Sports Ministry releases Draft National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports 2025 for public comments
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports put the Draft National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports (NCAAFS) 2025 in the public domain on 13 March 2025, revising the framework after almost 15 years.
Summary
On 13 March 2025, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports released the Draft National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports (NCAAFS) 2025 for public and stakeholder comments â the first revision of the framework in almost 15 years. Athletes must submit three mandatory documents at registration; once verified, their age will be recorded and permanently locked in a centralised digital database. Age disputes will be settled by medical examination using the TW3 method, MRI scans and physical and dental examination, with AI-based bone assessment in a pilot phase, and appeals to an appellate medical panel. A first violation will bring a two-year ban and forfeiture of titles and medals; a second violation a lifetime ban and legal proceedings. Coaches and officials found guilty will also face penalties.
Key facts
- Released
- 13 March 2025, for public comments
- Code
- Draft National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports (NCAAFS) 2025
- Revision
- After almost 15 years
- Verification
- 3 mandatory documents; age locked in central digital database
- Medical test
- TW3 method, MRI, physical and dental exam; AI bone assessment (pilot)
- Penalties
- 1st: 2-year ban + forfeiture; 2nd: lifetime ban + legal action
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What does the draft NCAAFS 2025 released by the Sports Ministry in March 2025 deal with?
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Correct answer: B â Age fraud in sports
NCAAFS stands for National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports; the 2025 draft was released for comments on 13 March 2025.
Under the draft NCAAFS 2025, what is the penalty for an athlete's first age-fraud violation?
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Correct answer: D â Two-year ban and forfeiture of titles and medals
A first violation brings a two-year ban from all competitions and forfeiture of titles or medals; a second brings a lifetime ban and legal proceedings.
Consider the following statements about the draft National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports 2025: 1. Medical age determination will use the TW3 method, MRI scans and physical and dental examination. 2. It is the first such code in India, as no national framework on age fraud existed earlier. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A â 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the draft revises the existing framework after almost 15 years.