The National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) — an initiative under the Sports Authority of India (SAI) — held the inaugural meeting of its Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC) recently at the SAI head office, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
This landmark session, marks a significant milestone in formalising ethical practices for scientific research involving human participants in the field of sports and allied sciences, as per a press release from SAI Media.
Chaired by Professor Jugal Kishore, director professor and former head of community medicine at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, the meeting brought together distinguished committee members from leading academic institutions and government bodies. Discussions centred on standardising ethical protocols for research approvals, safeguarding participant welfare, and ensuring scientific integrity across all NCSSR research activities.
During the session, the committee reviewed procedures for research project submission, evaluation, and monitoring. It also addressed legal and ethical considerations specific to studies involving athletes and other human subjects. Key issues included informed consent, data protection, and the long-term impact of research on athletes’ health and performance.
The IEC’s mandate will play a vital role in ensuring that all NCSSR projects comply with both national and international ethical standards. The committee reaffirmed its shared responsibility to foster a culture of ethical excellence and scientific rigour. The meeting concluded with a collective resolution to embed ethical reflection at every stage of research — from planning and approval to execution and publication.
SAI secretary Vishnu Kant Tiwari said, “The establishment of the IEC represents our firm commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics in sports science research. This committee will play a pivotal role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and participant protection in all scientific endeavours under NCSSR.”
Kishore added, “Ethical scrutiny is essential in research involving human subjects, especially in sports science where both physical and psychological factors are at play. Our role as an ethical committee is not to hinder research but to ensure it is conducted with dignity, care, and accountability.”
