Why Isn’t Subedar Neeraj Chopra Getting an Officer Rank in the Indian Army?

While Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic success has reignited discussions about his promotion, the Indian Army’s protocols are clear.

Following Neeraj Chopra’s historic silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the debate on whether he will be promoted to a commissioned officer rank in the Indian Army has resurfaced. Chopra, who became the fifth Indian athlete to win two Olympic medals, continues to be celebrated as a national hero.

Despite his remarkable achievements, including an Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020, the Indian Army’s regulations require written examinations and interviews for Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) like Chopra to become commissioned officers.

Neeraj Chopra’s Journey and Achievements

Neeraj Chopra, already a Subedar in the Indian Army, etched his name in history by winning India’s first-ever athletics gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

His 2024 silver medal, earned with a throw of 89.45m in Paris, solidifies his status as one of India’s greatest athletes. Despite narrowly missing a second consecutive gold, Chopra’s performance has further endeared him to millions.

The Possibility of Promotion

Many of Neeraj Chopra’s supporters and fellow Army officers have called for his promotion to a commissioned officer rank. However, the Army’s strict protocols require JCOs to clear written examinations and interviews to ascend to the commissioned ranks.

Military sources indicate that while Chopra may not bypass these procedures, he could still receive an honorary promotion, similar to the cases of other decorated athletes like Honorary Captain Vijay Kumar Sharma, who was promoted after winning an Olympic medal.

Honorary Promotions and Army Protocol

The Indian Army is known for recognizing the achievements of its personnel, especially those who bring pride to the nation through sports. Honorary ranks like Subedar Major or Honorary Major are often awarded to distinguished soldiers. Given Chopra’s contributions, it is likely that he will be honored in a similar fashion, though becoming a commissioned officer would require adherence to the Army’s established procedures.