The Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) reaffirmed their dominance in Indian women’s hockey, clinching the title at the 5th Hockey India Senior Women Inter-Department National Championship 2025 with a commanding 5–1 victory over Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) Women in the final held at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi.
In the bronze medal match earlier in the day, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) secured third place by defeating the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) 4–1, rounding off an event that showcased the depth and quality of India’s institutional women’s hockey.
True to their pedigree, Railways produced a clinical performance in the final fast, organized, and relentlessly attacking.
Their captain Navneet Kaur, one of India’s leading forwards, turned in a superb individual display, scoring a hat-trick (9’, 21’, 54’) that powered RSPB to their latest title.
From the opening whistle, Railways controlled possession and tempo. Their midfield, led by Nikki Pradhan and Monika Malik, dictated play through precise passing and sharp transitions, pinning IOCL deep into their half. Navneet opened the scoring in the 9th minute, capitalizing on a deflection near the goalmouth to put Railways ahead.
She doubled the lead in the 21st minute with a trademark finish a low flick past the goalkeeper following a penalty corner rebound.
After halftime, Salima Tete extended the lead in the 39th minute, showcasing her pace and composure with a fine solo effort. Two minutes later, Sangita Kumari joined the party, scoring in the 52nd minute to make it 4–0 as Railways’ precision overwhelmed their opponents.
Navneet completed her hat-trick in the 54th minute with another well-taken finish, sealing the contest long before the final whistle. IOCL’s Jyoti scored a consolation goal in the 60th minute, ensuring her side avoided a blank on the scoreboard but had to settle for the silver medal.
Champions’ Mentality and Experience Shine Through
For the Railways Sports Promotion Board, the triumph in New Delhi is another addition to their storied legacy.
Year after year, RSPB have set the benchmark for institutional hockey in India blending senior internationals with upcoming players and fostering a culture of sustained excellence.
Their experienced core featuring national team regulars like Navneet, Salima, and Sangita once again proved why they remain a cut above. The trio combined for all five goals in the final, displaying cohesion and clinical finishing under pressure.
Speaking after the win, team captain Navneet Kaur credited the team’s balance and unity.
“We came here with the goal of defending our title, and everyone played their role perfectly. The mix of experienced players and youngsters really worked well. The Inter-Department Championship is important because it gives all of us competitive match exposure outside the international calendar,” she said.
The win also reflects Railways’ deep bench strength, with players like Deepika, Reena Khokhar, and Udita providing defensive solidity throughout the tournament. Their ability to maintain structure even while rotating heavily between matches was a testament to strong coaching and discipline.
Indian Oil: Gallant but Outgunned
For Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. Women, the final was a difficult outing, but their journey to the title match remains noteworthy.
Backed by consistent performances in the group stage and a tight semifinal victory, IOCL entered the final with confidence. However, they struggled to contain Railways’ speed and attacking variety.
Midfielder Neha Goyal and goalkeeper Swati Singh worked tirelessly to stem the tide, while captain Jyoti’s late strike ensured the team finished their campaign on a fighting note.
Though outplayed in the final, IOCL’s run underlined their potential as one of the most competitive departmental sides emerging in Indian women’s hockey.
SAI Secure Bronze in Style
In the bronze medal playoff, the Sports Authority of India showcased attacking flair and depth, defeating Central Board of Direct Taxes 4–1.
Varitka Rawat led the charge with a well-earned brace (16’, 46’), while captain Aishwarya Chavan (39’) and Prini Kandir (41’) added one goal apiece.
For CBDT, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke pulled one back in the 44th minute, but SAI’s control and superior fitness kept them comfortably ahead. The result gave SAI a deserved podium finish and reflected the institution’s success in nurturing emerging national talent.
A Showcase of Institutional Strength
The Hockey India Senior Women Inter-Department National Championship continues to serve as a vital platform for elite competition beyond domestic and state-level tournaments. It allows national players to maintain match readiness and offers younger athletes a pathway to higher honors.
This year’s championship featured strong participation from departments such as Railways, IOCL, SAI, CBDT, Food Corporation of India, and Air India, ensuring high standards across all phases of the competition.
The final day’s performances marked by pace, skill, and tactical awareness underscored the rising professionalism in Indian women’s hockey. For Railways, it was another golden chapter; for others, it was a reminder of how close the competitive field is becoming.
As the curtains fall on the 2025 edition, the focus now shifts toward the upcoming National Games and Asian Championships, where several of these players will reunite under the Indian flag.
The intensity and quality witnessed at the Inter-Department Nationals reaffirm Hockey India’s growing depth especially in the women’s game, where the competition for national spots is now fiercer than ever.
For Railways, though, Saturday was all about celebration a dominant 5–1 win, a hat-trick from their star forward, and another championship trophy for the cabinet.
Consistency breeds champions, and in Indian women’s hockey, the Railways Sports Promotion Board continues to set the gold standard.
