Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, President's former ADC, retires at 30

Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, who served as Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu, has announced his premature retirement from the Indian Army at the age of 30, closing a 12-year career that took him from the National Defence Academy to one of the most discreet posts in the armed forces.

Sambyal's decision has drawn wide attention, partly because of the public profile he acquired as a "national crush" and partly because of the unusual trajectory of his service.

From NDA to the President's office

He cleared the National Defence Academy examination in 2013 and joined the 133rd NDA course in 2014, earning a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Affairs in 2017. That same year he entered the Indian Military Academy, where he studied Military Studies and Defence Management.

Commissioned into the Army, he rose through the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain to Major. He served with the elite 4 Para Special Forces, known as the "Daggers", and earned the Balidaan Badge — an honour attained by only a small fraction of volunteers.

In 2021, he led the Jat Regiment's contingent at the Republic Day Parade, which won the Best Marching Contingent Trophy. He was selected for the post of President's ADC in March 2023.

Sambyal comes from a Dogra Rajput family of Jammu and Kashmir with roots in military tradition.

Reason for leaving

He attributed his premature retirement to personal and family reasons, saying in an Instagram Live video that there are situations and instances in everyone's life that change it forever. He indicated there were no immediate marriage plans.

The duties of a President's ADC

Speaking on a podcast, Sambyal described the vigilance his assignment demanded. He explained why no one is permitted to touch the President's feet or shake her hand, noting that the intentions of an individual cannot be known. He said he was even careful about the glass from which she would drink, since it was impossible to know who had handled it or whether something had been placed in it.

He added that an area extending up to a kilometre around the President is kept sanitised, with no arms, metal or other dangerous materials allowed.

His everyday responsibilities, he said, covered everything the President required, official or unofficial. If the President wished to speak to the Prime Minister, his office would arrange the call before she spoke.

Recalling his first meeting with President Murmu, Sambyal said it felt as though his mother was standing in front of him.