Rajnath Singh confers Honorary Lieutenant Colonel insignia of the Territorial Army on Neeraj Chopra
On 22 October 2025, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh formally conferred the insignia of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army on javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra at South Block, New Delhi.
Summary
On 22 October 2025, at a pipping ceremony in South Block, New Delhi, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh formally conferred the insignia of the Honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army on two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra. President Droupadi Murmu had granted him the honorary commission on 16 April 2025. Chopra, born on 24 December 1997 in Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana, joined the Indian Army in 2016 and has served with The Rajputana Rifles. He became the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold in track and field (Tokyo 2020), won silver at Paris 2024 and gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi was present.
Key facts
- Date & place
- 22 Oct 2025, South Block, New Delhi
- Rank
- Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, Territorial Army
- Commission granted
- 16 Apr 2025, by President Droupadi Murmu
- Regiment served
- The Rajputana Rifles (enrolled 2016)
- Born
- 24 Dec 1997, Khandra village, Panipat (Haryana)
- Olympics
- Gold Tokyo 2020; Silver Paris 2024
Practice MCQs 3 questions
In October 2025, Neeraj Chopra was formally conferred the insignia of which honorary rank?
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Correct answer: A — Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army
PIB: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh conferred the insignia of Honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army on Neeraj Chopra on 22 October 2025.
Neeraj Chopra, who received an honorary Territorial Army rank in 2025, was born in Khandra village of which district?
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Correct answer: C — Panipat
PIB: he was born on 24 December 1997 in Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana.
Consider the following statements about Neeraj Chopra's honorary commission: 1. The honorary commission in the Territorial Army was granted by the President on 16 April 2025. 2. Before the honorary commission, he had served with The Rajputana Rifles of the Indian Army. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: President Droupadi Murmu granted the honorary commission on 16 April 2025; enrolled in 2016, he has served with The Rajputana Rifles.