Overview

• Neeraj Chopra, a two-time Olympic medallist and reigning world champion, has been conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army.
• The honorary appointment officially took effect on April 16, 2025, and was announced in a notification issued by the Ministry of Defence on May 13.
• Chopra, who enlisted in the Indian Army in 2016, rose to the rank of Subedar Major by 2022 and has received numerous awards, including the Padma Shri and Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
• The Territorial Army, established in 1949, has a tradition of recognizing individuals for their contributions to nation-building and service, with previous honorees including cricketer MS Dhoni.
• Chopra’s achievements include a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and a gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.