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News:
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The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has issued a circular mandating the Sex-Determining Region Y (SRY) gene test for all female athletes.
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Starting in 2027, no female athlete will be eligible to compete in AFI-organized events without undergoing this screening.
- Ahead of the upcoming 65th National Inter-State Meet in Bhubaneswar, athletes must carry their passport and AFI UID card to initiate the process.
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Implementation Process:
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Frequency: This is a once-in-a-lifetime test because an individual's genetic makeup remains fixed throughout life.
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Authorized Center: Testing must be conducted exclusively at an AFI-accredited facility (MedGenome Labs Ltd.).
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Athletes must obtain an official authorization letter from the AFI prior to testing; reports from unauthorized laboratories will not be accepted.
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Objective:
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To protect the female category in elite sports by ensuring that athletes do not have physiological advantages linked to male development.
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Global Alignment: This mirrors international standards; the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Athletics enforce strict genetic screening and regulations regarding Transgender and Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) athletes to ensure safety and fair competition.
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About SRY Gene Test:
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Definition: The SRY (Sex-determining Region Y) gene is a critical DNA segment located almost exclusively on the Y chromosome.
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Biological Function: It acts as the master switch that triggers the development of testes and initiates male sexual development, driving the production of testosterone.
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Testing Methodology: The test works by collecting a saliva sample, analyzing DNA for the SRY gene.
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