Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, a former Special Forces officer of the Indian Army who served as an Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu, recently retired after 12 years of service, stepping down from a post that comes with personal sacrifices, including a voluntary requirement not to marry and constant availability for duty.
Retirement of Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal After 12 Years in Uniform
Major Sambyal announced his retirement from the Indian Army last month, concluding a 12-year military career that included approximately three years stationed by the side of President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, according to primary reporting. Born in Jammu and belonging to a Dogra Rajput family with a long-standing military tradition, his journey into the armed forces followed a rigorous path. Publicly reported details note that he cleared the National Defence Academy examination in 2013, joined the 133rd NDA course in 2014, and subsequently trained at the Indian Military Academy before beginning his commissioned service. He initially served with the Jat Regiment—leading its contingent at the Republic Day Parade in 2021 and earning the Best Marching Contingent Trophy—before volunteering and successfully clearing the unforgiving selection process for the 4 Para Special Forces, earning the distinguished Balidaan Badge.
The Personal Costs and ‘No Marriage’ Rule for Presidential ADCs
During a conversation with podcaster Raj Shamani, the 30-year-old former officer addressed the heavy personal toll exacted by his high-profile assignment, noting that he remains unmarried because of the specific requirements of the role. According to source reports, the ‘no marriage’ rule for ADCs to the President is a voluntary requirement that officers are fully aware of at the time of appointment, with some selected candidates having opted out in the past. The rationale behind the regulation is to ensure that officers serving the First Citizen can maintain a 24/7 focus and remain available round the clock. Major Sambyal explained that the position prevents him from going out as a normal human being to enjoy life. When asked if the isolation grew burdensome, he stated that he grew to enjoy his loneliness and turned it into a positive thing. Furthermore, his rigorous training and security responsibilities instilled a deep sense of caution, leading him to view unfamiliar acquaintances with strict distrust to protect against potential manipulation or exploitation.
The Demanding Protocol of Presidential Tours and Duty Operations
An ADC to the President functions as the vital bridge between the First Citizen and the outside world, managing schedules, appointments, and ceremony attendance while facilitating communication with government and military branches. President Murmu maintains a heavy schedule during official tours, handling at least three engagements daily. Major Sambyal described the meticulous planning required for these outings, emphasizing that every movement from the moment the President steps out of her vehicle to her return must be tightly coordinated to prevent any public disruption or unscheduled slogans on the dais. Operating on gruelling 24-hour shifts starting at 9 a.m. daily, ADCs live in a duty room situated directly next to the President’s quarters, remaining on constant call until their peers take over the following morning.
Evolution of the Presidential ADC Roster with Groundbreaking Appointments
The President of India maintains a total of five ADCs, comprising three officers from the Army and one each from the Navy and the Air Force. While the rigorous operational demands and the marriage restriction apply equally across all genders, the composition of the ADC team has experienced historic shifts. According to statements from Major General V Parida, Military Secretary to the President, the initiative to introduce women into these coveted roles originated directly from President Murmu to champion women’s empowerment, gender parity, and inclusivity. Last year, Lieutenant Commander Yashaswi Solankee of the Indian Navy shattered a 75-year precedent by becoming the first woman officer appointed as an ADC to the President. She was followed earlier this year by Major Navya Shekhawat, marking the first time a woman Army officer secured the position. Currently, President Murmu is served by a detail consisting of two women ADCs and three men ADCs.
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