Women's 1500m National Record Holder K M Deeksha Fails Dope Test

Indian athletics has been rocked by another doping controversy after K M Deeksha , the women's 1500m national record holder , reportedly failed a dope test, casting a shadow over one of the country's leading middle-distance runners and raising fresh concerns about the sport's ongoing battle against prohibited substances.

According to sources, the 27-year-old athlete tested positive for a banned substance following a competition earlier this year. While the exact substance involved and other details of the test have not yet been disclosed, the development could have serious consequences for Deeksha's career if the findings are confirmed through the anti-doping process.

Deeksha, who holds the national record in the women's 1500m event, has competed only once this season. She clocked 4:25.74 while winning the race at the Indian Open Athletics Series in Jaipur on April 5. However, the performance was well below the qualification mark required for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Her absence from the recent Federation Cup in Ranchi had already put her Commonwealth Games prospects in doubt. Participation in the Federation Cup was mandatory for athletes seeking selection for the Games unless granted a special exemption by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) . Although the AFI has offered athletes another opportunity to achieve qualification standards at the upcoming Indian Athletics Series in Ludhiana, only those who competed in the Federation Cup remain eligible for consideration.

Deeksha's most notable achievement came in May 2024 when she set a new national record of 4:04.78 in the United States, establishing herself as one of India's brightest middle-distance talents.

The case comes at a time when India continues to struggle with a troubling doping record. According to the latest figures released by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) , India remains at the top of the global list of currently ineligible athletes, with 154 suspended track and field athletes as of May 2026. The number places India ahead of Kenya (147) and Russia (65) , highlighting the scale of the challenge facing Indian athletics.

As authorities proceed with the anti-doping process, the spotlight is once again on the need for stronger education, stricter monitoring, and greater accountability within India's athletics ecosystem.