International Convention Against Doping in Sport | 25 Oct 2025

Source: PIB 

 At the 10th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP10) to the International Convention against Doping in Sport, held at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, India was re-elected as Vice-Chairperson of the Bureau for the Asia-Pacific for the 2025–2027 term. 

International Convention Against Doping in Sport 

  • About: It is a UNESCO multilateral treaty adopted on 19th October 2005 to prevent and eliminate doping in sport, entering into force on 1st February 2007.  
    • It has been ratified by 192 States Parties (including India), making it UNESCO’s 2nd most ratified treaty (Most ratified: World Heritage Convention, 196 States Parties). 
  • Objective: It is the only legally binding international instrument designed to harmonize and strengthen national and global measures to prevent and eliminate doping in sport, ensuring a level and safe playing field. 
  • Governance: COP is the sovereign body, meeting biennially. It is responsible for the Convention's implementation, evolution, and monitoring compliance by States Parties. 
  • Financial Mechanism: The Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport provides financial support, having invested over USD 5 million in more than 200 projects across 120+ countries since 2008 for education, awareness, and capacity building 
  • Educational Role: The Convention promotes the Values Education through Sport (VETS) programme, which uses sport as a tool for active learning and to teach cross-curricular values, reinforcing the ethical foundation of the anti-doping effort. 

 

National Anti-Doping Agency 

  • NADA, established in 2005 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, is tasked with promoting dope-free sports in India.  
    • NADA plans, implements, and coordinates the country’s anti-doping activities in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code and regulations. 
  • The National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 provides legal authority to NADA for regulating anti-doping activities in sports and implementing the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport. 
    • The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act, 2025 has further strengthened this framework by enhancing enforcement mechanisms, ensuring greater accountability, and aligning India’s anti-doping regime with evolving global standards. 

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