New Delhi, Oct 22 : Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has been conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in recognition of his exceptional sporting achievements and service to the nation. The rank was formally presented during a pipping ceremony held at South Block, New Delhi, on Wednesday.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officiated the ceremony and hailed Lt Col (Honorary) Neeraj Chopra as “an epitome of perseverance, patriotism, and excellence, inspiring both the sporting fraternity and the Armed Forces.” The event was attended by senior Army officials and Chopra’s family members.
According to an official notification published in The Gazette of India, the President of India conferred the honorary rank under Para 31 of the Territorial Army Regulations, 1948, with effect from April 16, 2025. The notification was issued by the Department of Military Affairs on May 9, 2025.
Chopra, already serving as a Subedar in the Indian Army, is India’s first Olympic gold medallist in athletics, winning the javelin throw event at Tokyo 2020, and later securing a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
By joining the Territorial Army as an honorary officer, Chopra follows in the footsteps of other sportspersons such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Abhinav Bindra, who have received similar distinctions.
The Ministry of Defence stated that the conferment highlights the strong bond between the Armed Forces and India’s sporting community, underscoring how national excellence in any field reflects the spirit of service and dedication shared by soldiers and athletes alike.
