The Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) latest update to its gender eligibility framework has introduced one of the most significant policy shifts in Indian athletics in recent years, mandating Sex-determining Region Y, SRY gene testing for female athletes seeking to compete at the national level.
The advisory, issued on February 19, 2026, aligns India’s domestic competition structure with the revised global standards adopted by World Athletics in late 2025, marking a decisive move toward genetic verification as the primary criterion for participation in women’s sport.
This development represents a structural transformation in how eligibility within the female competition category is defined and administered in India. Historically, athletics has navigated multiple methods of verification from physical inspections in the mid-20th century to chromosomal testing and later testosterone-level monitoring.
The new AFI guidelines signal a departure from hormone-based assessment frameworks toward a biological classification rooted in genetics, effectively bringing national competition regulations in line with emerging international norms.
At the core of the updated policy lies the SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome and widely recognised as a key determinant in male biological development during early embryonic stages. The presence of this gene typically initiates a cascade of genetic processes that lead to the development of testes and subsequent male physiological characteristics, including higher natural testosterone levels and greater muscle mass.
Governing bodies such as AFI and World Athletics now consider the SRY gene to be a reliable biological marker for distinguishing eligibility within the women’s category, arguing that its presence may confer inherent physical advantages in competitive sport.
Under the revised framework, female athletes intending to participate in national-level competitions including flagship domestic meets such as the National Indoor Championships, Indian Open competitions, relay events, and technical discipline tournaments must obtain clearance through SRY testing. The mandate will apply across disciplines ranging from endurance events like marathons to power-based events such as throws and jumps, ensuring uniform compliance across the competition calendar.
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Procedurally, athletes will undergo a one-time genetic test, conducted either through a non-invasive buccal smear (cheek swab) or a blood sample at authorised medical facilities. These samples will then be analysed at accredited genetic laboratories, with results typically available within one to two weeks. Athletes who test negative for the gene will be cleared to compete, while those with positive results will enter a secondary confidential consultation process overseen by the AFI Medical Commission.
The Medical Commission comprising specialists in sports medicine, clinical practice, and legal advisory will be tasked not only with interpreting eligibility outcomes but also with ensuring that athletes receive appropriate counselling and medical support throughout the process. In cases involving differences in sex development (DSD), where genetic markers may not align with physiological response for instance, Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) additional medical review may be conducted before a final eligibility determination is made.
The implementation of this mandate is expected to place new demands on India’s sports science infrastructure, particularly the network of Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres that will facilitate sample collection and athlete interaction. With the 2026 international calendar including the Asian Games and other major championships already underway, the federation has urged state units and affiliated bodies to initiate testing protocols well in advance to prevent last-minute disqualifications or administrative delays.
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While AFI has framed the guidelines as a necessary step toward maintaining fairness in women’s sport, the policy has also reignited longstanding ethical debates surrounding gender verification in athletics. Critics have historically raised concerns about privacy, informed consent, and the psychological impact of genetic testing on athletes particularly in regions where previous verification controversies have had significant personal and social consequences for competitors.
The mandatory nature of the new requirement has prompted renewed discussion within the global sporting ecosystem regarding the balance between competitive integrity and individual rights.
Data governance represents another critical dimension of the updated framework. AFI has committed to maintaining strict confidentiality of genetic information, with access restricted to authorised medical personnel and data stored on secure encrypted platforms. Athletes are to be informed of the intended use and storage duration of their medical information, in line with evolving international standards governing sensitive biological data.
In parallel, the advisory also outlines the federation’s long-term interest in leveraging anonymised genetic data for research and development purposes, potentially contributing to a broader understanding of physiological diversity among Indian athletes. Such initiatives could inform future policy decisions and strengthen India’s position in global discussions on athlete eligibility frameworks.
The AFI’s move reflects a wider international trend, with several global federations across disciplines including boxing, skiing, and aquatics introducing comparable eligibility criteria rooted in biological verification. As these frameworks continue to evolve, the Indian athletics ecosystem will likely face ongoing legal, administrative, and scientific scrutiny regarding the implementation and impact of such measures.
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Ultimately, the 2026 SRY testing mandate marks a pivotal moment in the governance of women’s athletics in India. As the domestic season unfolds, the effectiveness of this policy will depend not only on its enforcement but also on the federation’s ability to uphold athlete dignity, ensure procedural transparency, and navigate the complex intersection of science, sport, and rights in modern competition.
