Sports Ministry Instructs NCSSR To Develop Sport-Specific Fitness Protocols For Athletes

Last Updated:March 12, 2026, 14:58 IST

In a letter to the Indian Olympic Association and the National Sports Federations, the ministry indicated that the Sports Authority of India would coordinate the entire process.

To standardise the medical assessment of athletes representing India, the Sports Ministry has instructed the National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) to create discipline-specific protocols for periodic fitness reviews. These must be mandatorily uploaded to the National Sports Repository System.

In a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the National Sports Federations (NSFs), the ministry indicated that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) would coordinate the entire process.

“In line with the policy framework of Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, which emphasises the integration of sports science and technology, it has been decided to introduce a standardised, dynamic, and robust mechanism for athletes representing India in international competitions," the letter stated.

The letter further added that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR), in coordination with the concerned NSFs, will develop sport-specific fitness protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). SAI will advise the NSFs on implementing these protocols once finalised.

Currently, the fitness assessment of elite athletes, who are part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, is overseen by the Mission Olympic Cell, while the national federations also conduct such assessments during camps. However, once the NCSSR establishes the Standard Operating Procedure, it will become the sole regulator of the process.

The NCSSR will be responsible for scientific oversight, validation, and periodic review of the fitness protocols and SOPs. NSFs must ensure that fitness assessments of athletes are conducted strictly according to the prescribed sports-specific test protocols, including informed consent and medical safety of athletes, at NCSSR facilities. The letter did not specify a timeline for implementation but stated that all assessment data must be uploaded to the National Sports Repository System (NSRS).

The NSFs have also been instructed to publish an Annual Fitness Testing Calendar on their respective websites in consultation with SAI.

Athletes are tested quarterly for medical condition, fitness level, and biomechanics, particularly before major events. Additionally, the ministry has directed the NSFs to ensure that the food supplements consumed by athletes are tested at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) and/or the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) before being procured.

This measure aims to mitigate the risk of athletes consuming prohibited substances from contaminated, spiked, or mislabelled nutritional supplements. The NSFs have also been instructed to maintain records of testing reports and batch details for traceability and to continue raising awareness among athletes, coaches, and support staff about the risks associated with unverified supplements.

India has a significant doping problem and has topped the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Annual Testing Figures’ positivity rate for the past three years.

(With Inputs Form Agencies)

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