The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) launched celebrations for its 75th anniversary on April 27, attended by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya along with senior dignitaries and athletes in New Delhi.
The event highlighted Indian shooting’s future ambitions, particularly through the expansion of the Shooting League of India (SLI). NRAI revealed a special 75-year commemorative logo to represent seven and a half decades of discipline and success in Indian shooting.
As part of its anniversary plans, NRAI announced a nationwide grassroots initiative to introduce 750,000 school and college students to shooting before the 2028 Olympics. The '10-shot experience' programme will be implemented across various states and districts in cooperation with organisations including the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), universities, school boards, and State Associations. It aims to increase awareness and participation at the grassroots level and support talent identification.
The occasion also marked the launch of the NRAI Athlete App, which establishes NRAI as India's first fully digitised sports federation. The app is designed as a comprehensive platform for athlete management, ranging from onboarding and registering the youth participants in the grassroots programme to issuing certificates, maintaining records, and tracking the performances of elite and international shooters.
To commemorate the event, NRAI presented a 75-year logo memento to the Sports Minister in recognition of the dual milestones for Indian shooting.
Minister Mandaviya said, “As the NRAI celebrates 75 remarkable years, it is encouraging to see Indian shooting embrace innovation and a long-term vision through initiatives like the Athlete App, grassroots outreach to 7.5 lakh youth, and the upcoming Shooting League of India. These efforts will help identify talent, strengthen our sporting ecosystem, and create greater opportunities for athletes. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has shown immense growth in sports, and with the right planning, integration, and commitment, we can emerge as one of the world’s leading sporting nations in the years ahead.”
NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo stated, “As we celebrate 75 remarkable years of the NRAI, this milestone is not only about reflecting on our legacy but also about shaping the future of Indian shooting. Our vision is to make the sport more accessible, aspirational, and engaging for the next generation. Through nationwide grassroots initiatives, the launch of the NRAI Athlete App, and the continued momentum of the Shooting League of India, we are laying the foundation for a stronger and more inclusive ecosystem for the sport in India.”
NRAI Secretary General Pawankumar Singh said, “The 75th anniversary celebration is a landmark moment for Indian shooting, and this year-long programme reflects the scale of our ambition. From introducing 7,50,000 young students to the sport before the 2028 Olympics through the ’10-shot experience’ to leveraging technology through the Athlete App and creating new opportunities for athletes through the Shooting League of India, we are focused on building robust pathways for talent identification, athlete development, and greater fan engagement.”
Among those present were leading Indian shooters, both current and former, including two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker. She commented, “The NRAI has played a huge role in shaping Indian shooting over the last 75 years, and I’m proud to be part of this journey. Initiatives like introducing 7,50,000 young students to the sport and launching the Athlete App show that Indian shooting is thinking boldly for the future. The more accessible we make the sport at the grassroots level, the stronger our talent pipeline will become. I’m excited to see how these efforts inspire the next generation of champions.”
The event also emphasised the ongoing excitement surrounding the Shooting League of India, India's first franchise-based professional shooting league, which aims to transform the sport into a more fan-focused and engaging experience. Although the SLI logo has been unveiled, the league remains a crucial element in NRAI's vision to mainstream shooting and broaden its audience.
Celebrating a rich history alongside ambitious plans, NRAI's 75th anniversary marks both a moment of reflection and a declaration of intent for the continued development of Indian shooting.