Retired Indian Army officer Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal has become the centre of an online debate after launching a paid subscription on his Instagram account, with some social media users questioning whether a former Army officer should monetise his online following.
The subscription reportedly costs ₹180 and has attracted around 1,200 subscribers. Members are offered benefits such as exclusive content, subscriber badges, early access to posts and reels, and opportunities to interact with Sambyal through “ask-me-anything” sessions.
The issue gained attention after an X user criticised the move and described it as “a shame and a downgrade for the Army.” The comment triggered a wider discussion, with some users questioning whether a former officer should use the popularity gained during his military career to earn through social media.
However, many others came out in support of Sambyal, arguing that his decision to create paid content after retirement should not be used to judge his military service.
Retired Indian Army officer Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal has become the centre of an online debate after launching a paid subscription on his Instagram account, with some social media users questioning whether a former Army officer should monetise his online following.
The subscription reportedly costs ₹180 and has attracted around 1,200 subscribers. Members are offered benefits such as exclusive content, subscriber badges, early access to posts and reels, and opportunities to interact with Sambyal through “ask-me-anything” sessions.
The issue gained attention after an X user criticised the move and described it as “a shame and a downgrade for the Army.” The comment triggered a wider discussion, with some users questioning whether a former officer should use the popularity gained during his military career to earn through social media.
However, many others came out in support of Sambyal, arguing that his decision to create paid content after retirement should not be used to judge his military service.
Sambyal himself responded to the criticism with a short message: “Some see a downgrade. A soldier sees another way to serve.”
Supporters pointed out that Sambyal is now retired from the Indian Army and is free to choose his profession and source of income like any other citizen. They argued that charging followers for optional exclusive content does not reduce the value of his years of service to the country.
Sambyal has had a distinguished military career. He cleared the NDA examination and underwent training at the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy before joining the Indian Army.
He served with the Jat Regiment and led its contingent during the 2021 Republic Day Parade, when the regiment won the Best Marching Contingent Trophy. He later volunteered for 4 Para (Special Forces) and earned the coveted Balidaan Badge.
In March 2023, Sambyal was selected to serve as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu, a prestigious appointment that brought him considerable public attention. His appearances alongside the President also made him a recognisable face on social media.
Sambyal took premature retirement from the Army in August 2026. He has previously described leaving the military as one of the most difficult decisions of his life, saying that family circumstances and years spent away from home played a role in his decision.
Before leaving the service, he also called on President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and expressed gratitude for the guidance and experience he received during his tenure as ADC.
The controversy has also raised a larger question about how retired military personnel should be viewed when they begin second careers.
Former officers have entered businesses, corporate jobs, education, coaching, media and several other professions after leaving the Armed Forces. Social media has now become another platform through which individuals can build businesses, provide mentorship and earn from their expertise and audience.
There is nothing unusual about content creators offering paid subscriptions for additional material. Instagram itself provides the subscription feature, allowing followers to voluntarily pay creators for exclusive content. Those who do not wish to subscribe can simply continue following the publicly available content.
For that reason, judging Sambyal’s entire military career because he charges ₹180 for optional online content appears unfair.
A soldier does not lose the right to earn a living after taking off the uniform. Nor does choosing an unconventional second career erase the years spent serving the country.
Criticism would be understandable if a retired officer disclosed sensitive military information, falsely represented himself as a serving officer or used the Armed Forces to mislead people commercially. But the current debate is primarily about Sambyal charging for exclusive social media content.
His decision may not appeal to everyone, and people are free to decide whether the subscription offers enough value to justify paying for it. But that is ultimately a choice between a creator and his subscribers.
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal’s ₹180 Instagram subscription can be debated as a digital product. His twelve years in uniform, however, should be judged on his service record — not on a subscription button he chose to activate after retirement.
Supporters pointed out that Sambyal is now retired from the Indian Army and is free to choose his profession and source of income like any other citizen. They argued that charging followers for optional exclusive content does not reduce the value of his years of service to the country.
Sambyal has had a distinguished military career. He cleared the NDA examination and underwent training at the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy before joining the Indian Army.
He served with the Jat Regiment and led its contingent during the 2021 Republic Day Parade, when the regiment won the Best Marching Contingent Trophy. He later volunteered for 4 Para (Special Forces) and earned the coveted Balidaan Badge.
In March 2023, Sambyal was selected to serve as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu, a prestigious appointment that brought him considerable public attention. His appearances alongside the President also made him a recognisable face on social media.
Sambyal took premature retirement from the Army in August 2026. He has previously described leaving the military as one of the most difficult decisions of his life, saying that family circumstances and years spent away from home played a role in his decision.
Before leaving the service, he also called on President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and expressed gratitude for the guidance and experience he received during his tenure as ADC.
The controversy has also raised a larger question about how retired military personnel should be viewed when they begin second careers.
Former officers have entered businesses, corporate jobs, education, coaching, media and several other professions after leaving the Armed Forces. Social media has now become another platform through which individuals can build businesses, provide mentorship and earn from their expertise and audience.
There is nothing unusual about content creators offering paid subscriptions for additional material. Instagram itself provides the subscription feature, allowing followers to voluntarily pay creators for exclusive content. Those who do not wish to subscribe can simply continue following the publicly available content.
For that reason, judging Sambyal’s entire military career because he charges ₹180 for optional online content appears unfair.
A soldier does not lose the right to earn a living after taking off the uniform. Nor does choosing an unconventional second career erase the years spent serving the country.
Criticism would be understandable if a retired officer disclosed sensitive military information, falsely represented himself as a serving officer or used the Armed Forces to mislead people commercially. But the current debate is primarily about Sambyal charging for exclusive social media content.
His decision may not appeal to everyone, and people are free to decide whether the subscription offers enough value to justify paying for it. But that is ultimately a choice between a creator and his subscribers.
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal’s ₹180 Instagram subscription can be debated as a digital product. His twelve years in uniform, however, should be judged on his service record not on a subscription button he chose to activate after retirement.
You can follow Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal on instagram here.
