The National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) is an autonomous body of the Government of India. This is a premier analytical testing and research organization established in the country and mandated for dope testing of sportspersons at both domestic as well as international levels. It is accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and also accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL) as per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for chemical and biological testing.
NDTL is one of the modern and state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with highly sophisticated analytical equipment and instruments required for human dope testing. It is the only laboratory of its kind in the country with the most advanced facilities and methods required for anti-doping science and allied research, while strictly adhering to the protocols of WADA International Standards for Laboratories (ISLs).
Presently, it is one of the twenty-nine (29) WADA-accredited laboratories in the world. It abides by the WADA guidelines and is subject to periodical WADA assessment/review. Consistently striving for excellence, NDTL regularly updates its equipment and enhances the skill of its analytical personnel. The laboratory is equipped with highly sophisticated instruments like Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), etc., essentially required for testing of urine and blood samples for human sports.
In an effort to realize India’s longstanding potential for achieving self-sustenance in every field and keeping in tune with the Government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, NDTL has taken up several initiatives of collaborative research in the field of anti-doping science with premier scientific research institutes of India, having signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER-G), Guwahati, CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu (IIIM-J) and National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).
Consistently striving for excellence, NDTL regularly updates its equipment and enhances the skill of its analytical personnel. At the very core of NDTL are its scientists, who work tirelessly on research and development of new analytical methods, ensuring that India sets high standards in dope science research. In the process, NDTL shares its expertise with a number of countries and extends dope testing services for various countries in Asia and beyond.
NDTL participates in various External Quality Assurance Schemes (EQAS) such as World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), World Association of Anti-Doping Scientists (WAADS), and Swiss Centre for Quality Control (CSCQ). It endeavours to deliver its services appropriate to the client’s needs, striving to continuously improve its services and maintain its quality performance. NDTL aims at systematically promoting skills and knowledge of all its staff members by imparting appropriate training of the highest standards.
Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) at NDTL:
NDTL houses a dedicated Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU), which plays a pivotal role in the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program under WADA guidelines. The APMU is responsible for the review, interpretation, and expert evaluation of longitudinal biological data collected from athletes over time. This helps in identifying potential doping cases by detecting indirect markers of doping rather than relying solely on the direct detection of prohibited substances. The APMU at NDTL works in close collaboration with WADA, International Federations, and Anti-Doping Organizations worldwide, ensuring scientific accuracy, confidentiality, and integrity in anti-doping intelligence and case management.
NDTL Support “Dope Free Sports”
