AIU Flags India As 'High-Risk' In Global Doping Crackdown; Indian Athletics Under Pressure

Last Updated:April 20, 2026, 15:45 IST

India enters AIU’s highest doping-risk category, triggering stricter testing. Officials cite rising violations and weak systems as concerns ahead of 2030 CWG and 2036 Olympics bid.

India’s athletics system is under sharper global scrutiny than ever.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has elevated the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to its highest-risk Category A classification, placing it alongside nations like Russia, Kenya and Ethiopia in terms of doping risk.

The upgrade from Category B to Category A means Indian athletes will now face stricter anti-doping protocols, including higher testing thresholds and tighter compliance requirements.

A Long-Standing Pattern

In all honesty, the AIU’s decision shouldn’t come as a surprise at all.

India ranked among the top two countries globally for anti-doping violations in athletics between 2022 and 2025, with much being talked about the long-standing concerns regarding the same.

“The doping situation in India has been high-risk for a long time and, unfortunately, the quality of the domestic anti-doping programme is simply not proportionate to the doping risk," said AIU chair David Howman.

“While the AFI has advocated for anti-doping reforms within India, not enough has changed."

More Testing, More Positives?

AFI officials argue that the spike in violations is partly due to increased testing, with spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla insisting that stricter monitoring is exposing more offenders.

“There’s nothing wrong with more scrutiny. More athletes are getting caught in India because more tests are being conducted," he said.

“We are fighting it tooth and nail. The crooks and criminals doing it should be stopped by the police."

The AFI added that it is working with the AIU, the Sports Ministry, and National Anti-Doping Authorities to implement reforms, including pushing for the criminalisation of doping.

A Deeper Issue On Display

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) chief Witold Banka recently described the availability of performance-enhancing drugs in India as a “serious problem," even calling the country the largest producer of such substances.

Authorities are now looking at disrupting supply chains, with law enforcement expected to play a bigger role moving forward.

And here’s the other thing: the timing couldn’t be more significant.

India is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is pushing to secure the 2036 Olympic Games.

While WADA has clarified that doping concerns alone won’t derail hosting ambitions, the issue has already been flagged by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a key area of improvement,

Recent cases, like the two-year ban handed to Asian Games gold medallist Prathamesh Jawkar for a whereabouts failure, only highlight the ongoing challenges.

(with agency inputs)

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