If your phone has been blowing up with tricolour emojis and proud-desi GIFs, you’re not alone. Neeraj Chopra just added a shiny new rank to his name—Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary), Territorial Army. From javelin-throwing beast to fauji swag, Neeraj keeps winning like it’s his day job… and clearly, weekends too. Here’s everything you need to flex in the next family group chat about how our Golden Boy just gave India another reason to brag.
1) So, here’s what actually went down
The buzz you’re hearing is legit: Neeraj Chopra was officially piped as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army on October 22, 2025, in New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi were on hand for max #ProudIndian vibes. The Ministry of Defence had already dropped the Gazette notification on May 13–14, 2025 (rank effective from April 16, 2025), but seeing those insignia go on his shoulder? Total goosebumps, bhai.
Image courtesy Press Information Bureau
2) What does ‘Honorary Lieutenant Colonel’ even mean?
– No, Neeraj’s not heading for an undercover mission or calling for fall-in. The Territorial Army gives honorary ranks to celebrate legends and icons, not to sign them up for drills. It’s about respect—symbolic, not a combat posting, and adds another feather (or star, lol) for inspiring a nation. From mentorship to morale, our guy’s duties are about motivation, not marching orders.
Image courtesy ANI
3) The medal cabinet: why this honour hits different
– Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, Silver at Paris 2024 (that wild final, yaar!), World Championships gold in 2023, Neeraj’s medal haul is basically an Army parade of its own. The stats? At the 2024 Paris final, he threw 89.45m, but Arshad Nadeem set an Olympic record with 92.97m. Dude’s a global icon, pocketing Diamond League bling and consistently making us say, “ab toh khud ki biopic banti hai.” From Khandra village to khaki badge, this was the upgrade we all saw coming.
Image courtesy News18
4) Internet’s reaction: stan culture meets fauji feels
– The instant those pipping ceremony clips dropped, the timeline exploded. Between “Best crossover episode ever” and “Salute-worthy!!!” captions, fans couldn’t decide whether to send more tricolours or Neeraj memes. Expect ‘Lt Col Chopra reporting for duty’ edits, fan art by the dozen, and throwbacks to Tokyo’s golden moment flooding your feeds. This is one of those rare moments where sports WhatsApp and fauji WhatsApp become one giant cheer squad.
5) Kya scene hai next?
– No, this isn’t a signal for retirement, Neeraj’s still very much out there breaking distance records and fans’ chill. The honorary rank is just that extra badge as he continues to lead India’s athletics juggernaut, star at post-Paris meets, and inspire every galli ka champ to pick up a javelin. It’s respect plus responsibility, just like he said: “more than just an honour.” Bas, throw karte raho Neeraj, hum toh yahin hi cheering squad mein hain.
Neeraj Chopra in olive greens is the wholesome crossover we didn’t know we needed, soldier spirit meets sports legend, and not a single dry eye in the room. Proud lag raha hai na? So, sabse bada sawaal: should Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj chase down that 90m barrier next, or spread the javelin gospel at a masterclass tour across India? What do you feel?