In a distinguished ceremony held today, Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra was formally conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army, recognizing his exemplary contributions to both athletics and national service. The pipping ceremony, attended by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, marked a significant milestone in Chopraโs multifaceted career as a soldier-athlete.
The appointment, documented in The Gazette of India, took effect on April 16, 2025, elevating Chopra from his prior rank of Subedar Major in the Territorial Army. Chopraโs association with the Indian Army dates back to August 26, 2016, when he enlisted as a Naib Subedar, a junior commissioned officer.
His subsequent promotions reflect a trajectory intertwined with sporting excellence: he advanced to Subedar in 2021, coinciding with his receipt of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Indiaโs highest sporting honor. In 2022, following his historic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Chopra was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medalโthe Indian Armed Forcesโ highest peacetime commendationโand promoted to Subedar Major, alongside the conferment of the Padma Shri, the nationโs fourth-highest civilian award.
At 27 years old, the Haryana-born javelin thrower from Khandra village near Panipat has solidified his status as a global icon. Chopraโs achievements include the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold, a silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the 2023 World Athletics Championships gold, establishing him as the reigning world champion. Earlier this year, he was recognized with the Arjuna Award in 2018 for his athletic prowess.
This honorary rank aligns him with an elite cadre of Indian sportspersons honored by the armed forces, including cricketers MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev, who hold similar ranks in the Territorial Army, and shooter Abhinav Bindra, a fellow Lieutenant Colonel.
The Territorial Army, established in 1949 as a volunteer force supporting the regular Indian Army in wartime, disaster relief, and nation-building efforts, integrates such distinguished civilians to inspire youth and foster discipline. Chopraโs elevation underscores the synergy between sports and military values, emphasizing resilience and national pride.
Reflecting on the occasion, sources close to the event highlighted Chopraโs role as a motivational figure for aspiring athletes and soldiers alike. Despite a recent eighth-place finish at the World Athletics Championshipsโattributed to back issuesโChopra remains focused on upcoming competitions, including the ORLEN Janusz Kusociลski Memorial in Poland on May 23, 2026. His journey from rural roots to international acclaim continues to embody the spirit of perseverance and excellence.
