Rishabh Singh Sambyal: Biography, Military Career, President Murmu’s ADC, and Raj Shamani Podcast
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal is a former Indian Army officer who served as an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. He has served with the Jat Regiment and the elite 4 Para...
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal is a former Indian Army officer who served as an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. He has served with the Jat Regiment and the elite 4 Para (Special Forces), and gained recognition after leading the Jat Regiment contingent at the 2021 Republic Day Parade. His later appointment at Rashtrapati Bhavan brought him wider public attention, with his appearances alongside the President becoming popular on social media.
In August 2026, Sambyal took premature retirement from the Indian Army after approximately 12 years of service. He subsequently discussed his military career, the demands of presidential service and his decision to retire in an interview on Raj Shamani’s podcast Figuring Out.
Early life and military background
Rishabh Singh Sambyal comes from the Samba region of Jammu and Kashmir. Reports about his career describe his background in the Indian Army and his progression through military training before his service with operational and ceremonial units.
He served with the Jat Regiment, one of the Indian Army’s infantry regiments. He later volunteered for 4 Para (Special Forces), also known as the “Daggers”. Service with the Para Special Forces requires specialised selection and training, and Sambyal earned the Balidaan Badge associated with the unit.
Public profiles published during his tenure as ADC have also stated that he attended Sainik School Kapurthala and received training at the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy. However, detailed educational dates and degree information should be supported by a primary or authoritative biographical source before being treated as definitive.
2021 Republic Day Parade
Sambyal first attracted significant public attention in 2021, when he served as a Captain and led the Jat Regiment contingent at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi.
The contingent’s performance received recognition, and the Jat Regimental Centre was awarded the Best Marching Contingent Trophy among the three services at the 2021 Republic Day Parade. The achievement became an important milestone in Sambyal’s military career and was later highlighted in profiles about his journey from the Army to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
His association with the parade also contributed to his public recognition before he became known for his presidential assignment.
Service with 4 Para (Special Forces)
After his service with the Jat Regiment, Sambyal joined 4 Para (Special Forces), an elite unit of the Indian Army. The unit is popularly known as the “Daggers”.
His service with the Special Forces became one of the defining aspects of his military profile. He earned the Balidaan Badge, a distinctive insignia associated with the Para Special Forces. Media profiles have highlighted his Special Forces background when describing his career and his later appointment as the President’s ADC.
Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu
In March 2023, Sambyal was selected as an Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu. He served in the presidential establishment for approximately three years.
An ADC’s responsibilities extend beyond appearing beside a senior constitutional authority at public events. The role involves maintaining military protocol, coordinating official engagements, accompanying the President during ceremonies and visits, and remaining prepared to respond to the demands of a highly structured official schedule.
During his tenure, Sambyal was frequently seen accompanying President Murmu at official functions, national ceremonies and public engagements. His military bearing and regular appearances in photographs and videos from Rashtrapati Bhavan made him increasingly recognisable to the public.
Public popularity
Sambyal’s visibility as the President’s ADC led to a rise in social-media interest. Photographs and short videos featuring him alongside President Murmu circulated widely, and users frequently referred to him as the “national crush” or the internet’s “national crush”.
The nickname was a social-media description rather than an official title. His public profile nevertheless illustrates how officers serving in highly visible constitutional positions can attract attention beyond their professional responsibilities.
Raj Shamani’s Figuring Out podcast
Following his retirement, Sambyal appeared on Raj Shamani’s podcast Figuring Out, where he discussed his military career, his time as President Murmu’s ADC and aspects of his personal life. The interview received attention because it offered insight into the demands of a role that is often seen publicly but is less understood in terms of its day-to-day responsibilities.
The demands of serving as an ADC
In the podcast discussion, Sambyal described the intensity of his approximately three-year tenure as the President’s ADC. He spoke about the strict schedule, constant alertness and limited personal freedom associated with the assignment.
He explained that the role required him to remain prepared for official duties and that it was difficult to maintain an ordinary social life. The position involved more than ceremonial appearances, with responsibilities shaped by the President’s programme, protocol and security requirements.
Marriage and personal sacrifices
One of the most discussed portions of the interview concerned marriage and personal life. Sambyal said that he remained unmarried during his tenure as the President’s ADC and explained that the norms associated with the posting did not permit him to marry while serving in that role.
He described the restrictions and the absence of a conventional personal life as among the sacrifices he had made during his military career. His comments drew attention because they highlighted the personal commitments and limitations that can accompany service in a senior official’s close-support establishment.
Addressing social-media rumours
The podcast appearance also gave Sambyal an opportunity to address rumours about his personal life. He spoke about misleading claims circulated online, including speculation about his marital status and alleged relationships.
According to reports on the interview, he said that such rumours were particularly distressing because they affected his family, including his parents, who could find it difficult to distinguish between genuine information and fabricated social-media content. His comments reflected the challenges public figures face when personal speculation spreads online without verification.
Premature retirement from the Indian Army
In August 2026, Sambyal announced his premature retirement from the Indian Army after approximately 12 years of service. His decision attracted public attention because he had been serving in a prestigious and highly visible role at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In comments reported by The Print and other publications, Sambyal described the decision as one of the hardest of his life. He said that family commitments were the principal reason behind his decision and indicated that he had spent several months considering the matter before making it public.
He also clarified that his retirement was not a decision taken simply to pursue marriage or respond to online speculation. Rather, he described it as a personal and family-related decision that required considerable thought.
Life after the Army
After leaving the Army, Sambyal indicated that he intended to work on initiatives connected with youth inspiration and national development. He has spoken about developing a model or initiative aimed at encouraging young people and contributing to the country’s progress.
His post-retirement plans represent a shift from formal military service towards work involving public engagement, mentorship and social contribution. Further details about the initiative, including its name, structure or launch, would need to be confirmed through an official announcement.
Personal life
Sambyal has publicly discussed remaining unmarried during his tenure as the President’s ADC. In his podcast interview, he linked this to the norms and demands of the posting.
He has also spoken about the effect of online rumours on his family and the importance of separating verified information from social-media speculation. Beyond these public comments, limited personal information has been independently established in authoritative sources.
Legacy and public profile
Rishabh Singh Sambyal’s career combines several distinct aspects of Indian military service: infantry leadership, Special Forces experience, ceremonial representation at the Republic Day Parade and service in the presidential establishment.
His journey from the Jat Regiment and 4 Para (Special Forces) to the office of the President made him a recognisable public figure. His retirement and subsequent podcast interview further increased interest in his career, particularly in the sacrifices and responsibilities associated with serving as an ADC.
Although social media brought him considerable popularity, his professional profile remains rooted in his military service, his role at Rashtrapati Bhavan and his stated intention to contribute to society after retirement.
