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National 1500m record holder KM Deeksha has reportedly failed a dope test, casting doubt over her future as India continues to top the AIU’s ineligible athletes list.
KM Deeksha (X)
Indian athletics has been hit by another doping controversy, with national 1500m record holder K M Deeksha reportedly testing positive for a banned substance.
According to sources, the 27-year-old middle-distance runner has failed a dope test conducted this year. While the exact substance and details surrounding the sample have not yet been made public, the development could have serious implications for one of India’s leading female athletes.
“Yes, it’s confirmed that she has failed a dope test,” a source told PTI, without disclosing further information.
Deeksha has competed only once so far in 2026, clocking 4:25.74 to win the women’s 1500m event at the Indian Open Athletics Series 2 in Jaipur on April 5. The performance, however, was well outside the Athletics Federation of India’s Commonwealth Games qualifying standard of 4:05.09.
Her personal best and national record remains 4:04.78, achieved in May 2024 during a competition in the United States. That run established her as India’s fastest-ever woman over the distance and cemented her status as one of the country’s top middle-distance prospects.
A silver medallist at the National Games, Deeksha was notably absent from the Federation Cup in Ranchi earlier this year. Participation in the event was mandatory for athletes seeking selection for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, unless exempted by the Athletics Federation of India.
The AFI later provided eligible athletes with another opportunity to achieve qualification standards at the Indian Athletics Series meet in Ludhiana on June 13. However, only athletes who had participated in the Federation Cup were eligible for consideration, effectively ruling Deeksha out of the Commonwealth Games selection race.
Deeksha is part of the National Anti-Doping Agency’s Registered Testing Pool, which subjects elite athletes to regular out-of-competition testing.
The case comes at a time when Indian athletics continues to grapple with a troubling doping record. According to the latest figures released by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), India remains at the top of the global list of currently ineligible athletes with 154 suspended track and field competitors as of the end of May 2026.
Kenya follows with 147 suspended athletes, while Russia has 65. India had overtaken Kenya earlier this year and has remained at the top of the AIU list since March.
The latest case is likely to renew concerns over doping controls and athlete education within Indian athletics.
(with PTI inputs)
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
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