India Steps Up Global Anti-Doping Fight: Mandaviya Calls for Intelligence-Led Action at WADA Global Conference

Dr Mandaviya emphasised that India’s approach to anti-doping has moved beyond mere compliance to a proactive, integrity-driven model.

In a strong assertion of India’s commitment to clean sport and ethical athletic excellence, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, today called for intensified global cooperation to combat doping, describing it as a sophisticated, multinational challenge requiring intelligence-led interventions.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Final Conference of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Global Anti-Doping Intelligence & Investigations Network (GAIIN), the Minister outlined India’s evolving anti-doping framework and its growing role in shaping global standards and enforcement strategies.

From Compliance to Leadership: India’s Anti-Doping Transformation

Dr Mandaviya emphasised that India’s approach to anti-doping has moved beyond mere compliance to a proactive, integrity-driven model. He highlighted the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 and the National Anti-Doping Amendment Act, 2025 as key legislative pillars aligning India with international norms and strengthening enforcement mechanisms.

Significantly, the government is now working toward introducing criminal provisions against individuals involved in administering or trafficking banned substances, marking a shift toward stricter accountability across the ecosystem.

The Minister underscored that doping is no longer an isolated act of athlete misconduct but an organised global enterprise, often involving supply chains, intermediaries, and illicit networks—necessitating coordinated international intelligence and investigative frameworks.

Intelligence Networks and Global Partnerships Take Centre Stage

Highlighting the importance of the GAIIN platform, Dr. Mandaviya stated that global intelligence-sharing networks are crucial to dismantling doping syndicates. The conference brings together anti-doping organisations, law enforcement agencies, and international bodies, reinforcing collaboration across borders.

WADA President Mr. Witold Bańka echoed this sentiment, noting that modern anti-doping efforts are increasingly driven by integrated intelligence models combining expertise from anti-doping professionals with law enforcement agencies such as Europol and INTERPOL.

Data Shows Impact: Testing Doubled, Violations Decline

India’s intensified anti-doping efforts are already yielding measurable results. Dr. Mandaviya revealed that:

• Annual anti-doping tests have doubled from around 4,000 in 2019 to approximately 8,000 in the past year

• Adverse analytical findings have dropped significantly from 5.6% in 2019 to less than 2% currently

These trends reflect the success of India’s combined strategy of testing, awareness, and preventive education.

Prevention Through Education and Technology

Reinforcing the principle that prevention is more effective than enforcement alone, the Minister stressed the importance of continuous athlete education. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India has implemented a multi-layered awareness strategy, including workshops, digital campaigns, and specialised modules for athletes with disabilities.

Technological innovations are also playing a key role. The “Know Your Medicine” mobile application allows athletes to verify whether prescribed medicines contain prohibited substances, reducing the risk of accidental violations.

To further safeguard athletes, advanced testing facilities are being established to detect contaminated supplements—an emerging global concern.

Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Enforcement

India is significantly enhancing its anti-doping infrastructure through:

• Expansion of WADA-compliant drug testing laboratories

• Strengthened coordination between NADA and enforcement agencies

• Strategic partnerships with regulators such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

These measures aim to address risks arising from unregulated substances and improve surveillance across the supply chain.

Ethical Foundations of Sporting Excellence

Dr. Mandaviya placed strong emphasis on the ethical dimension of sports, stating that values such as discipline, integrity, and fairness must remain central to athletic achievement. He warned that rising competitive pressures can push athletes toward unethical choices, making awareness and value-based education critical.

“Providing the right information at the right time empowers athletes to make informed decisions,” he noted, calling for lifelong education throughout an athlete’s career.

India’s Rising Global Sporting Ambition

Positioning India within the global sporting landscape, the Minister highlighted major initiatives such as Khelo India and the Fit India Movement, which are transforming grassroots participation and building a robust sports ecosystem.

He asserted that India is “emerging as a global sporting powerhouse with both direction and momentum,” supported by investments in infrastructure, talent identification, and scientific training.

A Collective Fight Against Doping

Concluding his address, Dr. Mandaviya stressed that the fight against doping cannot be won in isolation. He called for stronger partnerships among governments, regulatory bodies, and international organisations, reaffirming India’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of sporting integrity.

The WADA GAIIN conference, attended by global experts including INTERPOL and WADA officials, marks a significant step in building a unified, intelligence-driven global response to doping—ensuring that sport remains fair, transparent, and true to its values.