Red flag for Indian athletics: India placed in highest-risk doping bracket
India has been placed in the highest-risk doping bracket by World Athletics due to a high number of anti-doping rule violations. The country will now face stringent testing protocols and oversight.
India has been moved to the highest-risk 'Category A' bracket for doping by World Athletics' Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) due to consistently high anti-doping rule violations. The decision, effective April 20, 2026, follows a disturbing trend in violations recorded over the last four years. India ranked among the top globally in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The AIU will now work with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to achieve reforms and impose stringent testing protocols. The AFI must meet minimum testing requirements for national team athletes to remain eligible for major championships. The re-categorisation comes as India prepares to host the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games and bids for the 2036 Olympic Games.
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