Neeraj Chopra conferred honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army upon two-time Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra during a ceremony in South Block, New Delhi on October 22.

• Chopra joined the Indian Army as a Naib Subedar on August 26, 2016 and was promoted to Subedar in 2021 and Subedar Major in 2022.

• Born on December 24, 1997 in Khandra village in Haryana’s Panipat, he created history by winning India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in athletics in the men’s javelin throw competition at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

• Chopra continued his stellar performance by winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in 2023.

• He has also secured multiple gold medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Diamond League events. 

• His personal best throw of 90.23 metres (2025) stands as a milestone in Indian sporting history.

• In recognition of his outstanding achievements and exemplary service to the nation, Lt Col (Hony) Chopra was granted an honorary commission in the Territorial Army by President Droupadi Murmu on April 16, 2025.

• Chopra is also a recipient of many coveted awards, including Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

Key points on Territorial Army:

• The Territorial Army in its current form came into being when the Territorial Army Act was enacted on August 18, 1948. 

• It was formally raised by the first Governor General C. Rajagopalachari on October 9, 1949, which has since been celebrated as Territorial Army Day.

• The main objective is to provide part time military training to gainfully employed citizens who may become competent soldiers.

• The Territorial Army is citizen’s army of volunteers, who have the zeal to contribute towards the country's defence. 

• It provides an ideal opportunity to the youth of the country to receive military training in their spare time and serve the nation in times of national emergency and internal disturbances. 

• At present, the Territorial Army has a strength of approximately 50,000 personnel.

• The Territorial Army has achieved many glorious feats and earned laurels during the past wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971. 

• It has displayed its grit and courage in operation. 

• For outstanding performance in various operations, the Territorial Army personnel have been conferred with numerous awards.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)