Answer

Introduction

As India aspires to become a global sporting powerhouse through the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic bid, it faces a “dubious hat-trick” of being the world’s top doping offender for three consecutive years. This paradox of high ambition and low integrity necessitates a critical evaluation of the ethical decay within the sports ecosystem.

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Ethical Issues in Doping Practices

• Violation of Fairness: Doping grants an artificial, unfair advantage, destroying the “level playing field” which is the moral foundation of competitive sports.
  Eg: India’s 3.6% positivity rate in 2024 the highest globally among major testers highlights a systemic bypass of merit-based competition.
• Harm to Health: Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) cause irreversible physiological damage, including cardiovascular issues and infertility, violating the ethical principle of “non-maleficence.”
• Breach of Trust: Doping is an act of deception that betrays the trust of fans, sponsors, and the nation, eroding the “spirit of sport.”
  Eg: High-profile suspensions, like that of U-23 wrestling champion Reetika Hooda, tarnish the nation’s sporting image on the global stage.
• Role Model Corruption: Elite athletes are societal icons; their involvement in doping sets a destructive precedent for grassroots talent and children.
  Eg: According to WADA 2024 reports, the high incidence in athletics (76 cases) and weightlifting (43) suggests a normalizing of “shortcuts” among youth.
• Coercion and Exploitation: Athletes are often pressured by “support personnel” (coaches/physios), leading to ethical concerns regarding informed consent and professional integrity.
  Eg: National Anti-Doping Act 2022 highlight that “support personnel” are now legally accountable for abetting doping.
• Economic Fraud: Athletes who dope often secure government jobs and cash awards under false pretenses, diverting public resources meant for honest merit.

Measures to Promote Integrity and Fairness

• Institutional Autonomy Expansion: Transforming NADA into a truly independent entity, free from administrative interference, to align with WADA standards.
  Eg: The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to provide NADA with operational independence from government departments.
• Technological Surveillance Tools: Scaling the “Know Your Medicine” app to help athletes verify if common medications contain prohibited substances.
  Eg: NADA’s “Anti-Doping Education and Awareness Toolkit” which uses AI to guide athletes on supplement safety.
• Mandatory Grassroots Education: Integrating anti-doping curriculum in schools and Khelo India centers to foster a “clean sport” culture from the start.
• Strengthening Testing Infrastructure: Increasing the frequency of “out-of-competition” and blood-based testing to detect sophisticated doping cycles.
• Strict “Zero-Tolerance” Penalties: Implementing lifetime bans for repeat offenders and support staff involved in systemic doping to serve as a deterrent.
  Eg: Recent measures include “Whereabouts Failure” penalties and direct appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) under the 2025 Bill.
• Whistleblower Protection Programs: Establishing secure channels for athletes to report “doping cartels” without fear of retribution from powerful federations.
• Nutritional Security Framework: Regulating the manufacturing of nutritional supplements in India to prevent inadvertent doping through contamination.

Conclusion

To overcome the doping menace, India must shift from a “test-and-punish” model to a “prevent-and-protect” philosophy. By ensuring NADA’s absolute autonomy and investing in sports science, India can transition from being the “worst offender” to a “model of integrity,” thereby making a credible and unshakeable case for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.

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