerns raised by the International Olympic Committee, which urged India to address the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs. In response, authorities have formed a new anti-doping panel and passed legislation to tighten enforcement and protect the integrity of sport.