India needs to do better. A candidate to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it has launched several projects to to get closer to the best international standards : in terms of the performance of its athletes, in terms of infrastructure, but also in terms of the fight against doping.
Significant progress has been made, with the number of tests doubling between 2019 and 2025. At the same time, abnormal results have decreased, from 5,6% in 2019 to less than 2% currently. A good starting point, but Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya intends to go further. He mentioned this " threat of doping » on the sidelines of the visit of the WADA president, Witold Banka, in New Delhi and sent a strong message: Regulation alone is not enough. »
Pleased to meet with Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Minister of Labor and Employment of India. We discussed advancing anti-doping efforts and strengthening the integrity of sport in India, including the importance of sustained progress and… pic.twitter.com/mk0sb0QNT7
— Witold Bańka (@WitoldBanka) April 15, 2026
That is why the government will introduce an amendment intended to criminalize involvement in the trafficking of prohibited substances, including performance-enhancing drugs.A way to crack down and deter both athletes and their entourage. This amendment will be examined in the coming months. On X, Witold Banka stated that he had had in-depth discussions on the need to strengthen anti-doping systems, address persistent challenges and ensure credible protection of the integrity of sport in India » with local authorities.
