Centre To Amend National Anti-Doping Act, 2025; Bill Likely In Monsoon Session Of Parliament

Published 2 July 2026 · politics

Centre To Amend Anti-Doping Act, 2025; Bill Likely In Monsoon Session Of Parliament Reported By, Last Updated: July 02, 2026, 18:17 IST The government says

Centre To Amend Anti-Doping Act, 2025; Bill Likely In Monsoon Session Of Parliament Reported By, Last Updated: July 02, 2026, 18:17 IST The government says the proposed provisions are aimed at traffickers, illegal suppliers, and organised criminal syndicates operating doping networks and not at athletes The ministry has said the proposed changes are in line with India’s commitments under the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport and the approach endorsed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Representational pic/AFP The Centre is set to amend the Anti-Doping Act, 2025, with the proposed changes likely to be introduced during the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had placed the draft amendments in the public domain for stakeholder consultation.

The proposed framework seeks to criminalise organised doping-related activities and crack down on networks involved in the trafficking, illegal supply, administration, and commercial distribution of performance-enhancing prohibited substances and methods. The amendments propose to make offences such as trafficking, unauthorised sale and distribution of banned substances, administering prohibited substances to athletes for doping, supplying such substances to minors, organised criminal activities linked to doping, sale of prohibited substances without prescribed labelling, and or paid promotions promoting doping punishable under law. Sources said the punishment for these offences will be in accordance with the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), depending on the nature and gravity of the offence. The government has clarified that the proposed provisions are aimed at traffickers, illegal suppliers, and organised criminal syndicates operating doping networks and not at athletes.

Athletes will not be treated as criminals merely for testing positive or violating anti-doping rules. Unless they are found to be involved in offences such as trafficking or organised crime, their cases will continue to be dealt with under the existing anti-doping framework. The proposed amendments also provide safeguards for athletes with valid Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) and for medical practitioners administering prohibited substances in legitimate emergency medical situations. The ministry has said the proposed changes are in line with India’s commitments under the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport and the approach endorsed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Stakeholders have been invited to submit their comments on the draft amendments before the bill is finalised for introduction in Parliament.