Lawsikho Blog

What does it really mean to stay “clean” in Indian sports today? This article takes a closer look at how India’s anti-doping system has evolved, both in terms of law and practice. From the transformation of NADA into a statutory body under the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, to high-profile cases like Narsingh Yadav and Prithvi Shaw, we explore how rules are applied, how athletes defend themselves, and where the system still struggles. It is a deep dive into the legal and practical realities of keeping Indian sports fair, and what that fairness really looks like in action.

Introduction

Let me take you back to the summer of 2016. The Rio Olympics were around the corner, and everyone was looking forward to it as usual. 

The Indian wrestling community was also brimming with excitement. Among our top contenders was Narsingh Pancham Yadav. He was a wrestler from Maharashtra. 

He qualified for the Olympics. And to top that, he had also replaced the formidable Sushil Kumar in the 74 kg freestyle category. His journey had been nothing short of inspirational, a story of resilience, struggle, and sheer talent.

But just days before the Olympics, everything came crashing down.

Narsingh tested positive for a banned substance. It was a substance called methandienone, which is an anabolic steroid. As expected, the news quickly sent shockwaves through the sporting fraternity. 

He cried sabotage. He alleged that someone had spiked his food at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre. Investigations, legal petitions, and tribunal hearings all followed at breakneck pace. 

He was actually cleared by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Initially, they had ended up accepting his claim of sabotage. At that moment, things were not looking too bad for Yadav. But this only lasted so long. 

But WADA appealed NADA’s decision. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland overturned NADA’s decision and banned him for four years. His Olympic dream was over before it began.

Why am I starting this guide with this case? 

It illustrates the stark reality of how a single anti-doping violation can completely overturn your career.

It does not matter whether intentional or accidental, it can destroy your career, tarnish your reputation, and leave you in a legal quagmire. Whether you are an athlete, a coach, or part of a sporting organisation, you must understand that in the world of anti-doping, ignorance is not a defence. The rules are strict, the process is complex, and the consequences are severe.

There are athletes that say, “I did not know,” or “I trusted my trainer,” or “It must have been in the supplement.” 

These statements may be true, but they are not sufficient. 

Under anti-doping law, they do not excuse a violation. As an athlete, you are held strictly liable for everything you ingest and everything you do that might affect the integrity of the sport. That is where this article comes in.

I want to walk you through the legal framework, the common pitfalls, and the practical steps you can take to stay compliant with anti-doping regulations in India. Whether you are just starting out or you are already competing at national or international levels, this is your roadmap to staying clean and staying safe.

Let us begin by understanding the legal system that governs anti-doping in India.

Legal framework governing Anti-Doping in India

So, before we can talk about compliance, we need to understand the legal foundation that governs anti-doping efforts in India. You might think it is just about avoiding certain substances or passing the occasional drug test. But the structure is far more comprehensive than that. It is a system built on international cooperation, national enforcement, and strict liability.

1. The World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) 

Think of this as The Global Backbone. 

So, at the very centre of it all lies the World Anti-Doping Code. This is a document that you must become familiar with if you are an athlete or work with athletes. The Code is created and updated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), headquartered in Montreal, Canada. WADA is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and monitoring the fight against doping in sport across the world.

India is a signatory to the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport. 

And what does that mean?

It means that India is bound to comply with the WADA Code. This equates to every national sporting authority, including yours, adhering to the set rules. 

You must ensure that its rules, testing procedures, and disciplinary actions are aligned with WADA’s standards.

The Code is not just about banned substances. It defines 11 types of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), some of which you might not even realise can get you into trouble. These include refusing a test, tampering with a sample, or even just associating with a coach who has been banned for doping offences.

2. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)

You can think of this one as India’s watchdog. 

In India, the authority responsible for implementing the WADA Code is the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). This was established in 2005 under the Societies Registration Act. NADA is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Its headquarters are in New Delhi, and it acts as both regulator and enforcer in matters related to anti-doping.

