India’s shooting powerhouses are shifting gears after a triumphant run at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026, where they topped the medal tally with 76 podium finishes—39 gold, 18 silver, and 19 bronze. Now, all eyes are on the National Selection Trials 3 (Group A), unfolding from March 6 to 10 at Delhi’s iconic Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range.
These trials are more than just competitions; they’re gateways to the national team and the grueling international calendar ahead. Nearly every top rifle and pistol shooter will vie in 10 disciplines, including the full slate of Olympic events and additional rifle prone contests for men and women.
In Bhopal, Group B shooters will tackle their Rifle/Pistol Trials 3 and 4 at the MP State Shooting Academy through March 22. Following selections, the national squad assembles in New Delhi for intensive coaching from March 10 to 21.
Shotgun specialists wasted no time, launching their national camp on Thursday in New Delhi. Skeet shooters led the charge, with trap athletes arriving March 8, building momentum for the ISSF World Cup in Tangier.
Preparations extend to pre-event camps before the World Cups, with squads already named for key stages. The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle kicks off this year, with initial quotas at stake in Doha’s ISSF World Championship later in 2026. Add the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, and it’s clear: these trials will define India’s shooting trajectory.
Domestic and global competitions will interplay to forge unbeatable teams in rifle, pistol, and shotgun, setting the stage for medal hauls worldwide.