Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal is a retired officer of the Indian Army who served with 4 Para (Special Forces) and as Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu from March 2023 to August 2026. He led the Jat Regiment contingent at the 2021 Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, which won the Best Marching Contingent Trophy.
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Early life and education
Sambyal comes from Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir, from a Dogra Rajput family with a military tradition. He completed his primary and secondary schooling at Sainik School Kapurthala in Punjab. He cleared the National Defence Academy (NDA) examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission in 2013 and joined the 133rd NDA Course at Khadakwasla, Pune, training there from 2014 to 2017. During his time at the NDA he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Affairs, conferred by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, which handles the academic curriculum and degree certification for NDA cadets; his coursework focused on International Affairs, History, and Geography. He then underwent pre-commission training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun from 2017 to 2018, completing a program in Military Studies and Defence Management.
Military career
Sambyal was commissioned into the Indian Army as a Lieutenant in 2018 and joined the Jat Regiment. In January 2021, as a Captain, he led the Jat Regiment contingent at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, and the contingent won the Best Marching Contingent Trophy. He later volunteered for 4 Para (Special Forces), known as the "Daggers", and earned the Balidaan Badge after qualifying for service with the unit. His commissioned service ran from 2018 to August 2026, about eight years, following four years of officer training at the NDA and the IMA from 2014 to 2018.
ADC tenure
In March 2023, Sambyal was appointed Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu. In the role he handled protocol and coordination and accompanied the President during official ceremonies, programmes and engagements at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He served in the post for about three years, until August 2026. His appearances beside the President brought him a large following on social media, where he was widely described by the unofficial label "national crush".
Retirement and later work
Sambyal took premature retirement from the Indian Army in August 2026. He described the decision as the hardest of his life, said he had thought about it for nearly four months, and cited family commitments as the reason. After leaving the ADC post, he met President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 21 August 2026 and thanked her for her guidance. Major Navya Shekhawat succeeded him as the President's ADC, becoming the first woman Army officer to hold the post. Sambyal has said he wants to work on efforts that inspire young people and contribute to national development. In October 2026 he partnered with the Indian streetwear label Bonkers Corner for a collection titled "MAJ RISHABH (RETD.) X BONKERS". Sambyal is unmarried; speaking on Raj Shamani's podcast in September 2026, he said officers serving as ADCs to the President do not marry during the posting, and described staying away from family during those years as the biggest sacrifice of the role.
Achievements
Best Marching Contingent Trophy, Republic Day Parade 2021, as commander of the Jat Regiment contingent. Balidaan Badge, 4 Para (Special Forces). Aide-de-Camp to the President of India, March 2023 to August 2026.
Career timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Cleared the UPSC NDA examination |
| 2014 | Joined the 133rd NDA Course |
| 2017 | Completed NDA training |
| 2018 | Commissioned into the Jat Regiment |
| 2021 | Led the Jat Regiment contingent at the Republic Day Parade |
| 2023 | Appointed ADC to President Droupadi Murmu |
| 2026 | Premature retirement in August |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal?
A retired Indian Army officer who served with 4 Para (Special Forces) and as Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu from March 2023 to August 2026.
Is Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal still serving in the Army?
No. He took premature retirement in August 2026.
Which units did he serve with?
The Jat Regiment, then 4 Para (Special Forces).
What did he do at the 2021 Republic Day Parade?
As a Captain, he led the Jat Regiment contingent, which won the Best Marching Contingent Trophy.
When was he commissioned?
In 2018, after training at the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy.
Is Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal married?
No. He has said he is unmarried, and that ADCs do not marry during the posting.
Why did he retire early?
He cited family commitments, and called the decision the hardest of his life.
