In an attempt to address traffickers, illegal suppliers, organised syndicates and unscrupulous support personnel, the Sports Ministry has proposed amendments related to criminalisation of doping activities.
The proposed amendments seek to criminalise trafficking, unauthorised sale and distribution of prohibited substances, doping administration to athletes, supply to minors, organised crime related to doping, improper sale of substances, and advertisements promoting doping.
However, athletes not found involved in the aforementioned criminal offences will not be criminalised merely for anti-doping rule violations or positive tests. Anti-Doping Rule violations by athletes will continue to be dealt with under the existing framework.
The amendments have been made to target the organised ecosystem and safeguard clean athletes.
“The framework also provides safeguards for athletes with valid Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) and for bona fide medical practitioners acting in emergency medical situations requiring legitimate use of prohibited substance/ methods to athlete,” the release stated.
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Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the National Anti Doping Act will be amended with a jail term of upto five years.
“Whoever administers or applies to an athlete, for the purpose of or in connection with doping in sport...shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to (five) years, or with fine which may extend up to (two lakh) rupees, or both,” the amendment states.
Mandaviya said the amended bill will be tabled in the next session of Parliament.
“Doping is no longer just a sporting violation; it has evolved into an organised ecosystem exploiting athletes,” Mandaviya said in an interaction with the media here.
“We only punish those who are consuming, but suppliers need to be targetted as well,” he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
Published on May 21, 2026