SRINAGAR: Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, who briefly became a social-media “national crush” while serving as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu, has taken premature retirement from the Indian Army after 12 years of service, citing family commitments.
Sambyal, a Jammu resident from a Dogra Rajput family with a strong military tradition, described the decision as one of the most difficult of his life. According to The Tribune, he spent nearly four months contemplating the move before finally announcing it.
“This is the hardest decision of my life. I have to take care of some family commitments. I never thought that I would have to take this call. It was painful. It took me a lot of time to finally announce my decision,” Sambyal said.
His military journey began at Sainik School Kapurthala in Punjab. He cleared the UPSC-conducted National Defence Academy examination in 2013, went through the Services Selection Board process and joined the 133rd NDA Course.
After three years at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune, Sambyal spent another year at the Indian Military Academy before being commissioned as an Army officer.
He first gained wider public attention in 2021 when he led the Jat Regiment contingent at the Republic Day parade. The contingent won the Best Marching Contingent Trophy, while photographs of Sambyal from the parade were widely circulated on social media.
He subsequently volunteered for the Special Forces and, after completing the demanding selection process, was selected for 4 Para Special Forces, popularly known as the Dagger Regiment. He also earned the Balidan Badge associated with officers who complete the Special Forces selection and training.
The most visible phase of his military career came in 2024-25 when he was appointed ADC to President Murmu. The position required him to accompany the President during official engagements and visits, besides handling protocol, coordination and other sensitive responsibilities.
His appearances alongside the President brought him an unusual level of public attention for a serving military officer. Photographs and videos of Sambyal accompanying Murmu circulated extensively on social media, including one showing him holding an umbrella over the President during rain. Another video, in which he offered her a handkerchief during an emotional moment, also went viral.
After completing his tenure as ADC, Sambyal returned to Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 21, 2026, where he met President Murmu. The official digital photo library of Rashtrapati Bhavan now identifies him as a former ADC and retired officer.
Following the meeting, Sambyal expressed gratitude for the President’s guidance and blessings, which he said had been extremely important to him.
His decision to leave the Army marks a major departure from a career he had pursued since childhood.
Sambyal has said that wearing the Army uniform had been his childhood dream and that he had never imagined having to take it off. However, family circumstances eventually prompted him to reconsider his career.
He said his family supported his decision and that he remained satisfied with what he had accomplished during his years in uniform.
Sambyal has already begun preparing for his next phase, though he has not disclosed details of the venture he is working on.
“I am building a model, a part of it is to inspire young minds. I will work for the growth of the country and we will grow with that. I am working on it,” he said.
For the Jammu-born officer, the next chapter will therefore move away from the Army, but he says it will retain a central element of his public life so far: inspiring young people and contributing to the country’s growth.
