India Remains No. 1 in AIU's Global Doping List, Spotlight Back on Athletics

India's athletics ecosystem continues to grapple with a deep rooted doping problem , with the country once again emerging at the top of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) global list of dope offenders. The latest figures released for June 2026 show India accounting for 162 names , the highest among all countries, underlining a challenge that has persisted despite increased scrutiny and anti doping measures.

The updated list places Kenya second with 148 names , while Russia follows with more than 60 cases . The AIU list is not restricted to athletes serving bans for doping alone. It also includes individuals penalised for tampering with the testing process, evading tests, trafficking prohibited substances, or failing to comply with whereabouts requirements, as these violations carry penalties equivalent to doping offences.

India first overtook Kenya in April 2026 , and the rankings have remained unchanged since then. The development comes just months after World Athletics classified India as a country facing an "extremely high" doping risk , following its repeated appearance at the top of global anti doping violation charts over the past two years.

Adding to the concern, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has recently been upgraded from Category B to Category A under Rule 15 of the World Athletics Anti Doping Rules , following a decision by the AIU Board. The reclassification places India among nations considered to pose the highest doping risk in international athletics.

Explaining the move earlier, AIU Chair David Howman had said that the standard of India's domestic anti doping programme was not proportionate to the country's doping risk , indicating the need for stronger enforcement and more effective testing mechanisms.

The statistics released by the AIU reflect the scale of the issue. India recorded 48 Anti Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) in 2022 , ranking second globally. The number increased to 63 in 2023 , again placing India second. In 2024 , violations climbed further to 71 , pushing the country to the top of the global rankings. During 2025 , India had already registered 30 ADRVs , continuing to lead the list.

The AIU, an independent anti-doping body established by World Athletics , oversees international level athletes and their support personnel. It periodically evaluates national athletics federations based on their doping risk by considering factors such as an athlete's doping history, the conduct of support personnel, and the effectiveness of national anti doping systems.

Being placed in Category A carries significantly stricter obligations. National federations are required to maintain a comprehensive annual testing programme that complies with international standards. Athletes representing the country at major competitions, including the Olympic Games , World Athletics Series events , and other elite championships, must undergo extensive testing even if they are not already part of the International Registered Testing Pool.

The AIU reviews these classifications every three years but retains the authority to revise a federation's status at any point if circumstances warrant. With India continuing to lead the global list of offenders, the latest report serves as another reminder that strengthening anti doping enforcement, improving athlete education, and ensuring rigorous testing remain critical if the country hopes to restore confidence in its athletics programme.