Clarification on validity of sports achievement certificates of earlier recognized National Sports Federations (NSFs): Railway Board RBE No. 86/2025

Clarification on validity of sports achievement certificates of earlier recognized National Sports Federations (NSFs), whose current status of renewal not communicated by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYA&S): Railway Board RBE No. 86/2025 Clarification/Corrigendum No. 136 dated 22.08.2025

RBE No. 86/2025
Clarification /Corrigendum No.136

भारत सरकार/GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
रेल मंत्रालय/MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(रेलवे बोर्ड/RAILWAY BOARD)

No. 2025/E(Sports)/04/10 (NSF)

New Delhi 22.08.2025

The General Managers (P),
All Zonal Railways and Production and other units.

Sub: Clarification on validity of sports achievement certificates of earlier recognized National Sports Federations (NSFs), whose current status of renewal not communicated by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYA&S).

Indian Railways recruits outstanding sportspersons under the sports quota based on their performance in recognized national and international championships/events. For recruitments, the National championships/events must have been organized under the aegis of recognized bodies such as the National Sports Federations (NSFs), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Association of Indian Universities (ATU) or the Indian Olympic Association (TOA). Such recognition of NSFs is granted and renewed annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYA&S).

2. In recent years, delays in annual renewal of recognition of NSFs by MoYA&S have resulted in uncertainty about validity of the championships. As Indian Railways only consider achievements of the current and preceding two financial years for recruitment, the unclear recognition status of certain NSFs during this period has made it challenging for recruiting agencies to determine the eligibility of candidates.

3. In order to remove ambiguity, bring clarity and ensure no loss to the current champion athletes, the Competent Authority has decided as under:

(a) The federation, last recognized by MoYA&S as NSF for a game, will be deemed recognized by Indian Railways, for the purpose of recruitment and other establishment matters related to sportspersons, till the time an official communication is received regarding its de-recognition / suspension / withdrawal of recognition or till the grant of recognition to a new NSF for the same game discipline. After receiving the information regarding de-recognition / suspension / withdrawal of recognition of an NSF or grant of recognition to a new NSF, the certificates issued by the earlier NSF for the events conducted by them after the date of issue of such communication by MoYA&S, will not be considered valid for recruitment and other establishment purposes.

(b) However, in case if the de-recognition / suspension / withdrawal of recognition of NSF of a game discipline or grant of recognition of the new NSF for the same game discipline has been done from a retrospective date by MoYA&S:

(i) The certificates issued by the erstwhile NSF for the National events/championships conducted under the aegis of that NSF during the intervening period will be considered valid for the purpose of granting incentive increments, out of turn Promotions (OTPs) etc.

(ii) In case of recruitments,

1. 1. 1. The recruitments done will be considered as valid even after receipt of such communication from MoYA&5, if following stage has been completed :
         1. Against Talent Scouting, the offer of appointment has been issued to the candidates.
         2. Against Open Advertisement, the final panel of selected candidates has been published.
      2. In cases where the above stages have not been completed, the recruitment process will be stopped with immediate effect and the actions taken so far in the recruitment like trials, medical etc. would stand null and void for the ongoing recruitment cycle in that game discipline.

(c) Also, in cases of international sports events if a sportsperson has represented the country with the sanction of Government/Sports Authority of India in the event, then his/her achievement shall be considered for recruitment/ incentives irrespective of the status of recognition of NSF of that sports discipline.

Past cases decided otherwise will not be opened. Zonal Railways/Production and other Units may take necessary action accordingly.

(Pawan Kumar)
Dy Director-II/ Estr.(Sports)

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