India has topped the global rankings for doping violations in sports for the third year running, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) annual report, released on Tuesday has shown.
India’s National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) collected 7,113 urine and blood samples in 2024, with 260 testing positive, WADA reported.
The findings deliver a significant setback to India as it prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and pursues its ambition to host the 2036 Olympics.
Athletics recorded the highest number of violations with 76 cases, followed by weightlifting with 43 and wrestling with 29. Among those suspended was under-23 wrestling champion and Paris Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda, who tested positive in July.
At India’s University Games earlier this month, only one athlete appeared for some track and field events after others reportedly fled when anti-doping officials arrived.
With a population of 1.4 billion, India has held the unwanted distinction of leading global doping statistics since 2022.
France recorded the second-highest number of positive cases in 2024 with 91, followed by Italy with 85. Russia and the United States each reported 76 cases, while Germany had 54 and China had 43.
NADA defended its anti-doping efforts following the report’s release. “In recent years, India has witnessed a significant strengthening of its anti-doping framework,” the agency said in a Wednesday statement.
“To tackle the menace of doping in sports, NADA India has not only increased the number of tests but also increased the emphasis on education and awareness.”
The agency added that it had conducted 7,068 tests through December 16 this year, resulting in 110 positive cases.
The WADA report arrives months after the International Olympic Committee raised concerns about widespread performance-enhancing drug use in India and called on the country to address the problem.
The Indian Olympic Association responded in August by forming a new anti-doping panel.
Indian government has also passed new national anti-doping legislation in August this year, to strengthen enforcement, expand testing facilities and ensure the highest standards of integrity in sports.