Kumar Bahukhandi
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal’s years as Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu made him a familiar face across India, but behind the social-media popularity lies a career spanning the Jat Regiment, Special Forces and ceremonial duties at the highest level of the Republic. (Photo: Social Media)
From the Republic Day parade and 4 Para Special Forces to serving President Droupadi Murmu, Sambyal’s military journey attracted attention far beyond the ceremonial corridors of Rashtrapati Bhavan
Key Highlights
- Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal has opted for premature retirement after approximately 12 years associated with military training and service.
- He studied at Sainik School Kapurthala before training at the NDA and IMA.
- Sambyal was commissioned into the Jat Regiment and subsequently served with 4 Para Special Forces.
- He led the Jat Regiment contingent at the 2021 Republic Day Parade.
- His appointment as ADC to President Droupadi Murmu brought him into regular public view.
- Viral photographs and videos led social-media users to dub him India’s “National Crush.”
- He is now moving towards a civilian career after leaving the Army for personal and family considerations.
For millions of social-media users, Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal became familiar as the impeccably turned-out Army officer frequently seen a step behind President Droupadi Murmu. His quiet presence at official ceremonies, attentiveness towards the President and composed military bearing unexpectedly turned him into an internet favourite.
The description “National Crush” followed.
But behind the viral photographs and reels lies a military journey far more significant than the social-media label — one that took Sambyal from a Sainik School to the National Defence Academy, the Indian Military Academy, the Republic Day parade, an elite Special Forces unit and eventually the President’s staff.
Now, that chapter has closed. At around 30, Sambyal has opted for premature retirement after approximately 12 years associated with military training and service, citing personal and family considerations.
His decision is striking because it comes when his public recognition is arguably at its highest.
From Samba to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Sambyal comes from the Samba region of Jammu and Kashmir, an area where proximity to the international border has made the presence of the armed forces part of everyday consciousness.
His journey towards the uniform began early. He studied at Sainik School Kapurthala before making his way through the highly competitive selection and training system that produces officers for India’s armed forces.
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal during his years in uniform. His military journey included service with the Jat Regiment and 4 Para Special Forces before his appointment as Aide-de-Camp to the President of India. (Photo: Social Media)
Training at the National Defence Academy was followed by the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, from where the journey moved from military education to active service.
He was commissioned into the Jat Regiment and subsequently served with 4 Para (Special Forces).
His career had already produced a nationally visible moment before he became associated with Rashtrapati Bhavan. As a Captain, Sambyal led the Jat Regiment contingent at the 2021 Republic Day Parade, when the contingent was adjudged the Best Marching Contingent among the three services.
It was an achievement based on the very qualities that would later make him so noticeable during presidential assignments — precision, discipline and military bearing.
The Assignment That Made Him a Familiar Face
Sambyal’s appointment as Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu placed him in an entirely different environment.
An ADC is visible, but celebrity is not part of the job. The officer assists the President through an exacting schedule of ceremonial, official and protocol responsibilities where discretion matters as much as appearance.
Yet cameras inevitably capture those standing close to the Head of State.
Sambyal began appearing regularly in photographs and television footage from Rashtrapati Bhavan, Republic Day functions, official visits and other presidential engagements.
Then social media did what social media does.
Short clips began circulating. Users noticed the tall Army officer accompanying the President. Photographs were shared, reels multiplied and comments followed.
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal during his tenure as Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu, a prestigious assignment that also brought the Army officer unexpected nationwide attention on social media. (Photo: Social Media)
The “National Crush” tag was born.
What made the attention unusual was that Sambyal had done virtually nothing to seek it. He was not appearing before cameras as an entertainer, influencer or public personality. He was simply performing his duty.
Small moments attracted particularly strong reactions — holding an umbrella over the President during rain, assisting her during engagements or remaining watchfully nearby as she interacted with guests and children.
For online audiences, those moments humanised a ceremonial position that many people had previously barely noticed.
But reducing Sambyal’s story to his appearance would overlook the considerably harder journey behind the uniform.
Special Forces service, ceremonial command and selection for duty with the President represent very different demands upon a military officer. His career brought those worlds together.
Walking Away From the Uniform
That makes his decision to leave the Army relatively young particularly noteworthy.
Sambyal has indicated that the choice was driven by personal reasons and family commitments and was not made impulsively. He reportedly spent several months considering his future before deciding to move into civilian life.
For somebody whose adult identity had been built around military training, discipline and service, retirement meant much more than changing jobs.
It meant leaving a way of life.
Before moving on, Sambyal met President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 21, 2026, marking a personal closing of the chapter that had made him nationally recognisable.
His next destination is not yet defined by a single title.
His professional profile highlights experience extending well beyond ceremonial duties — including strategic leadership, operational planning, crisis and risk management and communication — skills that can readily cross from military to civilian professional life.
He has also indicated an interest in building something of his own and using his experiences to encourage young people.
Social-media curiosity about his personal life, meanwhile, has followed him out of uniform. During an online interaction after retirement, Sambyal addressed questions about marriage and reportedly made clear that he was unmarried, while dismissing speculation surrounding his personal plans.
That interest is unlikely to disappear immediately.
Yet the more enduring part of his story may be what preceded the viral fame.
A young man from Jammu entered the military education system, passed through the NDA and IMA, commanded soldiers on Kartavya Path, served in Special Forces and was subsequently entrusted with duties alongside the President of India.
Then, while still young enough to continue climbing the military hierarchy, he chose another road.
The internet may continue calling Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal the “National Crush.”
His uniform, however, tells the more consequential story.
