The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) Director General Anant Kumar has emphasised the importance of education as the primary defence against doping, acknowledging the evolving nature of the problem and the need for constant upgrades in monitoring mechanisms.
India is developing legislation to criminalise the trafficking and administration of performance-enhancing drugs to athletes, aiming to combat doping and uphold sports integrity.
The Sports Ministry has invested over Rs 702 crore in the last three years to prepare Indian athletes for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, featuring 310 debutants.
India is set to begin its Asian Games shooting campaign in Nagoya with a formidable 30-member squad, featuring Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and other world-class performers. The team aims to build on its previous success, with strong prospects in rifle, pistol, and shotgun events, facing a significant challenge from China.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) achieved a significant success with a tip-off leading to the confiscation of prohibited substances, including anabolic steroids, in Najafgarh, following a joint operation with local police and food safety officials.
WADA president Witold Banka, who was in India last week, called the easy availability of performance-enhancing drugs in the country a "serious problem", and met senior officials of India's federal police seeking help to disrupt supply chains.
The Sports Ministry has approved a 492-member Indian contingent, comprising 265 male and 227 female athletes, for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Athletics forms the largest group with 73 participants, including star athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Jyothi Yarraji. Other prominent sports like shooting, weightlifting, badminton, boxing, and wrestling also feature strong teams, with some adjustments made due to doping violations.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has implemented a new two-stage trial system for the 2026 Senior World Championships. This policy allows wrestlers participating in the Asian Games to also compete for a spot in the World Championships team through a "final trial," addressing the overlap between the two major events. The first phase of trials is scheduled for September 14-15, with specific provisions for certain weight categories and U23 championships.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Witold Banka is in Delhi for discussions with NADA officials regarding India's increasing doping cases. He is expected to address the issue in a press conference.
The Delhi High Court has sought WFI's response on Vinesh Phogat's plea to participate in the September 14 selection trials for the 2026 World Championship.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has banned Pakistani weightlifting officials for life and a weightlifter for four years due to doping violations.
India has overtaken Kenya to lead the Athletics Integrity Unit's list of ineligible persons due to doping violations, with 148 suspended track and field athletes.
Olympian Vinesh Phogat has moved the Delhi High Court challenging two show-cause notices issued by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and subsequent disciplinary proceedings.
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has responded to the ICC and PCB regarding his positive dope test during the T20 World Cup, denying intentional use of banned substances.
Birmingham Commonwealth Games silver-medallist judoka Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for three whereabouts failures, leading to her withdrawal from the ongoing Glasgow edition. This comes after another judoka, Arun Kumar, was also withdrawn for a dope test failure.
The Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA are actively discussing to make psychoactive substance testing standards for all commercial pilots.
Junior Commonwealth gold medallist Sairaj Pardeshi faces a provisional doping ban after testing positive, while alleging a conspiracy to sabotage his career.
Tripura's Asmita Dey, the first Indian judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold, was grandly felicitated by the state government. She received a Rs 10 lakh cheque and a plot of land in Agartala, with Chief Minister Manik Saha highlighting her inspiring journey and urging her to focus on the upcoming Asian Games.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by NADA for three whereabouts failures, leading to her withdrawal from the ongoing Glasgow edition. She faces a potential two-year ban, making her the second Indian judoka pulled from the Games due to anti-doping violations.
Commonwealth Championships gold medalist Sairaj Pardeshi has been provisionally suspended by NADA after testing positive for a banned substance. The weightlifter alleges a conspiracy to sabotage his career.
South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has publicly criticised Cricket Australia's decision to offer a pathway back into competitive cricket for transgender athlete Anaya Bangar, stating, "Absolutely ridiculous. This should not be allowed."
World Boxing has lifted restrictions on Russian boxers, allowing them to compete under their national flag in international events, moving away from the previous neutral status requirement. This decision aligns with a broader trend by the International Olympic Committee to reintegrate Russian athletes into global sports, particularly ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The governing body will, however, monitor their conduct and anti-doping compliance.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has enhanced its intelligence gathering tool to allow two-way communication with anonymous informers of doping and other ethical violations in athletics, while preserving their confidentiality.
Indian judoka Harsh Tokas, inspired by Olympic champion Lasha Bekauri, is determined to win India's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in judo at his debut in Glasgow, competing in the men's 81kg category.
Chelsea is undergoing a significant close-season transformation under new manager Xabi Alonso, with major signings like Morgan Rogers.
The International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted its ban on the Russian Olympic Committee, which was imposed in 2023. This decision opens the door for Russian athletes to return to international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, though the use of national symbols remains undecided.
R V S Mani, former Under Secretary of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, has alleged that drug trafficking was a regular practice by Pakistani cricket teams and delegations visiting India, linking it to the 2006 doping scandal involving Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, and even the death of coach Bob Woolmer.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya affirmed India's commitment to hosting the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, promising an exceptional event and a lasting institutional legacy. He highlighted India's support for governance reforms, anti-doping measures, and initiatives like Khelo India, while also advocating for a stronger, member-driven framework for Commonwealth sports.
Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been banned for four years after missing a doping test, leading the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) to demand a greater say for athletes in anti-doping regulations. Vondrousova cited safety concerns for not opening her door to a doping control officer late at night, while the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) maintains that unpredictable testing is crucial for clean sport.
Indian boxer Sachin Siwach advanced to the pre-quarterfinals in the men's 60kg class, while the women's lawn bowls pair of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh secured their third consecutive victory at the Commonwealth Games. Despite some disappointments in swimming and wheelchair basketball, India is looking forward to potential medals, with Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu expected to retain her weightlifting crown.
India concluded its 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign with a strong performance, securing fourth place with 39 medals despite a reduced sporting programme.
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu will not attempt the coveted 90kg snatch at the Commonwealth Games, instead prioritising the upcoming Asian Games where she aims to secure her first medal in the competition.
The Delhi High Court has directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to make a decision within two weeks on the show-cause notice issued to grappler Vinesh Phogat concerning alleged indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations. The court closed proceedings on Phogat's petition after her Asian Games selection trial grievance became infructuous, but she may file a fresh petition on broader selection policy issues.
India's para sports athletes scripted history at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games as they equalled the haul of all the previous editions put together, winning seven medals, including one gold and silver on Saturday.
Pooja Aatmaram has been suspended under Article 2.3 of the World Anti-Doping Agency's code.
The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) and Shree Guru Govind Singh Tricentenary (SGT) University have signed an MoU to promote clean sport through joint research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building. This partnership aims to advance scientific research in anti-doping, forensic analysis, and healthcare diagnostics, while also shaping the next generation of professionals in these fields.
India finished fourth at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with 39 medals, overcoming the absence of traditional medal-winning sports. The contingent's success was driven by a record-breaking boxing campaign, a historic performance in judo, and strong contributions from para athletes, showcasing the country's expanding sporting depth.
Indian middle-distance runner Twinkle Chaudhary has been banned for four years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for a banned substance. She was cleared of breaching her provisional suspension.
A recent policy decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to demand a $25,000 fee for players' No Objection Certificates (NOCs) left Haris Rauf -- signed by the San Francisco Unicorns -- as the country's sole representative in the USA's Major League Cricket (MLC) this year.
The Sports Ministry has provisionally recognised the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) as a National Sports Federation (NSF), a move aimed at promoting motorsport and facilitating Formula 1's return to India. This recognition requires FMSCI to amend its constitution to comply with governance acts, and a Task Force is being established to assess the benefits and challenges of hosting major motorsport events.
