New Delhi, October 22, 2025: In a ceremony that beautifully bridged the worlds of elite sport and military discipline, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today formally conferred the gleaming insignia of the Honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army upon India’s golden boy, star javelin thrower and two-time Olympic medalist, Neeraj Chopra. The historic ‘pipping ceremony,’ held within the august precincts of South Block, was not just a formal military procedure but a powerful national endorsement of an athlete who has come to symbolise a new, confident India on the global stage.
The atmosphere in the room was charged with a palpable sense of pride and occasion. As Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh affixed the new rank badges to Neeraj Chopra’s uniform, it marked the culmination of a journey that began in the humble fields of Haryana and has now reached the highest echelons of national recognition. Interacting with the newly commissioned Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra and his beaming family members, the Raksha Mantri distilled the essence of the athlete’s appeal, describing him as an “epitome of perseverance, patriotism and the Indian spirit of striving for excellence.”
A Confluence of Two Worlds
The event was attended by the top brass of the Indian Army, including Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, and other senior officials, underscoring the significance the Armed Forces attach to this honour. For the uniformed personnel present, Chopra was not an outsider being brought in, but a comrade-in-arms being elevated. His connection with the Indian Army is deep-rooted and pre-dates his global fame. Enrolled in the Indian Army as a Naib Subedar in 2016, Chopra served with the 4 Rajputana Rifles, a regiment with a storied history of valour. It was during this formative period that the discipline, rigour, and structured support of the Army provided a crucial foundation for his raw talent.
“Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra embodies the highest ideals of discipline, dedication and national pride, serving as an inspiration to generations within the sporting fraternity and the Armed Forces alike,” said Shri Rajnath Singh, capturing the dual significance of the honour. His words highlighted a fundamental truth about Chopra’s success: his journey resonates equally in the athlete’s village and the army cantonment. The same discipline that drives a soldier to guard the nation’s borders is mirrored in the single-minded focus with which Chopra has trained to conquer the world’s athletic arenas.
From Khandra to the World: A Meteoric Rise
Born on December 24, 1997, in Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana, Neeraj Chopra’s story is now the stuff of national folklore. A young boy who took up javelin to shed weight transformed into a colossus who would redefine Indian athletics. His ascent, while appearing meteoric, has been built on a bedrock of relentless hard work, a trait honed by his army background.
The nation first truly took note of him during the 2016 South Asian Games, but it was on the world stage that he etched his name in history. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in 2021 due to the pandemic, became the site of a watershed moment for a billion-plus people. With a mighty throw of 87.58 metres, Neeraj Chopra did not just win a gold medal; he shattered a psychological barrier, becoming the first Indian athlete ever to win an Olympic Gold in a track and field event. The sight of him holding the tricolour aloft was a seminal moment that announced India’s arrival as a sporting power beyond its traditional strongholds.
But Chopra was not a one-medal wonder. He consistently built on that success, proving his Tokyo triumph was no fluke. In 2023, he became the World Athletics Champion, adding another glittering gold to his cabinet. At the Paris Olympics in 2024, under immense pressure as the defending champion, he displayed incredible nerve and skill to secure a Silver Medal, cementing his status as one of the most consistent performers in the world. His personal best throw of 90.23 metres, achieved earlier in 2025, stands as a monumental milestone in Indian sporting history, a figure that places him firmly among the javelin greats. His dominance is further evidenced by multiple Gold Medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and the prestigious Diamond League circuit.
The Prestige of an Honorary Commission
The Honorary commission in the Territorial Army, granted by the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, on April 16, 2025, is one of the nation’s most distinguished honours. It is not a ceremonial title bestowed lightly. It is reserved for individuals who have rendered exemplary service to the nation in their respective fields, and whose character and achievements can inspire the men and women in uniform. The Territorial Army, often called the ‘Citizens’ Army’, allows civilians to serve the nation in a military capacity without being full-time professional soldiers. By conferring this rank upon Chopra, the nation is acknowledging that his service, though on the sports field, is of immense value to national morale and prestige.
This honour places Chopra in a unique and revered club. He follows in the footsteps of other eminent Indians like cricketer Kapil Dev and athlete Milkha Singh, who were also granted honorary ranks. However, Chopra’s case is distinct because of his active prior service as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). This pipping ceremony was, in many ways, a homecoming and a promotion rolled into one.
A Man of Few Words, A Legacy of Many Deeds
Dressed in his immaculate uniform, the new Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary) cut a figure of quiet dignity and immense pride. In his characteristic humble style, he acknowledged the honour. “The Indian Army has been my family and my foundation. The discipline I learned here has been the cornerstone of my athletic career. To receive this rank is not just a personal honour, but a recognition of every athlete and every soldier who strives for excellence with the tricolour on their heart,” he stated, his words reflecting the synergy between his two identities.
His family, present at the ceremony, watched with visible emotion. For them, this was another proud chapter in a journey that has seen their son bring unparalleled glory to his village, his state, and his country. The Raksha Mantri’s personal interaction with them was a touching gesture, acknowledging the support system that has been instrumental in Chopra’s success.
A Symbol for a New Generation
The conferment of this rank transcends the individual achievement of Neeraj Chopra. It sends a powerful message to the youth of India. It demonstrates that excellence in any field, pursued with discipline and patriotic fervour, is considered a service to the nation. It blurs the artificial lines between different forms of national contribution, placing the soldier guarding the border and the athlete conquering the podium on the same continuum of national service.
For young athletes, Chopra is a tangible role model. For young soldiers and officers, he is a comrade whose discipline they share and whose success they celebrate as their own. He has become a living bridge, connecting the zeal of the sports field with the valour of the battlefield.
A Legacy Secured
Even before this military honour, Neeraj Chopra’s trophy cabinet held the nation’s top civilian and sporting awards – the Padma Shri, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, and the Arjuna Award. The addition of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal further underscores how the establishment views his contributions. The honorary Lieutenant Colonel rank is the latest, and perhaps most symbolic, feather in his cap.
As the ceremony concluded and Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra exchanged salutes with the Chief of Army Staff, it was clear that this was more than a photo opportunity. It was the formal anointment of a national icon into a new, enduring role. As he continues to prepare for future competitions, he will now do so not just as Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic champion, but as Lieutenant Colonel Neeraj Chopra, a leader and an inspiration in uniform. His javelin remains his weapon, the stadium his battlefield, and his continued success, a matter of national pride and military honour. The boy from Khandra has not just won medals; he has earned a rank, and in doing so, has solidified his place in the heart of the nation and the annals of its history.
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