India tops the rankings of global sports drug cheats<\/a> for a third straight year, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said, marking a dubious hat-trick for the country.<\/p>\n India\u2019s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) collected 7,113 urine and blood samples, out of which 260 tested positive in 2024, the international watchdog said in its annual report published late on Tuesday (December 16, 2025).<\/p>\n The findings are a major blow to India, which is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games<\/a> \u2014 an event seen as a stepping stone for the country\u2019s ambition of hosting the 2036 Olympics.<\/p>\n Athletics (76) had the highest number of doping cases last year, followed by weightlifting (43) and wrestling (29).<\/p>\n In July, under-23 wrestling champion and Paris Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda tested positive and was provisionally suspended.<\/p>\n At India\u2019s University Games earlier this month, there were reports of just one athlete showing up for some track and field events after others fled because of the presence of anti-doping officials.<\/p>\n India was also ranked number one doping offender in 2022 and 2023.<\/p>\n French athletes accounted for the next highest number on the list in 2024 with 91 positive cases, while Italy were third with 85.<\/p>\n Russia and the United States come next at 76 cases each followed by Germany (54) and China (43).<\/p>\n NADA defended their fight against doping after the report.<\/p>\n \u201cIn recent years, India has witnessed a significant strengthening of its anti-doping framework,\u201d it said in a statement Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u201cTo tackle the menace of doping in sports, NADA India has not only increased the number of tests but also increased the emphasis on education and awareness.\u201d<\/p>\n NADA added that up to December 16, the number of tests conducted this year had been 7,068 with 110 positive cases.<\/p>\n The WADA report comes months after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) raised concerns about the rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs in India and urged the country to set its house in order.<\/p>\n The Indian Olympic Association in August formed a new anti-doping panel after the IOC flagged India\u2019s poor record.<\/p>\n The government also passed a new national anti-doping bill<\/a> to enhance enforcement, expand testing facilities and \u201censure the highest standards of integrity\u201d in sports.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/r6rvid\/article69717692.ece\/alternates\/SQUARE_80\/IMG_AFP__20220319__9X72Z_2_1_L9E0UR1D.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNo. 1 in 2022 and 2023<\/h4>\n
NADA defends fight<\/h4>\n
IOC raises concerns<\/h4>\n