That's the cost I've paid": Rishabh Sambyal reveals everyt...

Kalpana Kanungo - Mumbai Bureau Sep 12, 2026 1,650 Views

Former presidential Aide-de-Camp Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal has opened up about the personal sacrifices made during his three-year tenure serving President Droupadi Murmu. Detailing strict protocol demands and marriage restrictions during service, his disclosures shed light on the rigorous lifestyle behind elite military assignments.

NEW DELHI — Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, the former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu, has revealed the personal toll and lifestyle restrictions involved in serving at Rashtrapati Bhavan. In a recent interview, the decorated former Special Forces officer detailed the demanding realities of protocol duties, explaining that officers appointed to the role face strict operational clauses, including restrictions on marriage during their tenure.

Having recently announced his premature retirement from the Indian Army after 12 years of distinguished service, Sambyal addressed public curiosity surrounding his departure. The former officer emphasized that fulfilling high-security constitutional responsibilities required setting aside conventional personal milestones, maintaining continuous vigilance, and remaining detached from standard civilian routines.

Protocols, Security, and Personal Trade-Offs

Serving as the President's ADC entails round-the-clock availability, rigorous sanitization protocols across a one-kilometer perimeter, and absolute management of official and unofficial schedules. Sambyal noted that the intensity of the assignment left virtually no room for an independent personal life outside official duties.

Addressing specific lifestyle adjustments, Sambyal confirmed that service regulations prohibit ADCs from marrying while actively holding the appointment. He described the prolonged separation from family and the inability to participate in normal social interactions as the most significant personal sacrifices of his military career.

According to media interviews, official service disclosures, and public statements:

Role Requirements: Direct protocol and security management as Aide-de-Camp to the President of India.
Tenure Restrictions: Mandatory adherence to service clauses prohibiting marriage during the active ADC tenure.
Career Milestone: 12 years of cumulative service, including elite deployments with the 4 Para Special Forces and receiving the Balidaan Badge.
Retirement Context: Premature retirement at age 30 to balance family responsibilities and personal priorities.

Official Sources Section

Rashtrapati Bhavan Official Portal: Presidential secretariat guidelines, ADC operational protocols, and state functionary disclosures.
Indian Army Official Disclosures: Service records, commissioning details, and military decoration protocols.

Quote Section

"According to former presidential ADC Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, while serving at the highest constitutional office, strict protocols and continuous duty commitments meant having virtually no life outside the uniform, which he described as the personal cost of the role."

Why It Matters

For military personnel and observers of state administration, high-profile security roles highlight the intense personal sacrifices demanded by elite national service. For the general public, insights into the inner workings of Rashtrapati Bhavan offer a rare perspective on the strict protocols governing the nation's highest constitutional office.

Key Facts at a Glance

Subject: Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal (Former President's ADC).
Core Revelation: Strict service clauses, including marriage restrictions during the ADC tenure.
Military Background: 12-year service tenure, former 4 Para Special Forces officer.
Current Status: Premature retirement at age 30.

FAQ Session

What did Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal reveal about his time as President's ADC? Sambyal discussed the immense personal sacrifices required by the role, including strict protocol demands, continuous duty, and restrictions on marriage during active service.

Why did Major Rishabh leave the Indian Army? After 12 years of service—including a three-year stint as President Droupadi Murmu's ADC—he took premature retirement at age 30 to attend to family commitments and personal priorities.

Are ADCs to the President allowed to marry? According to Sambyal's disclosures, officers appointed as ADCs to the President face specific service clauses prohibiting marriage while serving in the role.

Where can citizens follow official announcements regarding presidential staff and military protocols? Official administrative guidelines and updates are published via the Rashtrapati Bhavan Portal.