The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on May 19, 2026, issued draft amendments in the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022.
The following has been stated:-
• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has proposed amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, by inserting a new Chapter VIA on “Offences and Penalties” to strengthen anti-doping enforcement in sports.
•The draft proposes punishment for trafficking, sale, prescription, administration, and illegal handling of prohibited substances or methods linked to doping, with imprisonment up to 5 years and fines up to ₹2 lakh.
•More stringent penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and ₹5 lakh fine are proposed for offences involving minors or organized crime syndicates.
•The proposal also covers advertisements and paid promotions of prohibited substances, offences by companies, search and seizure powers, and reporting obligations.
•Exemptions have been proposed for athletes holding valid Therapeutic Use Exemptions and for registered medical practitioners providing emergency treatment in good faith.
•Comments and suggestions from stakeholders and the public have been invited till June 18, 2026, before finalization of the amendment proposal.
The detailed notification is given in the document below.
[Notification No.: K-12020/6/2026-SP-V]
