New Delhi: In 2025, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) underwent a significant leadership transition and consolidated its position as a global shooting powerhouse.
Under the stewardship of Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, who was elected unopposed as President recently and officially began his full four-year term in late 2025, the federation focused on institutional stability, technical innovation, and sustaining the momentum from the Paris Olympic success.
The year was marked by the unopposed election of Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo as President on December 4, 2025, alongside Pawan Kumar Singh as Secretary General. This continuity was seen as a stabilizing force for the sport. Singh Deo’s leadership style emphasized a visionary approach, aiming to move Indian shooting beyond traditional administrative models toward a more professional and technology-driven ecosystem.
His influence extended to the international stage as well. In July 2025, he was appointed as the Interim Chairperson of the ISSF Committee on E-Sports and Innovations. This role reflected India’s growing importance in global sports governance and aligned with his internal push for technical modernization within the NRAI.
A cornerstone of Shri Singh Deo’s 2025 agenda was the launch of the Shooting League of India (SLI). This franchise-based league, sanctioned by the ISSF, was designed to professionalize the sport, attract private investment, and increase public engagement through a more broadcast-friendly mixed-team format.
The NRAI also introduced a refined selection policy for 2025, dividing shooters into “Group A” and “Group B” to ensure a more focused approach to Olympic events and to provide depth in the national squad. This system aimed to prevent athlete burnout while maintaining a high-performance pipeline. The federation further professionalized its support staff under High-Performance Director Dr. Pierre Beauchamp, achieving a medal conversion rate for finalists of approximately 50 percent.
Indian shooters delivered historically significant performances in 2025 across major ISSF competitions. India finished among the top nations at the World Championships in Cairo. The season concluded with a strong six-medal haul in Doha.
The NRAI continued to expand its domestic footprint, overseeing more than 95,000 registered shooters and 17,000 ranges. The 68th National Shooting Championship Competitions (NSCC) held at the end of 2025 saw massive participation, serving as a critical platform for identifying “future top guns.” Additionally, the federation focused on human capital, training over 1,000 NRAI and ISSF-certified coaches to standardize instruction across the country.
Overall, 2025 was a year of institutionalizing the gains made in previous cycles. By combining political stability with technical upgrades and a new commercial league, the NRAI under Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has set a clear trajectory toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.