Doping crisis: India records highest positivity rate in WADA’s 2024 testing report
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India continues to struggle with doping violations, recording the highest positivity rate among countries that conducted 5,000 or more tests in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Testing Figures Report for 2024.
This is an issue that could weigh heavily as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) evaluates India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
According to the report, India carried out 7,113 tests last year — 6,576 urine samples and 537 blood samples — resulting in 260 adverse analytical findings. This translates to a positivity rate of 3.6%, the highest among all major testing nations. In comparison, India’s positivity rate in 2023 stood at 3.8%, with 213 adverse findings from 5,606 tests.
China, which conducted 24,214 tests in 2024, reported a positivity rate of just 0.2%.
The United States carried out 6,592 tests and recorded a positivity rate of 1.1%.
Russia, despite its history of doping controversies, conducted 10,514 tests and returned a positivity rate of 0.7%, with only 76 adverse results.
Although countries like Pakistan and Mongolia showed higher positivity rates, their testing volumes were significantly lower.
Responding to the findings, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) said the numbers reflect intensified testing and improved detection rather than an actual surge in doping prevalence. “While this position may appear concerning at both national and international levels, the figures are a direct outcome of expanded testing and stronger detection mechanisms,” NADA said.
Encouragingly, NADA reported an improvement in 2025 so far. As of this year, 7,068 tests have been conducted, with 110 adverse findings — bringing the positivity rate down to 1.5%.
NADA attributed this gradual improvement to a strengthened anti-doping framework that combines increased testing with education and awareness. In 2024, around 280 anti-doping workshops were held during competitions and training camps, reaching nearly 37,000 participants. By December 16, 2025, a total of 329 awareness programmes — including webinars, seminars, TV sessions, and digital campaigns—had been conducted.
The agency has also promoted preventive tools such as the ‘Know Your Medicine’ app, which allows athletes and support staff to check whether medicines contain prohibited substances. Since its launch, the app has logged around 2.4 lakh searches, indicating growing adoption.
To address concerns over contaminated supplements, NADA said it is working closely with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) to strengthen testing and regulation.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling doping, particularly in athletics and power sports such as weightlifting — areas that have traditionally been vulnerable to violations.