Introduction

The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), located in New Delhi, is India’s premier laboratory dedicated to anti-doping science and testing. It is accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), NDTL plays a vital role in promoting fair play in sports by conducting high-quality testing of urine and blood samples to detect the presence of performance-enhancing substances. As the only WADA-accredited laboratory in India, NDTL upholds the highest international standards in doping control and research. With state-of-the-art infrastructure and scientific expertise, the laboratory also contributes to global anti-doping efforts through research and development of reference materials.

NDTL specializes in the testing of urine and blood samples from athletes, ensuring strict compliance with international anti-doping standards. As one of only 29 WADA-accredited laboratories worldwide—and one of six in Asia—NDTL stands alongside similar facilities in China, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, and Thailand.

The Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) in India, recognized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), is a crucial component of the country’s anti-doping development. It is part of a global network of 17 WADA-approved APMUs tasked with overseeing the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program, which tracks an athlete’s biological markers over time to detect potential signs of doping. This recognition has further elevated NDTL’s role in global anti-doping efforts, cementing its credibility and influence in the international sporting community.

Chronological Events:

The dope testing Lab in India was established in 1990 (as Dope control Centre under Sports Authority of India). The lab was modernized in 2002 with an aim to get it permanently accredited by International Olympic Commission and WADA.
The lab got ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in 2003 which was the eligibility criteria for applying for WADA accreditation.
Since Sports Authority of India is responsible for training of elite athletes, hence in view of conflict of interest, a decision was taken to have the independent body responsible for managing the Anti Doping Program in the country.
The Union Cabinet took a decision to sign Copenhagen declaration on anti doping and to set up National Anti Doping Agency in December 2004.
National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) responsible for education, test planning, result management & implementation of Anti-Doping Code of WADA was registered in 2007.
National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) got WADA Accreditation in September 21, 2008 for analytical testing of samples and research in the field of dope analysis.
The first meeting of General Body/Governing Body of NDTL was held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister YA&S on 5th Jan. 2009. The recruitment rules, tariff for dope testing, Action plan for CWG 2010 was duly approved by the Governing Body.
NDTL shifted to the new site in May 2009 which has area of the 2700 sq meter. It has excellent facilities for increasing the testing capacity of the lab and for the Commonwealth Games 2010.
Website of NDTL was successfully launched in the month of January 2010. (www.ndtlindia.com).
NDTL has state of the art facilities for research and is engaged in conducting research on various projects.
NDTL has achieved NABL accreditation for its horse dope testing facility in April 2014 and routine testing of samples from Hyderabad Race Club started from July, 2014.
NDTL got accreditation as PT Provider (ISO/IEC 17043:2010) in the field of Drugs.
WAADS Executive board member: Dr. Alka Beotra, Scientific Director got nominated on WAADS Executive board from March 2015 to 2018.
Appointment of Dr. Shila Jain as Laboratory Director since 02nd November, 2016 and Dr. Tejinder Kaur as Scientific Consultant since 09th January, 2017
Mr. Rahul Bhatnagar, Secretary (Sports), Deptt. of Sports, MYAS as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since December, 2017
Appointment of Dr. P. L. Sahu as Scientific Director since Aug, 2018.
Mr. Radhey Shyam Julaniya, Secretary (Sports), Deptt. of Sports, MYAS appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on Feb, 2019
Mr. L. S. Singh, Joint Secretary (Sports-Development), Deptt. of Sports, MYAS as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since Feb, 2020
Dr. P. L. Sahu, Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NDTL since June, 2021
A team of 15 members from UNESCO and Ms. Ritu Sain (IAS). Director General, National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) visited at NDTL on 21st June 2022. They have visited the laboratory facilities, premises and discuss the prospectus of anti-doping science in India.
Director, NDTL addressed at a Symposium on “Challenges of Post-COVID Era” held at Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPRSU, New Delhi) on 9th May, 2022.
Director participated in WADA Laboratory Directors’ meeting held on 9th -10th June 2022 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Dr. P. L. Sahu, Director and Dr Kapendra Sahu, Scientist ‘C’ (NDTL) had attended the WADA Annual Symposium on theme ‘Raising the Game’ on 11th & 12th June 2022 at Lausanne, Switzerland.
Director, National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), participated in the WADA Laboratory Director`s meeting held on 12-13th March, 2023 and WADA Annual Symposium was held on 14-15th March, 2023 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
