Who is Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal? Why did 'national crush' Army officer quit at 30? Details on his career

Rishabh Singh Sambyal shared that meeting President Droupadi Murmu for the first time felt like ‘my mother was standing in front of me.’

Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, who has been dubbed the 'national crush', announced his premature retirement after serving in the Army for 12 years. His retirement has left several disheartened and deepened the intrigue surrounding his career and life.

Sambyal, who served as President Droupadi Murmu's Aide-de-Camp (ADC) – a protocol officer who works directly for a high-ranking official – took retirement at the age of 30.

Rishabh Singh Sambyal's education and career

He cleared the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam in 2013 and joined the 133rd NDA course in 2014. He secured a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Affairs in 2017. In the same year, he joined the Indian Military Academy, where he pursued Military Studies and Defence Management.

During his service, he led the Jat Regiment's contingent at the 2021 Republic Day Parade and won the prestigious Best Marching Contingent Trophy. The distinguished ex-Army officer served with the elite 4 Para Special Forces, known as the “Daggers”, and even earned the Balidaan Badge, an honour achieved by only a small fraction of volunteers.

With roots in military tradition, Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal hails from a Dogra Rajput family of Jammu and Kashmir. The former ADC served in the Indian Army for a total of 12 years, rising from Lieutenant and Captain to Major before taking up the Aide-de-Camp post. He was selected for one of the most prestigious and discreet assignments in the armed forces - President's ADC - in March 2023, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Why did Rishabh Singh Sambyal retire?

An SSB Crack report suggested that he took premature retirement due to personal and family reasons, citing an Instagram Live video. “In everyone’s life there are situations and instances which change your life forever,” he said while revealing that there were no immediate marriage plans.

How safety of President Droupadi Murmu is ensured

In one of Raj Shamani's podcasts, Sambyal spoke at length about the vigilance required to ensure the President of India's safety.

The ex-ADC shared why no one is allowed to touch the feet of the President or shake their hands. "You don't know the intentions of the individual," said Sambyal. He added, "How can you trust the person who is on the other side?" He went on to share that he was even concerned about the glass from which she would have water. "You don't know who has kept it there. You don't know if something is there..."

He explained that an area extending up to 1 km around the President is kept sanitised, which means no arms, metal or other dangerous materials are allowed.

Everyday responsibilities

Sambyal also explained his everyday duties as the person closest to the President. “Everything. I would say presidential requirements, which can be official or unofficial. So we look after everything. Say, for example, the President wishes to speak to the Prime Minister. She will call us, tell us that she wants to speak to the Prime Minister. So we will call up their people, I will speak to the Prime Minister, he is there…then she speaks," he explained.

During the conversation, Sambyal also discussed his bond with the President. He shared that meeting President Droupadi Murmu for the first time felt like "my mother was standing in front of me."

About the Author

Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.

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