Two-time Olympic gold medallist and star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was on Wednesday formally conferred with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, officially presented the rank insignia at a “pipping ceremony” in New Delhi to Neeraj Chopra who serves in the Territorial Army.
The ceremony was attended by Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi and several senior officials of the Indian Army and Territorial Army. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described him as an “epitome of perseverance, patriotism and the Indian spirit of striving for excellence.”
“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,” Rajnath Singh said. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior officials of the Indian Army and Territorial Army were present on the occasion.
Before receiving the honorary rank, Chopra was already a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Indian Army, having joined in 2016.
What is honorary Lieutenant Colonel in India?
An honorary Lieutenant Colonel is a title awarded by the Indian Army to distinguished individuals, usually civilians, to recognize their exceptional contributions to the nation. It is a ceremonial rank, and the recipient does not have any operational military duties. The rank is conferred to inspire patriotism and excellence among both the armed forces and the wider public. Recipients often serve as ambassadors for the armed forces, fostering a closer relationship between the military and civil society.
About Neeraj Chopra
The 27-year-old athlete from Khandra village in Haryana’s Panipat district first joined the Indian Army on August 26, 2016, as a Naib Subedar. Neeraj Chopra has since served with The Rajputana Rifles and was promoted to Subedar in 2021 and Subedar Major in 2022.
Chopra created history at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 by winning India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in athletics. He went on to claim a silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and a gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. He has also earned multiple gold medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Diamond League events.
His personal best throw of 90.23 metres (2025) stands as a landmark in Indian sporting history. Over the years, Chopra has been honoured with several of the country’s highest sporting and civilian awards, including the Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Param Vishisht Seva Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.
Sportspersons who received honorary Lieutenant Colonel title in India
Other prominent Indians who have been granted honorary ranks in the Indian armed forces for their achievements, include cricketers M. S. Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar. While Dhoni was awarded the honorary Lieutenant Colonel rank in the Territorial Army in 2011, Sachin Tendulkar was conferred the honorary rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force in 2010.
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