On 03rd August 2022, 16th Governing Body & 14th General Meeting of the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) was held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur.
An on-site assessment was carried out by World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) from 22-24th May 2022. On this, occasion Director NDTL welcome and facilitated all the team members.
NDTL’s Cafeteria has been constructed in consideration for enhancing the welfare of the employees of NDTL. It has been inaugurated during the Governing Body meeting of NDTL on 27th March 2023 by the Hon’ble Minister of State, Youth Affairs and Sports in the presence of Secretary, Department of Sports and other senior officials of the Ministry. In addition, the new cold room was also inaugurated by the same.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) jointly organized the “WADA Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) Symposium- 2022” from 12th to 14th October, 2022 in New Delhi. This was the third WADA ABP Symposium is hosted in India for the first time. Two hundred plus participants from 56 Countries, WADA Officials, representatives and Experts from different National Anti-Doping Organizations, Athlete Passport Management Units (APMUs) and WADA Accredited Laboratories were participated in this Symposium.
The 9th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF), 2023 was organized by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Space, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of Haryana, in association with Vijnana Bharati at DBT THSTI- RCB Campus, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana from 17th – 20th January 2024. NDTL set up a stall in the expo and took active participation to create awareness about contamination in the food supplements and prohibited substance in the sports and their analytical importance as well the stringent WADA procedures & regularities.
The 17th Governing Body meeting of NDTL has been convened on 27th March 2023 in the Chairmanship of the Minister of State, Youth Affairs and Sports along with the senior official of MYAS.
Director, NDTL and Mr. Arpit Soni, Scientist ‘C’ attended Manfred Donike Workshop 41st Cologne Workshop on Dope Analysis, 2023 from 26th February 2023 to 3rd March 2023 at Cologne, Germany. A total of four posters were presented.
Ministry of Youth Affair and Sport had organized India’s Biggest Sport and Fitness Expo 2023 from 14th to 16th December, 2023 at Pragati Maiden, New Delhi- India. NDTL set up a stall in the expo and took active participation to spread about awareness of prohibited drugs and substances in the sports, analytical importance of the anti-doping community and also awareness about prohibited substance and contamination in food supplements.
Eight delegates from Bhutan were visited India to get idea about anti-doping set up in their country. In this continuation they were visited NADA and NDTL, New Delhi on 12th March, 2024 and got the knowledge about anti-doping science and analytical facility in India at NDTL.
Three newly appointed Assistant Secretary of Department of Sports, MoYAS, Government of India Shri Lakshit Sareen, Haryana, Shri Lenin Vatsal Toppo, Telangana and Shri Sunny Raj, Jharkhand Visited at NDTL on 24th of August 2023 and interacted with all the sections for subjected to learn and get the training about the knowledge of anti-doping science.
Three Scientists of the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) named Dr. P. L. Sahu, Director & CEO(I/c), Dr. Anand Raj, Scientist-B, & Sh. Akhilesh Bhardwaj, Scientist-B participated and 06 poster were presented in Manfred Donike Workshop, 42nd Cologne Workshop on Dope Analysis, held on 26-29 February 2024 (4 Days) at Cologne, Germany.
Director, NDTL participated in WADA Laboratory Directors meeting held on 11-12 March 2024 in Lausanne, Switzerland. All 29 Laboratories Directors attended the said meeting.
7th WAADS QA Manager Meeting was organized by DoCoLab, Ghent University, Belgium on 13th & 14th April 2023. This meeting was attended by Total 50 Participant from 30 countries. From NDTL, Dr. Shaily Bhargava, Quality Manager & Dr. Anandarajan. T, Scientist “B” & Deputy Quality Manager were participated in the Meeting.
NDTL conferred with the 3rd prize of Swachh Bharat Pakhwada Awards 2023 for their exemplary performance in the field of Swachhta. NDTL and other PSU organization participated in Swachhta Pakhwada Awards, recognize outstanding efforts by the Department of Power PSUs in promoting the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission during the annual observance of Swachhta Pakhwada, held from May 16-31, 2023. NDTL, in that NDTL received third position for Swachhata Pakhwada Award-2023, sponsored by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitization, for its outstanding contribution and received the award from Secretary (Sport) on 23rd November 2023.
NDTL’s 4th Newsletter released by Shri. Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, MYAS with Secretary of Sports, along with senior officers of the Ministry on 22.02.2024.
Inauguration of the Renovated Conference Hall at the first floor by Shri. Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, MYAS with Secretary of Sports, along with senior officers of the Ministry on 22.02.2024.
