The National Rifle Association of India celebrated its 75th anniversary at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, marking seven and a half decades of competitive shooting in the country. During the event, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled a commemorative logo and launched initiatives aimed at digitising the sport and nurturing young talent. These developments signal a major shift towards professionalising shooting and preparing a robust talent pipeline for the 2028 Olympics.
MyNRAI Athlete App: Pioneering Digital Transformation in Sports
The launch of the MyNRAI Athlete App marks a significant milestone, making the National Rifle Association of India the first fully digitised sports federation in the country. This digital ecosystem is designed to streamline various administrative and athletic processes that were previously handled manually. The app serves as a comprehensive platform for athlete management, including registration, onboarding, and performance tracking for both budding and elite shooters.
Beyond simple record-keeping, the app simplifies the logistical aspects of competitive shooting. It allows athletes to manage competition entry forms, access competitor cards, and generate essential documents like weapon carrying letters and equipment control sheets. By centralising these functions, the NRAI aims to enhance transparency and efficiency, ensuring that shooters can focus more on their training and less on bureaucratic hurdles. This initiative aligns with the broader Digital India vision, showcasing how technology can modernise sports governance.
Empowering the Youth: The 7.5 Lakh Grassroots Initiative
To ensure a steady flow of talent into the sport, the NRAI announced an ambitious nationwide grassroots programme. This initiative aims to introduce 7.5 lakh school and college students to the sport of shooting before the 2028 Olympics. Central to this effort is the “10-shot experience”, a hands-on programme where students are given the opportunity to fire 10 shots under professional guidance to understand the fundamentals of the sport.
The programme will be implemented through a dual approach. NRAI teams will visit educational institutions across the country, while students will also be invited to the nearest shooting ranges. By democratising access to what is often perceived as an elite sport, the federation hopes to identify and mentor the next generation of champions. The MyNRAI Athlete App will play a crucial role here, serving as the primary tool for onboarding and tracking the progress of these 7.5 lakh participants.
The Legacy and Evolution of the National Rifle Association of India
Established on April 17, 1951, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has been the cornerstone of shooting sports in the country for over seven decades. The association was founded by G.V. Mavlankar, the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha, who served as its first president. Over the years, the NRAI has nurtured some of India’s most successful Olympic athletes, contributing significantly to India’s medal tally at international events.
Headquartered in New Delhi, the NRAI is affiliated with the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), the Asian Shooting Confederation, and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The federation’s 75-year journey has seen Indian shooting evolve from a niche activity to a major competitive sport. Moving forward, the federation plans to further expand its reach through the Shooting League of India (SLI), which aims to bring more professional structure and commercial viability to the sport.
Key Takeaways
- The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) celebrated its 75th anniversary on May 06, 2026, at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.
- Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled a special commemorative logo to mark 75 years of the federation.
- The MyNRAI Athlete App was launched, making NRAI the first fully digitised sports federation in India.
- A nationwide grassroots programme aims to introduce 7.5 lakh students to shooting through a “10-shot experience” before the 2028 Olympics.
- The NRAI was established in 1951 by its founder president G.V. Mavlankar, who was also the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
- The federation is headquartered in New Delhi and is affiliated with global bodies like the ISSF and the Asian Shooting Confederation.