NADA has its own set of Anti-Doping Rules, which are modelled on the WADA Code. It is also regularly updated to reflect global standards. The most recent version came into force in January 2021, aligning India’s regulations with the 2021 WADA Code. This is the National Anti-Doping, 2021. 

Under these rules, NADA is empowered to:

• Conduct testing both in-competition and out-of-competition,
• Maintain the list of prohibited substances and methods,
• Grant or deny Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs),
• Investigate doping violations,
• Hold disciplinary hearings and issue sanctions,
• Conduct education and awareness programmes.

If you are a national-level athlete or even a state-level athlete participating in recognised competitions, you fall within NADA’s jurisdiction. So do your coaches, trainers, physiotherapists, and even your support staff.

Surprisingly, for many years, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) resisted complying with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). 

It was argued that it was an autonomous body not subject to government regulations. BCCI also expressed autonomy and concerns over WADA’s whereabouts requirements (e.g., privacy issues for cricketers). However, BCCI was under the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-doping framework, which is WADA-compliant.

Hence, there was a persistent pressure from the Indian government. So, after this pressure from the Government as well as public opinion, the BCCI finally came under NADA’s jurisdiction in 2019. 

Before this, BCCI was under the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-doping framework, which is WADA-compliant. 

This move marked a significant step forward in ensuring that Indian cricketers are held to the same anti-doping standards as athletes in other sports. By aligning with NADA, BCCI has taken a critical step toward fostering transparency, fairness, and integrity in Indian cricket, ensuring that players are subject to the same rigorous testing, sanctions, and regulations as athletes globally.

3. The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL)

You can think of NDTL as the forensic arm.

This is the only WADA-accredited laboratory in India, located in New Delhi. 

NDTL analyses many domestic samples, but samples from international events or specific cases may be sent to other WADA-accredited labs, depending on the testing authority and requirements. The NDTL plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy, fairness, and scientific integrity of the testing process.

In 2019 and 2021, NDTL faced a temporary suspension from WADA due to non-compliance with international laboratory standards. However, after rigorous improvements, its accreditation was restored, reinforcing India’s commitment to a clean sports ecosystem.

4. The legal status of Anti-Doping rules in India

So are these rules legally enforceable? Like criminal and civil laws? 

Well, the answer is nuanced.

Yes, NADA’s Anti-Doping Rules are not statutes passed by Parliament. And at one point, they were contractual and binding on anyone who was part of a recognised sporting body in India. 

Prior to the enactment of the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, NADA functioned as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 

Its Anti-Doping Rules, harmonised with the World Anti-Doping Code, were contractually binding on athletes and support personnel, typically through participation in NADA-regulated events or affiliation with recognised national sports federations. Although these rules lacked statutory backing at the time, they were enforced through disciplinary sanctions such as bans and fines and were accorded legal recognition by Indian courts, which upheld NADA’s authority in doping disputes.

But this was only till 2022. The National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 (enacted 12 Aug 2022) gives NADA a statutory basis. The Act provides a “statutory framework” for NADA and makes its anti-doping rules enforceable by law. Thus, unlike before 2022, NADA’s rules and sanctions now derive legal force from Parliament.

Let us say you sign up for a tournament and accept funding from a sports authority. Then you come under these rules. Also, if you register as an athlete, then you are legally agreeing to abide by these rules

If you violate them, NADA’s Disciplinary Panel has the authority to impose sanctions ranging from warnings and fines to multi-year bans.

Moreover, the Code of Sports Ethics and sports law jurisprudence in India increasingly recognise doping violations as serious offences that merit strict disciplinary action, especially when they undermine fair play and public trust in sport.

What counts as a violation?

So, what is anti-coping compliance? Unfortunately, it is not as simple as avoiding steroids or not taking a banned injection before a match. 

In reality, the scope of anti-doping violations is far broader and far stricter than most athletes and support personnel realise. If you are not vigilant, even a seemingly harmless mistake can lead to a serious sanction.

Let me walk you through the eleven Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) defined under the WADA Code, which have been directly incorporated into India’s NADA Anti-Doping Rules.

