No. AIRF/413
Dated: 29.07.2026

To
The Executive Director (RSPB)
Railway Board
Rail Bhawan
New Delhi

Sub:– Request for extending promotional benefits to Commonwealth Games and Asian Games Medal Winners on the principle of parity and recognition of international sporting achievements.

Ref:– 1. Railway Board’s letter No. 2018/E(Sports)/4(3)/4/Policy dated 17.08.2018. 2. AIRF’s letter No. AIRF/413 dated 12.08.2024.

Dear Sir,

The Railway Board has, under its existing sports policy, provided for out-of-turn promotion and other career incentives to outstanding Railway sportspersons and coaches for exceptional performances in major international sporting events. These provisions rightly acknowledge and reward achievements that bring distinction to the country and enhance the prestige of the Indian Railways.

AIRF has received a representation from former members of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, most of whom are Railway employees and recipients of the prestigious Arjuna Award, seeking urgent and sympathetic consideration for extending appropriate promotional benefits to Railway sportspersons who have won medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

The issue assumes particular significance in view of the Railway Board’s clarification dated 25.04.2017, whereby the benefit of out-of-turn promotion was extended even to sportspersons representing India in the Olympic Games who secure at least the 4th position. The policy also provides for promotion to a higher grade or, where such promotion is not feasible, grant of special increments. Further, Railway sportspersons who have received prestigious national sports awards, such as the Padma Awards, Arjuna Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, are also eligible for appropriate career incentives under the extant provisions.

While these progressive measures rightly recognise the exceptional achievements of Olympians, an apparent disparity remains in respect of sportspersons who have actually won medals for India at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Such athletes have also brought immense honour and international recognition to the Nation and the Indian Railways through their outstanding performances.

It may be appreciated that winning a medal at the Asian Games or Commonwealth Games is an extraordinary sporting achievement, requiring years of dedicated service, rigorous training and sustained excellence against the best athletes from across Asia and the Commonwealth. The achievement of the representatives who were members of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team that won the Gold Medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the Silver Medal at the 1998 Asian Games is particularly noteworthy. Even after more than two decades, these achievements remain among the finest milestones in the history of Indian Women’s Hockey. The fact that the Indian Women’s Hockey Team has not won another Commonwealth Games Gold Medal since 2002 further underlines the exceptional and historic nature of their accomplishment.

In this context, if a 4th-place finish at the Olympic Games is considered deserving of out-of-turn promotion, it would be both fair and appropriate to extend similar promotional recognition to sportspersons who have secured medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. The principle of equality and fairness warrants that similarly placed international achievers should receive equitable treatment, irrespective of the particular premier multi-sport event in which the achievement has been secured.

AIRF, therefore, earnestly urges the Railway Board to consider the matter sympathetically and formulate suitable provisions to extend promotional benefits, including advancement to the Sports Officer cadre or equivalent higher posts, to such distinguished sportspersons in recognition of their outstanding international achievements, long and dedicated service to the Railways, and continued contribution to Indian sports. The representation received from the concerned sportspersons is enclosed for kind perusal and sympathetic consideration.

In view of the above, we request your kind intervention and prompt action on the following:

  1. Extend the benefit of out-of-turn promotion/promotion to appropriate higher posts, including Sports Officer or equivalent positions, to Railway sportspersons who have won medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
  2. Remove the existing disparity in promotional benefits between Olympians and Asian Games/Commonwealth Games medal winners by providing equitable recognition for comparable international achievements.
  3. Consider the cases of these distinguished sportspersons sympathetically, keeping in view their international achievements, prestigious sports awards, long and dedicated service to the Railways, and contribution to the advancement of Indian sports.

AIRF firmly believes that a favourable decision in the matter would not only remove the existing anomaly and provide due recognition to these accomplished sportspersons but would also serve as a significant morale booster for present and future Railway sportspersons representing the country at the highest international level.

We, therefore, request your kind intervention and favourable consideration for an early and positive resolution of the matter.

An early action in the matter will be highly appreciated.

DA: As above

Copy to:
PED (IR), Railway Board, New Delhi – for necessary action please.

Yours faithfully,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary