Home / Sports / Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in Indian Army
Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in Indian Army
22 Oct
Summary
- Neeraj Chopra awarded honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel
- Promotion marks significant milestone in his decorated career
- Chopra previously received Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna, and Padma Shri
On October 22, 2025, India's Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra was promoted to the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army. The pipping ceremony was held in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and COAS General Upendra Dwivedi.
This latest recognition comes as a significant milestone in Chopra's decorated career. The 27-year-old javelin thrower had joined the Indian Army in 2016 as a Naib Subedar and has since received several accolades, including the Arjuna Award in 2017 and the prestigious Khel Ratna award in 2021. Earlier this year, Chopra was also awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor.
Chopra's journey has been marked by remarkable achievements, including his historic gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Following this triumph, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the highest peacetime honor of the Indian Army, in 2022. Chopra was also promoted to the rank of Subedar Major last year.
Despite a recent setback at the World Athletics Championships, where he finished eighth, Chopra's dedication and talent have cemented his status as one of India's most celebrated athletes.