1. Presence of a prohibited substance in an athlete’s sample

This is the most obvious and well-known violation. If your urine or blood sample tests positive for a banned substance, that is an automatic violation, even if you did not intend to cheat. The principle of strict liability applies here: if the substance is in your body, you are responsible for it. WADA Code Article 2.1 enforces strict liability for the presence of prohibited substances, meaning intent is irrelevant for establishing a violation.

So, it does not matter if it came from an over-the-counter cold medicine. If it is on the Prohibited List, and it is found in your system, you have violated the rules.

However, Athletes can present evidence of no fault or negligence or no significant fault (Article 5. or negligence to reduce or eliminate sanctions, particularly in cases of contamination or unintentional ingestion. 

In 2024, Jannik Sinner, ranked no. 1 as of May 2025, tested positive for a substance, clostebol, a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS). This is banned in the U.S., and Sinner claimed that this entered his system unknowingly. 

How? One of his physiotherapists massaged his leg, and he was using an over-the-counter ointment, Trofodermin, containing clostebol, on his own skin to treat a small wound. 

Since Jannik Sinner is prone to getting cuts on his leg, this is plausible. 

The matter had to be looked at by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the sport’s worldwide anti-doping agency, and they cleared Sinner. This was appealed by WADA.  

A resolution agreement was reached between Sinner and WADA, resulting in a three-month ban. WADA acknowledged that Sinner had no intent to cheat and that the exposure was due to the negligence of his support staff

So, what do we learn from this? Yes, Sinner is prone to getting cuts on his leg, so the substance getting in is plausible. And it was said that the amount is so small that it would not give any performance-enhancing result. 

But this is where you need to be vigilant. A player’s sport and life are at risk if utmost care is not taken. 

There is also the case of Prithvi Shaw. In 2019, Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw was banned for eight months after testing positive for terbutaline. This is a substance commonly found in cough syrups but prohibited by WADA. 

Shaw claimed that he had unknowingly consumed the substance while treating a respiratory illness. He also said that he had relied on a medical professional who did not properly check the ingredients. 

BCCI accepted his explanation, and the ban was imposed retroactively. Shaw’s case is another example of unintentional doping. BCCI played a role here and not NADA because during that period (Feb–Jul 2019), BCCI handled cricket doping internally. It later became a part of NADA. 

BCCI’s anti-doping framework was aligned with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rules, which are WADA-compliant.

Both of these cases highlight the importance of athlete education and ensuring all medical staff are well-versed in anti-doping regulations. Shaw was eventually cleared of intentional wrongdoing. 

2. Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method

The only violation is not only being caught with the substance in your sample. Using or attempting to use a banned drug or method can also lead to a violation. 

These are practices like blood doping or gene editing, can lead to a violation. The attempt alone is punishable, regardless of whether it succeeded.

3. Evading, refusing, or failing to submit to sample collection

If a doping control officer approaches you for testing and you refuse, delay, hide, or run away, that is a violation. 

Athletes can claim they were unaware or were late to training. Unfortunately, the rules allow very little room for such explanations. Your duty is to cooperate fully with the testing process.

4. Whereabouts failures

If you are part of a Registered Testing Pool (RTP), you are required to update your whereabouts. 

This includes your daily location, training schedule, and availability for out-of-competition testing using the ADAMS (Anti-Doping Administration & Management System). Three missed tests or failures to file whereabouts information within a 12-month period constitute a violation.

This might sound bureaucratic, but for elite athletes, it is a critical responsibility. You must treat your whereabouts filing like an extension of your competition obligations.

5. Tampering or attempted tampering

This includes any interference with the doping control process. It could be as blatant as substituting your urine sample, or as subtle as trying to bribe a doping official. Even encouraging someone else to do so can lead to sanctions.

6. Possession of a prohibited substance or method

If you are found in possession of a banned substance without a valid TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption), that itself is a violation, regardless of whether you used it. You must be especially cautious if you travel with supplements, injections, or prescribed medicines. Always carry prescriptions and documentation.

