NEW DELHI, May 14 — Olympic gold medallist and reigning world champion Neeraj Chopra has been conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, the Ministry of Defence confirmed in an official notification issued May 13.
The recognition comes under Para 31 of the Territorial Army Regulations, 1948. “In exercise of the powers conferred by Para 31… the President is pleased to confer Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army on Ex-Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra, PVSM, Padma Shri, VSM, Village & Post Office Khandra, Panipat, Haryana with effect from April 16, 2025,” the notification read.
Chopra, 27, hails from Khandra village in Haryana’s Panipat district and has served in the Indian Army with the rank of Subedar Major. He was scheduled to retire this year, sources said.
Chopra rose to national prominence after clinching gold in javelin at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in track and field.
He followed it up with a silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics and won gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
The Army has previously honored top sportspersons for their contributions to the nation, and Chopra’s elevation to honorary lieutenant colonel adds him to a select group of civilian athletes recognized for both excellence and service.
