The Indian Railways, a long-standing patron of Indian sports, has once again demonstrated its commitment to nurturing talent by awarding ‘Out-of-Turn Promotions’ to two of India’s cricketing stars, Renuka Singh Thakur and Sneh Rana. This well-deserved recognition comes in the wake of their stellar performances in the recent ICC Women’s One-Day Cricket World Cup 2025, a tournament where the Indian team achieved a historic triumph.
The promotion elevates both players to a Group ‘B’ Gazetted post of ‘Officer on Special Duty (Sports)’ in Level 8 of the Pay Matrix. This is a significant leap for the athletes, who previously served as Junior Clerk and CCTC (Commercial-cum-Ticket Clerk) respectively. The official communiqués from the Ministry of Railways, dated December 1, 2025, highlight that this is an acknowledgment of their crucial contributions to the national team’s success on the global stage.
The Railways recognised both players for their role in India’s victorious World Cup journey. Renuka Singh Thakur, the Himachal Express, was the pace spearhead, constantly providing early breakthroughs with her swing and maintaining a tight economy to apply pressure in the powerplay. She picked up 3 wickets in the tournament with an economy rate of 4.02 and best bowling figures of 2 for 25.
Meanwhile, the resilient all-rounder Sneh Rana was a critical component of the team’s balance, chipping in with timely wickets through her off-spin and scoring crucial, attacking runs lower down the order to bolster the total. Rana picked up 7 wickets throughout the tournament with best bowling figures of 2 for 32 at an economy rate of 5.67. She not only picked wickets for her side but also scored crucial runs for India whenever needed. Rana scored 99 runs in just 5 innings throughout the tournament at an average of 49.50, striking at 113.79 with a highest score of 33. Rana was phenomenal in both aspects of the game for India
For Renuka Singh Thakur, a fiery medium-pacer who consistently troubled the opposition with her swing and accuracy, this promotion from Junior Clerk at Northern Railway is a heartfelt recognition of her relentless dedication. Sharing the news on her social media, she expressed deep gratitude to the Ministry of Railways, stating that the honour “inspires me to work even harder” and acknowledging the Railways as one of the strongest supporters of sportspersons in India.
Similarly, for the dynamic all-rounder Sneh Rana, known for her resilient off-spin and handy batting down the order, the promotion from her CCTC post at Northern Railway is a perfect testament to her all-round impact. Her gratitude echoed Renuka’s sentiment, describing the Railways as “the best organisation to be employed in, as a sportsperson” and a source of motivation to always perform at her best.
This move sets a wonderful benchmark, ensuring that the hard work, sacrifices, and world-class performances of India’s sporting heroes are duly recognized and celebrated with tangible career progression. Both Renuka Singh Thakur and Sneh Rana will now continue their journey, balancing their demanding international cricket careers with a respected leadership role in the Indian Railways, serving as inspiration for countless aspiring athletes across the country.
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