They started in 1984 for the Olympic games and 1966/1970 for the World Championship games.
See the link below
Gagan Narang from India won Bronze in 10 m air rifle shooting at Olympics 2012.
The Olympic air pistol and air rifle events use a .177 caliber pellet. The biathlon (skiing and shooting) uses a .22 caliber rim fire rifle.
Niccolo CamprianiItaly (ITA)
Gagan NarangIndia (IND)
Yi Siling (CHN)
Sylwia Bogacka (POL)
Yu Dan (CHN)
Alin George MoldoveanuRomania (ROU)
It is illegal.
India won one gold medal at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, that by Abhinav Bindra in men's 10 meter air rifle shooting.
Abhinav Bindra of India
Abhinav Bindra from India won the gold for the 10 Meter air Rifle event at the 2008 Olympics.