India’s Sports Authority of India (SAI), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), conducted a one-day workshop on Good Clinical Practice (GCP) at Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi, to strengthen ethical sports science research. The initiative comes as India faces heightened scrutiny, with the Athletics Integrity Unit recently upgrading the country to a high-risk category for doping, and as preparations build for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
The workshop, held in hybrid mode, brought together researchers, support staff, and stakeholders to enhance understanding of ethical and regulatory frameworks in human studies. Experts from ICMR led sessions on ICH-GCP principles, ICMR Ethical Guidelines, NDCTR 2019 provisions, roles of investigators and ethics committees, informed consent, and management of adverse events. Speakers including Dr. Stuti Bhargava and Brig. (Dr) Bibhu Kalyan Nayak emphasized that adherence to GCP is both a regulatory requirement and a moral responsibility, ensuring participant safety, data integrity, and credibility in sports science research.
The event highlighted the growing need to align India’s sports research with global ethical standards. Dr. Jugal Kishore underscored the importance of ethics oversight, while participants reaffirmed their commitment to responsible research practices. The programme concluded with an interactive valedictory session, reinforcing the role of such initiatives in building trust, strengthening governance, and advancing athlete well-being through credible scientific outcomes.