In a major blow to its sporting reputation, India has been moved to the Athletics Integrity Unit’s (AIU) “Category A” list, joining nations like Russia and Kenya deemed at extremely high risk of doping. This elevation means that Indian athletes will now face significantly more stringent anti-doping requirements and closer international scrutiny.
The AIU’s decision comes after reports revealed that India ranked in the top two for anti-doping violations globally between 2022 and 2025. AIU Chair David Howman stated that the current domestic anti-doping program in India is simply not proportionate to the scale of the risk. Despite advocacy for reforms within the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the AIU maintains that not enough progress has been made to safeguard the integrity of the sport.
This development arrives at a critical time as India prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and eyes a potential bid for the 2036 Olympics. While WADA chief Witold Banka recently highlighted India as a major producer of performance-enhancing drugs, he noted that these statistics might not necessarily block India’s ambitions to host global events, provided reforms are enacted. Recent high-profile cases, such as the two-year ban on Asian Games medalist Prathamesh Jawkar, continue to highlight the challenges facing the nation’s sporting landscape.
