India has registered a staggering 260 positive doping cases in 2024, the highest ever recorded in the country, according to data revealed by the Sports Ministry during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) conducted 7,466 tests, surpassing the previous record of 224 cases in 2019.
Athletics once again topped the doping charts with 76 violations, followed by weightlifting (43), wrestling (29), and boxing (17). The revelation comes just months after India led global doping statistics in 2023 with 213 cases, as per the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Responding to MP Imran Pratapgarhi’s query, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya affirmed the government’s commitment to curbing doping, stating that stringent measures and awareness campaigns are underway to protect the integrity of Indian sports.
The spike in violations has raised concerns about systemic issues, lack of education, and the pressures faced by athletes in high-stakes competitions.
