Indians For Guns

According to Advocate Awadhesh Kumar it is not.

"The air weapons were exempted vide Notification No.GSR 991 dated 13.7.1962 as per S.
No. 3 of Schedule II of the said notification. The said entry still exists and has not been
withdrawn by the Central Government in the Ministry of Home Affairs. Since the
exemption under section 41 of the Arms Act, 1959 is still being continued; the provisions
contained in the Arms Rules, 2016 will have no consequential effects till the withdrawal of
the said exemption contained in the said notification."

Dear mate,
Really the RTI reply letter posted by you useful for the reference

He is correct! So long as your air rifle/ air gun/ air pistol complies with the deal wood test, it is exempted. That said, due to the muddied waters, please prepare yourself mentally for a legal battle, if and when the authorities decide to take you up on this issue...

Let's not forget, we live in India and they like nothing better than to hassle citizens!

Cheers!
Abhijeet

Only 2 weapons are allowed per person so why waste your licence on .22 break barrels air rifle or even a PCP for that matter you can always get a .22lr