7. Trafficking or attempted trafficking

This is one of the more serious violations. If you are involved in dealing, selling, distributing, or attempting to distribute banned substances or doping methods, you can face not just sporting sanctions but potentially criminal investigation. This applies to coaches, doctors, and team personnel, too.

8. Administration or attempted administration

If you administer or attempt to administer a prohibited substance or method to any athlete, it is a violation. This again puts a strong burden on medical and support staff, who must exercise extreme caution and diligence.

9. Complicity

If you assist, encourage, cover up, or are otherwise complicit in any anti-doping violation, you can be punished even if you are not the athlete. Let me be clear: silence can be complicity. If you know a violation is taking place and do nothing, you could be implicated.

10. Prohibited association

This is one of the more misunderstood rules. If you continue to associate with a coach, trainer, doctor, or advisor who has been banned due to an anti-doping rule violation, after being warned in writing, you are guilty of a violation yourself. You may like and trust your long-time coach, but the rules do not bend for personal loyalties.

11. Acts to discourage reporting or retaliate against whistleblowers

Any act that threatens or intimidates someone who reports a potential anti-doping rule violation is now itself a violation under the rules. 

The WADC and NADA Rules prohibit retaliation against whistleblowers.

As you can see, the anti-doping regime is not just about staying away from a list of banned substances. It is a complete framework of responsibility, ethics, and oversight. As an athlete or someone who works with athletes, you are part of this system, and the onus is on you to comply.

How can athletes stay compliant?

Now that you and I have walked through the list of anti-doping violations, you might be wondering what compliance looks like in practice. 

How can you, as an athlete, ensure that you stay within the bounds of the rules without second-guessing every training session, recovery drink, or medical visit?

The good news is that staying compliant is entirely achievable. Honestly, you just need to be ethical, and you are mostly good. Or are you? Even if you are fully ethical, you might miss a few steps. 

It requires discipline, awareness, and systems. I am going to break down the key steps and habits you must develop to avoid inadvertent violations.

Know what you are putting into your body

So, this may seem obvious, but it is the most common source of unintentional violations. 

You really need to be aware of everything that goes into your body. 

You need to treat every supplement, tablet, and injection with suspicion until you are sure it is safe.

Be careful even of small things like cream, powder, etc. 

Always check the WADA Prohibited List, which is updated every year on 1 January. NADA’s website and mobile app usually publish the latest list. Keep it bookmarked or saved.

Be cautious with nutritional supplements. Many of them are not subject to strict regulatory oversight and may contain banned substances not disclosed on the label. Choose products that are batch-tested by reputed agencies like Informed Sport or NSF Certified for Sport.

And you can always consult your team doctor.

If you do not have one, reach out to a NADA-accredited physician. If you are ever in doubt, err on the side of avoiding the substance.

A case can be as simple as an athlete tests positive for methylhexanamine after using a pre-workout drink recommended by a fellow gym-goer. 

The drink would likely be bought online, with no ingredient list in sight. What will be the result of this? The athlete was banned for years. 

These things are very much avoidable. 

Maintain accurate medical records and TUEs

So you may require medication that contains a prohibited substance for a legitimate health condition.

Let us take an example of corticosteroids for asthma. 

If such is the cas,e then you need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

TUEs must be approved in advance of using the substance, unless it is an emergency situation.

Your doctor must submit detailed medical evidence justifying the need, including test results, history, and treatment plans.

Once granted, keep a digital and physical copy of the TUE certificate and present it during any doping control procedure.

Never assume that a prescription automatically protects you. A TUE is a separate legal permission and must be obtained through the formal process outlined by NADA.

Be diligent with whereabouts filings

If you are in NADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP) or National Testing Pool (NTP), you are required to submit your whereabouts information on ADAMS. 

This includes things like your home address, daily training schedule and overnight stays

There will be a 60-minute time slot each day, where you will be available for testing

Failure to update this accurately or missing a test can result in sanctions. You may feel it is intrusive, but remember, the purpose is to ensure transparency and fairness.

