The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has approved the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) as an Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) to oversee the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program.

About Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)

• The ABP is an advanced anti-doping tool used to monitor an athlete’s biological markers over time.
• Process Used: It analyzes blood and steroid profiles to detect irregularities to ensure fair play by identifying possible doping violations.
• Modules Currently Implemented:
  • Haematological Module: Tracks markers of blood doping, such as abnormal red blood cell counts.
  • Steroidal Module: Monitors markers of steroid doping using urine or serum samples.
  • Endocrine Module: Observes markers of human growth hormone (hGH) doping.

About World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

• Establishment: Founded in 1999 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to combat doping in sports globally.
• Headquarters: Located in Montreal, Canada.
• India’s Achievement in Anti-Doping Management: India becomes one of 17 Anti-Doping Management Units (APMUs) worldwide approved by WADA.
  • India’s APMU will serve domestic athletes and provide support to neighboring anti-doping organizations.

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About About National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)

• Establishment: NADA was set up in 2005 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.
• Mandate: NADA’s primary mandate is to ensure dope-free sports in India.
• Function: NADA is responsible for planning, implementing, and coordinating anti-doping activities across India.
  • It adheres to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code and its associated regulations.
• Nodal Ministry: NADA operates under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
• National Anti-Doping Act 2022: This Act provides legal backing to NADA for regulating anti-doping activities in Indian sports.
  • It aligns India’s efforts with the UNESCO International Convention against doping in sports