The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has placed proposed amendments to anti-doping laws in the public domain for stakeholder consultation, seeking to criminalise organised doping-related activities while protecting athletes from criminal prosecution for routine anti-doping rule violations.
The proposed framework is aimed at tackling the growing network involved in trafficking, illegal supply, administration and commercial distribution of prohibited performance-enhancing substances and methods in sports.
The Ministry said the proposed amendments seek to criminalise activities such as trafficking and unauthorised sale of banned substances, administration of prohibited substances to athletes for doping purposes, supply of such substances to minors, organised crime linked to doping, commercial distribution networks, misleading advertisements and paid promotions encouraging doping practices.
The proposed provisions are primarily targeted at traffickers, illegal suppliers, organised syndicates and support personnel allegedly involved in facilitating doping networks in sports.
The Ministry clarified that athletes themselves would not face criminal prosecution merely for anti-doping rule violations or positive dope tests, unless they are found directly involved in criminal offences such as trafficking or organised illegal activities.
Existing anti-doping violations by athletes will continue to be handled under the current anti-doping regulatory framework.
The proposed amendments also include safeguards for athletes holding valid Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) and for genuine medical practitioners administering prohibited substances during emergency medical situations where such treatment is necessary.
The Ministry said the proposed framework is aligned with India’s commitments under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Convention against doping in sport and is consistent with approaches supported by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The Ministry said the proposed measures are intended to strike a balance between athlete protection, integrity of sport, public health concerns and effective law enforcement against organised doping networks.
Stakeholders have been invited to submit comments and suggestions on the draft amendments by June 18, 2026, as part of the public consultation process.
