Doping: India tops testing figures for third year in a row
For the third year in succession, India has topped the testing figures of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for 2024.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) tested 7113 samples, including 537 of that of blood, in 2024 and reported 257 adverse analytical findings (AAFs) at 3.6 per cent. India had also topped the world charts in 2022 (125 AAFs) and 2023 (213). NADA did not test in the category of dried blood spots (DBS) in 2024.
Overall, the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), New Delhi, tested 7651 samples in 2024 and returned 268 positive cases at 3.65 per cent, the highest among all accredited laboratories around the world. It may be noted, NDTL tests samples from foreign countries also, mainly from the neighbours.
The total number of Indians who were caught in the doping net in 2024 would only be known when the figures from other agencies, say for example, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), are known in respect of Indian athletes. The total anti-doping rule violations (ADRV) which would be published later would reveal the number of athletes sanctioned by various agencies including NADA.
As in the recent past, athletics topped the Indian figures, having 76 positive cases from 1852 samples at 3.7 per cent. For comparison, the AIU which tests world-wide and in all competitions that come under its authority, tested 9701 samples and got 69 AAFs at 0.7 per cent.
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Weightlifting, though it did only 664 samples in Indian testing figures, returned a high 43 cases at 6.5 per cent while wrestling had 29 cases from 414 samples at seven per cent.
NADA’s higher numbers and percentages were to be expected since it had hiked the number of samples from 5606 in 2023 to 7113 in 2024. Though the increased numbers have to be appreciated as the result of NADA’s stepped-up testing, it should also cause concern that so many athletes are still resorting to these unfair means. The sight of empty syringes, needles and vials at athletics stadia and training centres across the country portray a dismal picture of ‘doping at all costs’ since athletes apparently feel it helps open up job opportunities and promotional avenues., not to speak of crores in incentive awards.
Among the National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs), France returned the second highest number of AAFs behind India at 91, followed by Italy (85), Russia and the USA (76 each) and Germany (54). In 2022, NADA had 125 positive cases while RUSADA had 85 and the US 84.
In India, as per WADA report, anabolic agents (steroids) were top-most among the favourite substances with 195 cases, stimulants came next with 45 and peptide hormones third with 43. Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) including EPO, dEPO etc., contributed 33 cases reported by NDTL. The popularity of EPO among Indian middle-distance and distance runners has gone up considerably in recent years.
Among laboratories, Cologne (32511 samples; 170 positive cases), Paris (26484; 170), Seibersdorf, Austria (25481; 140), Beijing (21396; 41) and Lausanne (20573; 88) were the ones to test the maximum number of samples in 2024. Salt Lake (12793; 114) and Los Angeles (6081; 63) contributed the American figures. Montreal had 100 AAFs from 13638 samples, while Barcelona had 12594 samples and 107 cases and London tested 9940 samples for 33 cases.
Published on Dec 17, 2025