The AIU (works fully independent of World Athletics) is Monaco-based international governing body for track and field athletics, race walking, road, cross country, mountain, trail and ultra-running.

• The downgrading of status has raised serious concerns over the “extremely high” risk of doping among athletes in the country.
• Placing AFI in Category A means athletes must now comply with more stringent anti-doping requirements. 
  • AFI is the apex body for running and managing athletics in India.
  • It organises the National Championships, trains the Indian Athletics National Campers, selects the Indian Athletics Teams for various international competitions. 

About doping

• About: Doping is the act of consuming artificial and often illegal substances to gain an advantage over others in sporting competitions 
  • E.g., Anabolic steroids, human growth hormones, stimulants, and diuretics.
• Status in India: India recorded 48 Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ranked 2nd) in 2022, 63 (ranked 2nd) in 2023, and 71 (ranked 1st) in 2024.
  • At 3.6%, India’s positivity ratio, too, was among the highest in the world.
• Key Driving Factors: Performance pressure, financial incentives, Weak testing and monitoring, etc. 

Concerns related to doping

• "Medal-at-all-Costs" Mentality: Doping undermines the spirit of fairness, integrity, and the "level playing field" that sport is supposed to represent.
• Health vs. Performance: The use of Performance-enhancing Drugs (PEDs) may have long- and short-term impacts on the athlete’s physical and mental health.
• Inequality and Access: Doping may widen inequalities as access to sophisticated drugs and masking techniques is uneven.
• Others: Damage to Reputation, financial loss, etc.