National Dope Testing Laboratory, New Delhi recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIROs) by the Department of Scientific Industrial Research under the scheme of recognition of Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO), 1988 for the period from 24.03.2022 to 31.03.2024 for first time. The same got renewed as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIROs) by the Department of Scientific Industrial Research Recognition to NDTL for the period from 01.04.2024 to 31.03.2027 (three years).
On 20th November 2024, the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) hosted a group of international delegates from neighboring countries, as part of the Global Learning Development Framework (GLDF) training program on results management. This program was organized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in collaboration with NADA India.
On 19th September 2024, Dr. Mai Al Jaber, President, and Ms. Rafeeah Alowais, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates National Anti-Doping Agency (UAE NADA), visited the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL).
On 22nd August 2024, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, visited the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL). During his visit, he engaged with scientists and senior staff members in a productive session at the Conference Hall. The Minister also visited around the laboratory facilities, where he was briefed on the advanced analytical capabilities, ongoing research, and international standards upheld by NDTL in anti-doping science. Dr. Mandaviya praised the team’s commitment and technical expertise in ensuring fair play in sports through scientific integrity.
43rd Cologne Workshop on Doping Analysis 2025; The workshop held on February 16-20, 2025 with 190 participants from 29 countries at German Sport University. From National Dope Testing laboratory, India three Scientists namely Dr. Tarun Handa, Scientist D, Dr. Kapendra Handa Scientist-C and Dr. Pallerla PavanKumar Scientist-B were participated in the workshop and presented two posters.
On 29th November 2024, a virtual training session on the Athletes Passport Management Unit (APMU) was held at the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) Conference Hall. The session was led by Dr. Masato Okano, Lab Director from Japan, a recognized expert in the field.
Dr. Reid Aikin, Associate Director, ABP, Science and Medicine, WADA & Dr. Norbert Baume Senior Manager, ABP, Science and Medicine, WADA imparted APMU training as per WADA Agenda at NDTL for 3 days from 29th, January 2025 to 31st, January 2025. Discussed various point related to APMU laboratory issues in the three modules like Steroidal, Endocrine, Hematological.
IAS officer trainees Sh. Akshay Pillay, lAS (Odisha:2022), Sh. Kartikeya Jaiswal, lAS (Madhya Pradesh:2022), Ms. Pratibha Dahiya, lAS (Gujarat:2022) posted in Department of Sports as Assistant Secretaries were visited NDTL on 22nd May 2024.
Prof. (Dr.) Peter Van Eenoo, Director, DoCo Lab, University of Ghent, Belgium, a distinguished Scientist renowned for his work in the field of Anti-Doping Science, visited National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), New Delhi on 24th & 25th June 2024. He delivered a keynote lecture on “Fundamental of Steroidal Module in respect to APMU”. The discussion was on GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS techniques, its advancements, quality management system and he also shared his views for further strengthening of the laboratory.
The 8th Quality Manager Meeting organized by the World Association of Anti-Doping Scientists (WAADS) was held in Dresden, Germany from 22 to 23rd October 2024. Shri Awanish Kumar Upadhyay, Scientist “C”, and Dr. Anandarajan T, Scientist “B” & Quality Manager had represented the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), New Delhi, in the prestigious event.
The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) participated in the prestigious Sport India Expo 2024, held from August 29th to 31st, 2024, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The event was organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, and hosted by the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) and the Sport India Foundation in association with Indian Exhibition Services.
National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) also took part in the Government Achievements and Scheme Expo 2024, the premier exhibition being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 20th- 22nd July, 2024 and the NDTL stall was awarded 2nd Prize for Excellent Achievements.
WADA Accreditation Renewed for 2025: To maintaining the Accreditation of World-Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of the Laboratory is a unique performance work among the others laboratory accreditation due to the following International Standards for Laboratories (ISL) including the stringent rules, guidelines and regulations such as Technical Letters (TL’s), Technical Note (TN’s), Technical Documents (TD’s) etc.
NDTL Annual Conference 2025: The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) held its Annual Conference 2025 on March 19th, focusing on “Anti-Doping Science: Innovations and Challenges.” The event brought together experts, researchers, and sports professionals from across India. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment. Graced by dignitaries including Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi, Secretary (Sports), Shri Kunal, Joint Secretary (Sports), and Prof. (Dr.) P. L. Sahu, Director of NDTL.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) at the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in the presence of Secretary (Sports) along with the senior officials in New Delhi on 17th April 2025.