My advice? Set a weekly reminder to update your whereabouts. Many athletes also keep a logbook with their daily plans, just in case they need to support their entries later.

Follow the doping control process carefully

If you are selected for testing, either during a competition or at a random moment, you must:

• Report immediately to the doping control station,
• Carry a valid ID,
• Stay within sight of the doping control officer at all times,
• Provide a sample as instructed, with no interference
• Record any supplements or medications taken on the doping control form
• Keep a copy of all paperwork.

You should never leave the station without confirming all details on your form. If there is anything unusual, such as being tested in an unofficial setting or being pressured to sign something you do not understand, you should report it immediately to NADA or your sports federation.

Educate yourself and your support team

It is not enough for you alone to be aware. Your coach, trainer, nutritionist, and physiotherapist must all understand the anti-doping rules too.

Attend NADA’s education and awareness programmes regularly.

Share official circulars and updates with your team.

Make sure everyone understands their roles and liabilities under the rules. Remember, association with banned individuals can also lead to sanctions.

If your support personnel are reckless or ill-informed, they might unintentionally cause you to breach the rules. This is what happened with the Jannik Sinner case. It was not the player’s fault but one of the team members. 

I always suggest keeping written communication with your team about medical and supplement decisions, emails, notes, receipts, and prescriptions. This paper trail could one day help you prove your innocence.

In short, anti-doping compliance is not about fear. It is about building routines, maintaining clarity, and fostering trust. When you take responsibility for what goes into your body, stay organised with your documentation, and work with informed professionals, the risk of a violation drops dramatically.

The role of support personnel and sporting bodies

As an athlete, you are the one who ultimately faces the consequences of an anti-doping violation. But you and I both know that behind every athlete is an ecosystem of coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists, doctors, mentors, and managers who influence decisions, recommend substances, and design training routines.

The anti-doping regime in India and globally recognises this. That is why it does not limit responsibility to the athlete alone. Support personnel and sporting bodies have a direct and enforceable duty to uphold anti-doping standards. If you are one of them, the rules apply to you just as much.

Let me explain what this means in practice.

Legal obligations of athlete support personnel

Under both the WADA Code and the NADA Anti-Doping Rules, support personnel are bound by the same rules as athletes. 

This includes factors like not possessing, administering, or trafficking banned substances. They need to be fully aware of what is banned and what is not banned. They also should not be associating with sanctioned individuals.

Make sure that your support personnel are not tampering with the testing or disciplinary process. There should also be no discouragement or retaliation against whistleblowers.

If you, as a coach or a team doctor, give an athlete a medication containing a prohibited substance, even unknowingly, you could be banned from working in sport for several years.

Let us see an example. It could be a case where a well-intentioned physiotherapist provided an athlete with pain-relief patches during a tournament. Now, if the patches contained fentanyl, a prohibited narcotic. The athlete could test positive, and both parties will be suspended. It can be a painful reminder that ignorance is not a defence.

Education and awareness responsibilities

Every support staff member should undergo regular anti-doping education through NADA or through training programmes endorsed by the national federation. If you are a team manager, it is your job to ensure that your entire staff:

• Is aware of the latest Prohibited List;
• Understands the TUE process;
• Follows supplement safety protocols;
• Knows how to handle doping control procedures;
• Maintains confidentiality and ethical conduct in line with the Code.

Sporting federations should conduct mandatory induction sessions at the beginning of every season. You cannot assume that a new physiotherapist or dietician automatically understands anti-doping norms. Policies must be reinforced regularly.

Institutional support: Role of sporting bodies

Sporting bodies, whether national federations, state associations, or clubs, are not mere observers. 

They must actively create a compliance ecosystem by appointing a designated anti-doping officer to coordinate with NADA and also maintaining records of all athletes’ whereabouts and medical histories.

They should also be assisting athletes in filing TUE applications and facilitating testing logistics during competitions and training camps.

Ensuring their events comply with sample collection and reporting protocols and investigating and reporting any signs of violations, whistleblower reports, or suspicious conduct is a must. 

