India Placed in ‘Extremely High’ Doping Risk Category, Says Athletics Integrity Unit
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has classified India as an “extremely high-risk” nation for doping in athletics, placing it in Category A alongside several other countries under strict monitoring.
According to the AIU, India has been upgraded from Category B after showing continued anti-doping concerns in recent years. Category A status means Indian athletes will now face stricter testing and compliance requirements under international regulations.
AIU chair David Howman stated that the level of doping risk in India remains high and that domestic anti-doping systems are not sufficiently aligned with the scale of the problem. He added that stronger reforms are needed to ensure compliance with global standards.
The AIU report noted that India ranked among the top countries for anti-doping rule violations in athletics between 2022 and 2025.
Other nations currently in the same high-risk category include Russia, Belarus, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ukraine.
Officials from the AIU said they will work closely with India’s athletics governing body to improve anti-doping measures and strengthen enforcement systems.
India’s athletics federation has previously advocated for reforms, but the AIU says progress has been limited so far.
The development comes as India prepares for major international sporting ambitions, including hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and its long-term bid for the 2036 Olympics.
Separately, global anti-doping authorities continue to monitor compliance worldwide, emphasizing that stricter systems are essential to maintaining fairness in competitive sports.
