The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has tweaked its selection criteria to provide a level-playing field to all shooters, who aspire to make the cut for the Indian team for Rio Olympics.

The changes means, the shooters who are not part of the Indian team have a fair chance against the ones who will be appearing in international competitions.

Now the shooters will be required to take part in seven selection trials, after which the calculation of final average score (FAS) and merit points will be taken into consideration to select the team for the 2016 Games. The FAS will be the arithmetic total of six high scores divided by six.

Also, those who win medals in top international events like the World Championships, World Cups, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games will get merit or bonus points for their achievements. The merit points will be added to their final average score. This methodology will apply in all sections – rifle, pistol and shotgun events.

All shooters will be required to shoot in the 59th national champions to be held in November/December. The Olympic team will be finalised by the end of this year.

“The team for Rio will be decided as per rankings after the Final Average Score plus merit points have been added and the Final Score has been arrived at upon completion of the 7 selection scores,” the NRAI said in a release.

The NRAI said: “The first nine shooters in each event as per ranking on the day of start of first trial shall be eligible to participate in seven selection trials. There shall be no review of this criterion at any forum. The ranking would be determined on the basis of selection policy for selection of teams for international competitions.”

The first selection trials will be held in May comprising two full competition scores. The second set of trials will be held in July.

Target 2016

* Starting from May, shooters have to participate in seven selection trials.

* Bonus points for medals in international tournaments.

* Taking part at the year-end National Championships a must.

*Only top nine shooters in the rankings will make the cut for trials.