In other words, anti-doping compliance must be baked into the operating procedures of the sport itself. It is not an optional layer to be added when an athlete gets caught.

Creating a culture of clean sport

Beyond compliance, support personnel and governing bodies must foster a culture of clean sport. This means celebrating fairness, transparency, and ethical conduct, not just podium finishes.

When you and I champion clean athletes, reward integrity, and reject shortcuts, we create a ripple effect. Young athletes learn that success does not have to be tainted. Parents begin to trust the system. And those at the margins are less likely to fall into the trap of performance-enhancing drugs.

There are athletes who choose not to take certain supplements or injections, even legal ones, because their coaches encouraged them to stay natural and build long-term strength. That trust, that mentorship, can be more powerful than any chemical compound.

In short, anti-doping compliance is not just the athlete’s burden. It is a shared responsibility, and for support staff and governing bodies, it is both a legal duty and a moral one.

Testing, hearings and consequences of violations

Let us now talk about what happens when things go wrong.

Despite your best intentions, you might find yourself or someone you are advising facing an anti-doping test. Sometimes it is routine; other times, it results in a dreaded letter: “Adverse Analytical Finding” or “Possible Anti-Doping Rule Violation”. What follows is a formal legal process. And if you do not understand the rules, it is very easy to make mistakes.

Allow me to walk you through the full cycle from testing to sanctions so you know what to expect and how to navigate it with confidence and caution.

When and how testing happens

Testing may occur in-competition (during or immediately after an event) or out-of-competition (at training, home, or any declared location). You can be tested by:

i. NADA officials, during domestic events or camps;

ii. WADA-authorised personnel, especially for athletes in international circuits.

If you are notified for testing, you must:

• Report to the Doping Control Station immediately (unless there is a valid delay reason, such as a medal ceremony);
• Present a valid ID,
• Remain in full view of the Doping Control Officer (DCO),
• Provide a urine sample (and blood sample, if required),
• Choose a sealed testing kit and split the sample into A and B bottles,
• Record all medications and supplements used in the Doping Control Form.

You will be given a copy of this form. Please keep it safely, it is a critical document if any issues arise later.

Laboratory analysis and notification

Once your sample is collected, it is sent to a WADA-accredited laboratory. These labs follow strict chain-of-custody and testing procedures.

If your A sample tests positive for a banned substance, NADA will notify you through a Notice of Charge, which includes:

• The nature of the substance found,
• The specific rule allegedly violated,
• The potential sanction,
• The right to request analysis of the B sample,
• The right to respond or accept the provisional suspension.

This is where many athletes panic. But let me assure you, this is not the end of the road. You have rights, and the process is not designed to be arbitrary.

Sample testing and provisional suspension

If you request B sample testing (which I strongly advise, unless the substance is uncontested), the process must be completed in your presence or in the presence of your representative. If the B sample also returns positive, the violation is confirmed.

At this stage, you might be provisionally suspended, depending on the substance and circumstances. You still have the opportunity to present your case before the hearing panel.

Do not ignore this stage. Many athletes lose valuable time by not responding properly or missing deadlines. Engage a legal adviser or contact your national federation immediately.

Hearing before the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP)

The matter is heard before the ADDP, an independent body constituted under NADA’s Rules. The hearing includes:

1. A review of test results, TUE certificates (if any), and witness statements;
2. Your written submissions and oral arguments;
3. Examination of intent, negligence, and mitigating circumstances.

You can choose to appear in person or via video conference. You may also bring a legal representative or adviser.

1. I recommend preparing a structured defence that explains:
2. How the substance may have entered your system (accidental ingestion, contaminated supplement, prescription error, etc.);
3. Any evidence of low intent or no performance enhancement;
4. Steps taken to ensure compliance.
5. Your cooperation with the authorities.
6. The panel will issue a written order after the hearing.

