22/04/2026
Indian athletics has reached a critical inflection point.
The decision by the Athletics Integrity Unit to place India in Category โAโ โ the highest doping risk classification โ reflects a sustained and concerning rise in anti-doping violations: 48 cases in 2022, 63 in 2023, and 71 in 2024, with the country already leading global figures in 2025.
As highlighted by AIU Chair David Howman, the current anti-doping framework is not proportionate to the scale of the challenge. This underscores the need for a more robust, transparent, and adequately resourced system.
Addressing this issue is essential not only for regulatory compliance, but for preserving athlete welfare, institutional credibility, and the long-term integrity of Indian athletics.
Decisive action at both policy and implementation levels will be critical in restoring confidence and aligning with global standards.