World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2024 Testing Figures Report has confirmed the bitter-sweet news placing India on top of the dubious heap with 260 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) in a total of 7113 samples. India has seen a slight decrease in the percentage of positives from 2023, from 3.8 per cent the previous year to 3.6 per cent in 2024.
It is not a chart that India would like to be at the top, but it reflects the success of the National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) testing strategy. Clearly, anti-doping education and sanctions in the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021, have not deterred athletes from indulging in doping. Perhaps the time has come for India to introduce stringent penalties for the perpetrators.
While it is the second successive year that India has topped the 200 mark in the WADA Testing Figures Report, it is significant that no other Testing Authority, which include International Federations, National Ant-Doping Organisations and other Anti-Doping Organisations which are WADA Code signatories, has reached the triple-figure mark.
It is a matter of grave concern that India has nearly three times the number of the country with the next highest number, France (91). Italy (85), Russia and the United States of America (76 each) complete the top five. Germany (54) is the only other country with more than 50 positives for prohibited substances.
The top 10 disciplines in which positives were reported in India in 2024 were Athletics (76), Weightlifting (43), Wrestling (29), Powerlifting (17), Kabaddi (10), Bodybuilding (8), Judo (6), Wrestling (for athletes with impairment) and Wushu (5 each). A total of 32 sports are part of this dubious list
In terms of percentage of positive in disciplines in which more than 50 samples were tested in 2024, Powerlifting tops with 31.48 per cent ahead of Wrestling (7 per cent), Weightlifting (6.48 per cent), Kabaddi (5.52 per cent), Wushu (4.50 per cent), Boxing (4.12) and Athletics (4.08), each higher than the national average of 3.6 per cent.
India’s plight could have been worse if NADA had tested more athletes from the disciplines of Bodybuilding, Boxing, Powerlifting, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Wushu. NADA has scrambled to point out that things have changed in 2025, with only 110 positives in 7068 samples as of Tuesday.
“While this position (260 positives in 2024) may appear concerning at both national and international levels, it is essential to underscore that the figures are a direct outcome of India’s intensified anti-doping efforts, marked by expanded testing and stronger detection mechanisms rather than a surge in doping prevalence,” NADA said in a note.
“NADA India has not only increased the number of tests but also has increased the emphasis on education & awareness. The data reflects that the overall anti-doping ecosystem is becoming more robust, with improvements visible across testing, awareness, and preventive mechanisms,” the NADA note claimed.
Graphic created with AI assistance and is not to scale
