The Union Sports Ministry on Monday convened the fourth meeting of the National Compliance Platform (NCP), with discussions focusing on emerging doping threats and measures to strengthen India’s anti-doping framework.
The meeting was chaired by Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, who reviewed the current status of anti-doping initiatives across ministries and agencies. He emphasised the need for closer coordination between departments and enforcement bodies to curb the circulation of prohibited substances and reinforce the country’s commitment to clean sport.
Rao stressed the importance of synchronised enforcement, stricter monitoring of supply chains, and increased awareness among athletes and support staff to reduce instances of inadvertent doping and protect sporting integrity.
Deliberations focused on strengthening regulatory mechanisms, expanding testing and surveillance networks, and improving real-time intelligence sharing among authorities. Participants expressed concern over contaminated or mislabelled nutritional supplements, misuse of prescription medicines, and the growing online availability and promotion of banned or unapproved substances.
Stakeholders recommended scaling up sample testing, upgrading laboratory infrastructure, and ensuring supplements are verified through accredited facilities in coordination with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. They also highlighted the need for structured anti-doping education programmes for athletes and coaches, the creation of an effective grievance redressal system, and strict enforcement of provisions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, including Schedule H, which mandates prescription-based sale of certain medicines.
The meeting concluded with a call for a comprehensive national strategy to tackle doping at its source, ensure compliance with international anti-doping standards, and safeguard athlete welfare, fair competition, and India’s global sporting reputation.
Representatives from several key organisations attended the meeting, including the National Anti-Doping Agency, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Narcotics Control Bureau, Sports Authority of India, and the Paralympic Committee of India, along with officials from multiple central ministries.