Last updated: September 1, 2026
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For months, one photograph kept resurfacing online: an Army officer, perfectly composed, holding an umbrella over President Droupadi Murmu in the rain. That image — and others like it — turned Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal into one of the most talked-about faces connected to Rashtrapati Bhavan, nicknamed by social media as India's "national crush." Now, that chapter has closed. In August 2026, Sambyal took premature retirement from the Indian Army after roughly 12 years of service, stepping away from both the uniform and the role that made him an unlikely internet sensation.
Here's the full story of his career, his unplanned rise to fame, and everything that is — and isn't — known about why he chose to leave.
Quick Facts
- Name & Rank
- Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal
- Years in Service
- ~12 years
- Special Forces Unit
- 4 Para Special Forces ("The Daggers")
- Family Background
- Dogra Rajput family, Jammu
- Presidential Role
- ADC to President Droupadi Murmu (c. 2024–2026)
- Internet Nickname
- "National Crush"
- Retirement
- Premature retirement, confirmed August 2026
- Reason Given
- Not officially disclosed
- Farewell Meeting
- Rashtrapati Bhavan, 21 August 2026
- Next Career Move
- Not yet announced
Who Is Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal?
Long before the internet learned his name, Sambyal was simply another officer doing a demanding job away from public attention. He comes from a Dogra Rajput family based in Jammu, a region with deep roots in military service, and by several accounts that background shaped his early decision to join the Army. What makes his story unusual isn't the career path itself — thousands of officers follow a similar route — it's that a routine, disciplined job ended up making him one of the most searched names in the country.
From the NDA to the Daggers: Building an Elite Career
Sambyal's journey began the conventional way for an officer headed toward Special Forces. He is reported to have cleared the National Defence Academy examination in 2013 and joined its 133rd course the following year, before training at the Indian Military Academy. After being commissioned, he volunteered for the notoriously demanding selection process for 4 Para Special Forces, an elite unit known within the Army as "the Daggers." Only a small fraction of volunteers clear that probation, and those who do earn the Balidaan Badge — a distinction that carries real weight inside the force, regardless of any recognition that came later.
The 2021 Republic Day Parade — His First Brush With the Spotlight
Sambyal's public visibility didn't start with a viral photo. In 2021, as a Captain, he led the Jat Regiment's contingent at the Republic Day Parade, which went on to win the Best Marching Contingent Trophy. It was a genuinely notable moment in his career — but at the time, it made him known within military and ceremonial circles, not a household name. That would come later, and for a very different reason.
How an Umbrella Made Him India's "National Crush"
Around 2024–25, Sambyal was selected as one of President Droupadi Murmu's Aides-de-Camp — a posting built on discretion, not visibility. Ironically, it was that very visibility that changed everything. Small, routine gestures performed in the course of duty — holding an umbrella over the President during rain, offering a handkerchief during an emotional moment, assisting her on temple steps — were captured on camera and began circulating widely on social media. Within weeks, users had nicknamed him the "national crush," and unofficial fan pages appeared, even though Sambyal himself kept a low personal profile throughout his ADC posting. The label was never an Army designation or an official title — just an internet phenomenon built around a man doing his job.
Life as the President's Aide-de-Camp
An ADC to the President operates in one of the most formal, protocol-heavy environments in the country. The role typically involves managing schedules and coordination, accompanying the President at official functions and during travel, liaising with dignitaries, and staying alert and unobtrusive at all times. Sambyal's professional profile reportedly describes experience in protocol management, strategic planning, risk management, and high-pressure coordination — skills built quietly, away from the cameras that eventually made him famous.
Why Did He Take Premature Retirement?
This is the part of the story that remains genuinely unclear. Neither the Indian Army nor the Ministry of Defence has issued an official statement explaining Sambyal's decision, and multiple reports have urged readers to treat unverified claims with caution. What is on record is a video message and an Instagram Live session in which Sambyal reflected on his choice without going into specifics.
The remark has widely been read as pointing to personal or family circumstances rather than dissatisfaction with the Army. He also reportedly mentioned having no immediate plans to marry, addressing another thread of online speculation. For now, the exact reason behind his exit remains private, and it would be inaccurate to treat any single explanation as officially confirmed.
The Farewell Meeting With President Murmu
The clearest confirmation of Sambyal's retirement didn't come from a press release — it came from Rashtrapati Bhavan's own digital photo archive. On 21 August 2026, after formally completing his tenure, Sambyal met President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and thanked her for her guidance during his time in the role. Photographs from that meeting spread quickly online, and the President's photo library reportedly listed him as a retired former ADC — turning days of social media speculation into confirmed fact.
What's Next for Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal?
As of now, no new professional role has been officially announced. Sambyal's updated professional profile reportedly lists 12 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, risk management and operational coordination — skills that could translate into several directions, from corporate security to consulting or public-sector work. But until he says otherwise, this remains speculation rather than a confirmed plan. What's certain is that his next move will be watched closely by an audience that discovered him only during the final, most visible chapter of a much longer military career.
The Bigger Picture
There's something quietly ironic about Sambyal's story: he never tried to become famous. His fame was a byproduct of quiet professionalism — a Republic Day parade won years before anyone was watching closely, a Special Forces badge earned far from any camera, and a ceremonial duty performed the same way it would have been for any other President. In an age when visibility is usually chased deliberately, Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal's story is a reminder that sometimes it simply finds you — and that walking away from it quietly, on your own terms, can be just as newsworthy as the fame itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal still serving in the Indian Army?
No. He took premature retirement in August 2026 after roughly 12 years of service and is no longer serving as President Droupadi Murmu's ADC.
Why did Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal take premature retirement?
The Army and Ministry of Defence have not given an official reason. Unconfirmed reports link his decision to personal and family circumstances.
Was Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal really President Murmu's ADC?
Yes. He served as one of President Droupadi Murmu's Aides-de-Camp, a posting he reportedly held from around 2024 to 2026.
Which Special Forces unit did he serve in?
He served with 4 Para Special Forces, an elite unit within the Indian Army known as "the Daggers."
Why is Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal called India's "national crush"?
The nickname grew out of viral photos and videos showing him performing routine ADC duties, such as holding an umbrella over President Murmu. It's an unofficial, internet-driven title, not a military designation.
What is Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal doing after retirement?
No new professional role has been officially confirmed as of this writing. His future plans remain unannounced.
This article draws on public reporting from multiple outlets covering Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal's retirement, along with the confirmation reflected in Rashtrapati Bhavan's digital photo archive dated 21 August 2026. Details that remain officially unconfirmed have been flagged as such throughout.