Indian judoka Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games [1].

The suspension removes a high-profile medal contender from India's roster for the upcoming Glasgow event. Maan previously secured a silver medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games [1].

NADA issued the provisional suspension after Maan accumulated three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period [1]. Under anti-doping regulations, athletes must provide accurate and updated information regarding their location to allow for random out-of-competition testing. A failure occurs when an athlete is unavailable for testing at the location specified in their filing, or fails to submit the required documentation [1].

Because of the provisional nature of the suspension, Maan is ruled out of participation in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow [2]. The ruling follows strict adherence to the whereabouts system, which is designed to ensure that athletes cannot avoid drug testing by remaining unreachable.

This development marks a significant setback for the Indian judo contingent. Maan had been viewed as a primary hope for a podium finish following her previous success in Birmingham [1]. The agency's decision underscores the rigorous enforcement of anti-doping protocols for elite athletes, regardless of their past achievements.

NADA said it has not provided further details regarding the specific timeline of the failures or the potential length of a final suspension if the provisional status is upheld after a full hearing [2].

“Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)”

A 'whereabouts failure' is not a positive drug test, but a procedural violation that is treated with similar severity under the World Anti-Doping Code. By missing three tests or filings in a year, an athlete is presumed to be avoiding detection, which can lead to a multi-year ban. For India, this loss signifies a gap in their competitive strength for the 2026 Games, as they lose a proven medalist due to administrative non-compliance.