The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has released draft amendments aimed at criminalising organised doping activities in India and has invited public feedback on the proposed framework. The proposed amendments have been placed in the public domain for stakeholder consultation.
The ministry stated that the new framework is intended to tackle the growing organised network involved in the trafficking, illegal supply, administration, and commercial distribution of prohibited performance-enhancing substances and methods in sports.
According to the draft proposals, several activities linked to doping could become criminal offences. These include trafficking and unauthorised sale or distribution of banned substances and methods, administering prohibited substances to athletes for doping purposes, supplying such substances to minors, and engaging in organised crime or commercial operations connected to doping.
The proposed amendments also seek to criminalise the sale of prohibited substances without proper labelling, as well as advertisements and paid promotions encouraging the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports clarified that the proposed provisions are specifically designed to target traffickers, illegal suppliers, organised syndicates, and unethical support personnel operating within doping networks.
Importantly, athletes themselves will not face criminal prosecution merely for anti-doping rule violations or positive doping tests, unless they are directly involved in criminal activities such as trafficking or organised doping syndicates. Cases involving anti-doping rule violations by athletes will continue to be handled under the existing anti-doping regulatory framework. The draft framework also includes safeguards for athletes holding valid Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), as well as protection for legitimate medical practitioners who administer prohibited substances during genuine emergency medical situations.
Officials said the proposed amendments are in line with India’s commitments under the UNESCO Convention against Doping in Sport and are consistent with the approach supported by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The Ministry said the framework aims to maintain a balance between protecting clean athletes, preserving the integrity of sports, safeguarding public health, and enabling stronger legal action against organised doping networks.
Stakeholders have been invited to submit comments and suggestions on the proposed amendments by June 18, 2026, as part of the public consultation process.