Sanctions and period of ineligibility

If found guilty, sanctions vary depending on the nature of the violation:

For the presence or use of non-specified substances (like steroids or EPO), the default sanction is four years.  Snctions for non-specified substances can be reduced (e.g., to zero or less than four years) if the athlete proves no fault, no significant fault, or contamination, per WADA Code Article 10.6.1.2 and 10.6.2.

For specified substances (like stimulants, glucocorticoids), the period may range from a reprimand to two years, depending on intent.

Failure to file whereabouts, tampering, or refusal to submit samples generally attracts a two-year to four-year ban.

Second or third offences can lead to enhanced penalties, sometimes lifetime bans.

Sanctions also include disqualification of results, stripping of medals or rankings, and financial penalties.

Remember, every day lost in delay, every unclear explanation, can worsen your defence. You must treat every notification, hearing notice, or procedural step with seriousness and urgency.

Appeal and review

You can appeal the ADDP’s decision before the Anti-Doping Appeal Panel (ADAP), and in some cases, further appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

However, appeals must be filed within a strict time frame, usually 21 days. The appeal process is document-heavy and may require expert legal support.

This entire process, from testing to final sanction, can last weeks or months. But it is designed to be fair, transparent, and evidence-based. If you are honest, well-advised, and well-prepared, you stand a good chance of receiving a proportionate outcome.

What is the ultimate consequence of this? Let us see the case of Lance Armstrong.

Lance Armstrong’s doping case

The Lance Armstrong doping case is one of the most famous in sports history because of the scale of his achievements and the public trust he had built. 

Armstrong’s story of recovery and success against cancer was intertwined with his success in cycling, and his fall from grace was both dramatic and widespread. The case was a significant turning point in the fight against doping, especially in cycling, but also across other sports.

Let us see the background. 

Lance Armstrong, widely regarded as one of the greatest cyclists of all time, won the Tour de France seven times consecutively from 1999 to 2005. He was an inspirational figure, particularly after surviving testicular cancer, which he had battled in the late 1990s. He became a symbol of resilience and sporting excellence.

Armstrong was accused of using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to win his Tour de France titles, including EPO (erythropoietin), testosterone, and blood doping. These substances were banned by WADA and were designed to increase endurance, allowing athletes to perform at a higher level than would be possible naturally.

In 2012, after a lengthy investigation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Armstrong was found guilty of using PEDs over the course of his career. The investigation involved testimonies from former teammates and detailed evidence of systematic doping within his team, Team US Postal.

Consequences?

Armstrong was stripped of all seven of his Tour de France titles. Also, he was banned for life from competitive cycling by the International Cycling Union (UCI).

His reputation was severely tarnished, and his sponsorship deals (such as with Nike) were terminated. Armstrong admitted to the doping charges in 2013 during a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey, a public confession that drew widespread attention.. 

Armstrong’s case became a symbol of the lengths to which athletes might go to dodge detection and the extent of doping abuse in elite sports. It sparked further investigations and reforms in cycling and other sports, leading to stricter anti-doping measures.

Reforms, rights and emerging trends

By now, you have seen how serious and complex anti-doping enforcement in India can be. But the landscape is changing, and for the better. Over the last few years, India has introduced key reforms, enhanced athlete protections, and aligned more closely with international standards. If you are an athlete or a support professional today, you are stepping into a regulatory environment that is not only stricter but also fairer and more transparent.

Let me walk you through the major reforms, your rights as an athlete, and the emerging legal and technological trends you should be aware of.

1. Enactment of the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022

Until recently, anti-doping regulation in India was entirely administrative, operating under NADA’s rules aligned with the World Anti-Doping Code. But in 2022, India passed a dedicated law: the National Anti-Doping Act.

This Act established NADA as a statutory body, giving it legal authority to:

• Investigate and prosecute anti-doping rule violations;
• Enforce sanctions;
• Conduct education and awareness programmes;
• Collaborate with law enforcement and international agencies;
• Protect the rights of athletes under Indian law.

For the first time, anti-doping enforcement is backed by an Act of Parliament. That gives you a more structured, legally accountable framework, and if you are wronged, you now have a better basis to challenge decisions using statutory remedies.

