The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) faces one of the most consequential elections at NRAI Elections 2025 in its 74-year history as it prepares to choose its next president on December 4, 2025.
The outcome will shape India’s shooting roadmap through the complete Olympic cycle leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Games, a period in which India is expected to challenge for multiple medals after its historic three-bronze haul at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
At the heart of this election lies a compelling contest between two sharply contrasting leadership models: institutional continuity under incumbent Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo (KNSD) versus technical legitimacy and athlete-centric governance promised by challenger Gagan Narang, the London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist.
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The NRAI’s recent success at Paris 2024, its best Olympic performance ever, has created both optimism and pressure. This is the moment to consolidate progress, strengthen systems, and eliminate administrative inconsistencies that have repeatedly surfaced in athlete selection and policy execution. The new leadership must ensure that India’s shooting program continues to evolve at international standards while maintaining credibility among athletes and stakeholders.
A critical stabilizer amid this election is the uncontested appointment of Pawan Kumar Singh as Secretary General an ISSF Judges Committee member and an experienced coach. His technical expertise ensures operational continuity regardless of who becomes president, allowing the federation to avoid structural disruption.
The Incumbent: Political Leverage and Commercial Vision
K.N. Singh Deo, a seasoned politician from Odisha, represents the historical governance pattern of the NRAI one rooted in administrative influence and political capital. Since the federation’s inception, its presidents have often been senior national political figures, reflecting the need for strong government interface in matters such as arms imports, funding, and infrastructure development. KNSD fits squarely into this legacy.
His tenure, beginning in 2024 after Raninder Singh’s exit due to tenure limits, coincided with India’s medal breakthrough in Paris. His supporters attribute this to the federation’s planning stability and athlete support systems. His biggest project, however, is the upcoming Shooting League of India (SLI) a franchise-based league intended to professionalize the sport, attract private investment, and increase public engagement. Endorsed by the ISSF, it has the potential to reshape the financial foundations of Indian shooting.
Yet, KNSD’s tenure has also faced scrutiny. Controversies around changes in selection criteria ahead of major trials and the initial omission of Paris double-medallist Manu Bhaker from the Khel Ratna nominations raised questions regarding transparency and athlete relations. Though the administration acted to mitigate backlash, the incidents fueled demand for more athlete-driven governance.
The Challenger: Gagan Narang and the Push for Technical Credibility
Standing against the incumbent is Gagan Narang, one of the most respected figures in Indian shooting. An Olympic medallist, Khel Ratna awardee, and founder of the Gun for Glory academy, Narang brings decades of domain expertise and hands-on developmental experience. His candidacy symbolizes a shift toward professional, athlete-centric leadership where selection clarity, high-performance transparency, and technical decision-making take precedence over political capital.
Importantly, Narang’s campaign appears strategically crafted. He has filed nominations for both President and Vice President, ensuring he can secure a place in the Executive Committee even if he withdraws from the presidential fight before the final list is announced. This positions him to influence policy for the next four years irrespective of the election outcome, injecting much-needed sporting expertise into administration.
The Larger Picture: What This Election Means for LA 2028
The importance of this election extends far beyond leadership preferences. Shooting offers 15 medal events at LA 2028 and remains India’s most structurally capable Olympic sport. Continuity and technical sharpness must coexist if India is to build on the Paris breakthrough.
A victory for KNSD ensures:
- Sustained political connectivity
- Faster clearances for arms and ammunition
- Strong government funding and infrastructure development
- Commercial growth through the Shooting League
A victory for Narang promises:
- Heightened technical oversight
- Transparent selection systems
- Greater athlete trust
- Stronger grassroots development and coaching depth
The optimal system, as the attachment argues, is a hybrid model that merges institutional strength with athlete-centric technical leadership an equilibrium that may only emerge if both leaders share administrative space in the next cycle.
The NRAI Presidential Election 2025 is more than a battle of personalities it is a referendum on what model Indian sport should adopt for the future. As the shooting fraternity prepares to choose between political continuity and technical transformation, the decision will directly influence India’s medal prospects at LA 2028 and determine how shooting evolves as a mature, globally competitive ecosystem.
What happens on December 4 will shape the next four years and possibly the next decade of Indian shooting.
