NRAI Selection Trials 4 begin June 6 in Dehradun, Asian Games 2026 squad at stake
Synopsis
India's top shooters converge on Dehradun from 6–10 June for NRAI Selection Trials 4 — the single most consequential domestic competition of the season. With only 30 Asian Games 2026 spots available across all disciplines, multi-event excellence is no longer optional; it is the price of admission.
Key Takeaways
NRAI Selection Trials 4 run from 6 June to 10 June at Trishul Shooting Range , Dehradun .
Squads for the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou and Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya will both be decided after these trials.
Asian Games 2026 participation is capped at 30 athletes across Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun combined.
Teenager Suraj Sharma tops the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol rankings, ahead of Olympians Anish Bhanwala and Vijayveer Sidhu .
Finals begin on 7 June , covering 10m Air Rifle men and women and 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) will conduct Selection Trials 4 for Group 'A' shooters in rifle and pistol events from 6 June to 10 June at the Trishul Shooting Range, Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun. The five-day competition carries exceptional weight this season, with squads for both the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China and the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya to be finalised on the basis of these results.
Why These Trials Carry Extra Weight
The Asian Games 2026, scheduled for September in Aichi-Nagoya, has capped total participation at 30 athletes across all three disciplines — Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun. That constraint forces shooters to compete across multiple events, raising the stakes for every individual performance. Selection will follow NRAI's established policy, and no exceptions have been indicated.
The ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, scheduled for next month, adds a further layer of urgency. Performers at Dehradun will effectively be shortlisted for two major international assignments in quick succession.
Key Contenders to Watch
Teenager Suraj Sharma, who recently made his senior World Cup debut in Munich, leads the current rankings in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event. Olympians Anish Bhanwala and Vijayveer Sidhu sit second and third, respectively. Bhavesh Shekhawat, Omkar Singh, and Udhayveer Sidhu complete the top six in fourth, fifth, and sixth places.
The presence of multiple Olympians alongside a rising junior talent like Sharma makes the Rapid Fire Pistol draw one of the most competitive on the schedule.
Full Schedule of Selection Trials 4
June 6 — 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Stage 1
June 7 — 10m Air Rifle Men Final; 10m Air Rifle Women Final; 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men Final; 25m Pistol Women Precision Stage
June 8 — 25m Pistol Women Rapid Stage and Final
June 9 — 10m Air Pistol Men Final; 10m Air Pistol Women Final; 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women Final; 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men Final
June 10 — 50m Rifle Prone Men and Women
What Comes Next
Once the trials conclude on 10 June, the NRAI is expected to announce the squads for both the Hangzhou World Cup and the Asian Games. With India's shooting contingent having delivered strong results on the international circuit in recent seasons, the pressure to maintain that momentum — and to qualify well at the Asian Games — will shape every shot fired at Dehradun this week.
Point of View
Which could disadvantage specialists who have historically been India's most decorated performers internationally. The NRAI's decision to bundle World Cup and Asian Games selection into a single trial window is efficient, but it also means a single off day in Dehradun could cost an athlete both assignments. That is a significant structural pressure point worth watching as results come in.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NRAI Selection Trials 4 and where is it being held?
NRAI Selection Trials 4 is a five-day shooting competition for Group 'A' rifle and pistol athletes, held from 6 to 10 June at the Trishul Shooting Range, Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun. It is one of the most important domestic trials of the season.
Which international events will be decided by these trials?
The squads for the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China — scheduled for next month — and the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, scheduled for September, will both be finalised after Selection Trials 4 conclude, in line with NRAI's selection policy.
Why is the Asian Games 2026 squad selection especially competitive this year?
Total Asian Games participation is capped at 30 athletes across all three disciplines — Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun. This means shooters who can perform across multiple events have a significant advantage, raising the overall difficulty of making the squad.
Who are the top contenders in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event?
Teenager Suraj Sharma currently leads the rankings in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event following his senior World Cup debut in Munich. Olympians Anish Bhanwala and Vijayveer Sidhu are ranked second and third, with Bhavesh Shekhawat, Omkar Singh, and Udhayveer Sidhu rounding out the top six.
When are the finals scheduled during Selection Trials 4?
Finals begin on 7 June with the 10m Air Rifle Men, 10m Air Rifle Women, and 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men events. Subsequent finals run through 10 June, covering Air Pistol, 50m Rifle 3 Positions, and 50m Rifle Prone disciplines for both men and women.