2. Athletes Anti-Doping Rights 

One of the most welcome reforms has been the introduction of the Athlete’s Anti-Doping Rights.  This is a global WADA initiative. This Charter outlines your core rights during the anti-doping process, including:

• The right to a fair and timely hearing;
• The right to be informed of your charges and see the evidence against you;
• The right to legal assistance and representation;
• The right to challenge testing procedures or laboratories;
• The right to the protection of your personal and medical data;
• The right to anti-doping education and TUE access.

You are no longer just a subject under investigation, you are a participant in a legal process with defined protections. If those rights are violated, you have grounds to appeal or seek review.

3. Digital testing management and AI integration

Another trend we are seeing is the gradual digitisation of testing records and athlete data. NADA has begun shifting towards electronic filing systems that track sample collection, location history, therapeutic use exemptions, and test outcomes.

In the near future, we can expect things like Digital Athlete Passports, enabling longitudinal monitoring of health and biomarkers. There can also be blockchain-based test tracking, reducing tampering risk. 

Artificial intelligence to detect unusual patterns in athlete performance or supplement use is also possible, and an automated notification and scheduling systems ensure athletes never miss a test due to technical issues.

As an athlete or advisor, you must learn to operate in this digital ecosystem. Keep your whereabouts filings accurate. Use only approved supplements. Store your medical documents securely. Because the system now remembers everything.

4. Legal precedents from Indian courts

Indian courts are also playing a greater role in shaping anti-doping jurisprudence. High Courts have started scrutinising procedural fairness, including whether athletes were properly informed, given legal access, or prejudiced by delays..

5. India’s rising role in global Anti-Doping governance

Lastly, India is no longer on the margins of international anti-doping governance. NADA is increasingly collaborating with WADA and foreign regulators. Indian scientists are participating in lab innovations. Legal experts from India are advising on arbitration and athlete advocacy.

If we want to host global sporting events and produce clean champions, we must lead in governance too. And as lawyers, coaches, and athletes, we have a role to play in building that credibility.

Reforms are not always smooth, but they are real. We are moving towards a system where doping enforcement is scientific, data-driven, legally accountable, and athlete-friendly.

Conclusion

If you have stayed with me through this journey, you now know that anti-doping compliance in India is not merely a matter of avoiding banned substances. It is a complex web of science, law, ethics, and personal discipline. And yet, it is entirely navigable if you pay attention.

Let me close by offering you some key takeaways and thoughts for the road ahead.

Compliance is a daily discipline, not a one-time task

Whether you are an athlete or support personnel, your responsibility is continuous. Every supplement, every medication, every update to your whereabouts record matters. You cannot afford to treat compliance as a one-time event before a tournament. It must become a part of your daily mindset.

Knowledge is your first line of defence

Many violations in India have occurred not because of cheating, but because of ignorance. Someone took a cough syrup without reading the label. Someone failed to update their location while travelling. Someone accepted an injection from a team doctor without checking.

You must take ownership. Keep yourself updated. Use WADA’s online resources. Attend NADA’s webinars. Read labels. Ask questions. In doping cases, what you did not know can still hurt you.

The law is evolving; stay ahead of it

The 2022 Act, the Athlete Rights Charter, and the growing digitisation of enforcement show that Indian anti-doping law is not static. It is moving forward. And as these reforms deepen, so will the expectations placed on athletes and support staff.

If you work with athletes in any capacity, you need to be legally literate, whether it is about sample collection protocols or data privacy rights.

Build a support network early

You cannot do this alone. Every athlete needs a team: a doctor who understands doping rules, a coach who prioritises ethics, a nutritionist who checks every supplement, and a legal adviser who knows how to respond if things go wrong.

Build that network before a crisis arises. Not after.

Trust the system but verify everything

I say this with some caution. The system is getting better, but it is not perfect. Delays occur. Mistakes are made. Language barriers persist. So while you must respect the system, you must also question it where necessary. Keep records. Follow up on test results. Appeal if you believe you have been wronged.