NEW DELHI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- India's federal government said on Monday that 78 doping cases had been recorded in the country as of July 15 this year.
The figure was provided by federal Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the lower house of the Indian parliament, known as the Lok Sabha.
Mandaviya said 78 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) had been recorded as of July 15.
The states of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab accounted for 13 cases each, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 11 and Karnataka with nine.
"These athletes have been banned from sports activities in accordance with the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021. The sanctions, as determined by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP), include disqualification of results, forfeiture of medals/prizes, a period of ineligibility from participation in sports, and other consequences as prescribed under the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Code 2021," Mandaviya said.
Providing a yearly breakdown, the minister said India recorded 213 doping violations in 2023, followed by 260 in 2024 and 131 in 2025.
Mandaviya said the government had adopted a comprehensive strategy through the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), India's national organization responsible for promoting, coordinating and monitoring doping control in sport, to promote clean competition and discourage the use of prohibited substances and methods.
"NADA undertakes anti-doping education and awareness programmes, intelligence-led testing, investigations and results management in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and Anti-Doping Rules.
"Government is implementing a comprehensive and sustained anti-doping awareness programme through NADA in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standard for Education. NADA conducts year-round education and awareness activities through seminars, workshops, webinars, e-learning, digital campaigns, outreach programmes and the Play True Campaign targeting athletes, coaches, athlete support personnel and other stakeholders," the minister stated.
He added that other initiatives included outreach programs, cooperation with national sports federations, the Sports Authority of India, local governments and educational institutions, as well as the dissemination of information through print, digital and social media platforms.
Mandaviya said 220 such programs had been held across the country as of July 13 this year. ■
