National Current Affairs
Neeraj Chopra Conferred Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel
- 24 Oct 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has been conferred the Honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in recognition of his outstanding achievements and service to the nation.
- The pipping ceremony was held at South Block, New Delhi where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally presented the rank insignia in the presence of Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.
Key Points
- About: Born on 24th December 1997 in Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana, Neeraj Chopra hails from a farming family and has emerged as one of India’s most celebrated athletes.
- Journey in the Indian Army:
- Neeraj Chopra joined the Indian Army in August 2016 as a Naib Subedar in the Rajputana Rifles Regiment and was promoted to Subedar in 2021 in recognition of his outstanding achievements in athletics.
- In 2022, after his Olympic triumph, he was further promoted to Subedar Major and awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the highest peacetime honour of the Indian Army.
- In April 2025, President Smt Droupadi Murmu granted him the Honorary Commission as Lieutenant Colonel in recognition of his service to the nation and outstanding sporting achievements.
- Achievements in Sports:
- Tokyo Olympics 2020: Created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic Gold Medal in track and field.
- World Athletics Championships 2023: Won the Gold Medal, further strengthening India’s presence in global athletics.
- Paris Olympics 2024: Secured a Silver Medal, maintaining his elite performance level.
- Asian Games & Commonwealth Games: Multiple Gold Medals showcasing dominance in javelin throw across international events.
- Diamond League & Other Events: Consistently achieved top podium finishes, with a personal best throw of 90.23 metres (2025) — a record in Indian athletics.
- Awards and Honours:
- Vishisht Seva Medal (2023)
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2022)
- Padma Shri (2022)
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2021)
- Arjuna Award (2018)
