New Delhi: Few military officers become known to the public simply by standing quietly in the background. Yet Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal did just that. As part of President Droupadi Murmu’s official engagements, he was frequently seen accompanying her at formal ceremonies, public events and international visits. His disciplined presence, understated personality and distinctive military demeanour soon caught the attention of people online, turning an otherwise low-profile Army officer into a familiar and widely discussed face on social media.
Now, the officer who was widely described online as the internet’s “national crush” has moved on from the Indian Army.
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, a former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu, has taken premature retirement after around 12 years of military service. His departure became public after the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s official digital photo library listed him as a retired former ADC.
Following his retirement, Sambyal met President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 21, 2026. Photographs from the meeting subsequently attracted widespread attention online. In an Instagram post, the former officer described the meeting as an opportunity to express his gratitude to the President for her guidance and blessings.
From a Military Family to the Indian Army
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal comes from a Dogra Rajput family with deep-rooted military traditions. The available information identifies his roots with Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir.
His journey towards the armed forces reportedly began with a childhood ambition of wearing the Indian Army uniform. He completed his early schooling at Sainik School Kapurthala, where he developed the foundations of discipline, leadership and military life.
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His entry into the officer-training pipeline began with the National Defence Academy. Sambyal cleared the NDA examination in 2013 and joined the 133rd NDA course in 2014.
He completed his graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Affairs in 2017. In the same year, he joined the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, where he pursued Military Studies and Defence Management before being commissioned into the Indian Army.
Beginning His Military Career With the Jat Regiment
After being commissioned into the Indian Army, Sambyal’s initial posting was with the Jat Regiment, one of the Army’s historic infantry regiments.
His career gained early national visibility in 2021, when, as a Captain, he led the Jat Regiment’s marching contingent at the Republic Day Parade.
The contingent went on to win the prestigious Best Marching Contingent Trophy. The award added an important milestone to the young officer’s career and brought him into the public eye even before his later assignment at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Served With Elite 4 Para Special Forces
Sambyal’s military career also included service with the elite 4 Para Special Forces, popularly known as the “Daggers”.
According to the information provided, he volunteered for and successfully completed the probation required to join the Special Forces unit. He subsequently earned the Balidaan Badge, a highly respected distinction associated with India’s Special Forces.
His stint with 4 Para added a Special Forces dimension to a career that had already included leadership of a Republic Day marching contingent and later a high-profile assignment as an ADC to the President.
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal as President Murmu’s ADC
Sambyal was selected for one of the armed forces’ most prestigious and discreet assignments — serving as an Aide-de-Camp to the President of India.
According to the information available from his LinkedIn profile, he was selected for the President’s ADC assignment in March 2023.
As an ADC to President Droupadi Murmu, Sambyal served at Rashtrapati Bhavan and was closely involved in the President’s official engagements. The role involved protocol management, coordination of schedules and official programmes, ceremonies and engagements involving the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
His own professional profile described his experience as involving high-pressure operations, strategic planning, protocol management, executive security and itinerary coordination for national and international engagements.
The profile also noted his work with the Prime Minister’s Office, foreign dignitaries and central ministries, as well as his involvement in official diplomatic tours across eight countries. His listed areas of expertise included strategic leadership, risk and crisis management, tactical communication and operational planning.
How the Army Officer Became a Social Media Sensation
Although the ADC position itself is largely associated with protocol, discipline and discretion, Sambyal gradually became a recognisable face on social media.
Images and videos from President Murmu’s official engagements frequently showed him accompanying the President. Some candid moments, in particular, attracted significant attention across platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.
One of the moments that contributed to his online popularity involved Sambyal shielding President Murmu with an umbrella during a sudden downpour. Other images showed him assisting the President during emotionally intense national award ceremonies and official events.
These seemingly small gestures, combined with his military bearing and calm demeanour, helped turn the relatively unknown Army officer into a social media personality.
He was subsequently described by sections of the online audience as the internet’s “national crush”.
Recognition During His Military Service
Beyond his viral popularity, Sambyal’s professional profile highlighted several recognitions received during his military career.
He was described as having received the Presidential Service Badge as well as Commendation Cards from both the Chief and Vice Chief of Army Staff.
His career thus combined operational and ceremonial responsibilities, Special Forces service, leadership of a Republic Day contingent and eventually one of the most visible protocol assignments in the country — serving as an ADC to the President.
Why Did Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal Take Premature Retirement?
After approximately 12 years in the Indian Army, Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal decided to leave the service through premature retirement.
The available material indicates that personal and family circumstances were behind his decision. A report cited an Instagram Live interaction in which Sambyal spoke about how situations and incidents in a person’s life can lead to major changes.
The same account indicated that there were no immediate plans for marriage, despite speculation that circulated online following his retirement.
The exact details of his personal circumstances have not been publicly elaborated in the information available, and his decision marks a transition away from a military career that had taken him from the Jat Regiment and Special Forces to the President’s ADC appointment.
Farewell Meeting With President Murmu
After formally leaving the Army and his assignment as ADC, Sambyal met President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 21, 2026.
Photographs from the meeting quickly went viral, bringing the former ADC back into the spotlight.
The meeting also appeared to mark a personal farewell between the former officer and the President he had served closely. Sambyal used the occasion to express his gratitude for President Murmu’s guidance and blessings during his tenure.
What Is Major Sambyal Doing After Retirement?
Following his retirement, Sambyal has continued to maintain a public presence through digital platforms.
The information available states that he has been engaging with his substantial online following through his own YouTube space and live interactive sessions.
His transition into the digital space comes after a period in which social media had already played an unusual role in his public profile. While he became popular online because of his appearances as President Murmu’s ADC, he is now engaging directly with the audience that followed his military journey.
A 12-Year Journey From Lieutenant to President’s ADC
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal’s military journey spanned roughly 12 years, taking him through different stages of an Army officer’s career — from Lieutenant and Captain to Major and eventually an appointment as Aide-de-Camp to the President.
His professional trajectory included the Jat Regiment, leadership at the Republic Day Parade, service with 4 Para Special Forces and an assignment at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
His journey also illustrates how an officer working in one of the country’s most discreet military-protocol assignments unexpectedly became a widely recognised public figure.
For Sambyal, however, the social-media fame came alongside a career built around military discipline and service. His premature retirement in August 2026 now marks the end of that chapter, even as his online presence continues to attract attention.
From a young man who dreamed of wearing the Army uniform to an officer who served alongside the President of India, Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal leaves the Army after 12 years with a career marked by ceremonial distinction, elite military training and one of the country’s most prestigious ADC assignments.
