Former President Droupadi Murmu’s ADC Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal opens up about Special Forces selection, presidential protocol, fear, discipline and the personal cost of serving at the highest level.
Swati Bhat
The demanding reality behind military alertness, Presidential security and Special Forces training came into focus when Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu, appeared on Raj Shamani’s Figuring Out podcast.
The episode, titled “Protecting the President: Security, VIP Threats & ADC Life | Major Rishabh | FO560 Raj Shamani,” was released on September 10, 2026, on Raj Shamani’s podcast platforms, including YouTube. The over two-hour conversation covered Presidential security protocols, the responsibilities of an ADC, Special Forces training, combat, discipline, fear and the personal sacrifices involved in serving close to the President.
Rishabh Sambyal on extreme training
One of the most striking portions of the conversation came when Sambyal was asked how officers train themselves to remain alert under extreme circumstances.
Describing a training or probation phase, Sambyal said officers could be required to carry approximately 70–80 kg of weight while being deprived of basic necessities. He stated: “You're deprived of water, you're deprived of food, and you're deprived of sleep for 30 to 40 days.” According to Sambyal, the objective is not merely to test physical endurance. The exercises are designed to develop heightened observation and awareness even when an officer is exhausted. He explained that trainees are made to walk roughly a kilometre along a circular route, with objects deliberately placed at unexpected locations. A helmet, for instance, could be positioned behind a tree. At the end of the exercise, trainees are questioned about what they noticed. “When that finishes, there's a test: what did you observe? That is how we train,” Sambyal said. The account offers an insight into the mindset expected from officers whose responsibilities can involve anticipating threats before they become visible.
Inside Presidential security
Sambyal also discussed the extraordinary level of attention involved in protecting the President. He explained that approximately one kilometre around the President is sanitised, meaning the area is checked to ensure there are no arms, metal or other potentially dangerous materials. Even seemingly ordinary objects can become part of an ADC's security assessment. Sambyal cited the example of the glass from which the President drinks water, explaining that an officer cannot simply assume that an object is safe because it appears harmless. The conversation also touched upon why members of the public are not permitted to casually touch the President or Prime Minister. Sambyal explained that the issue is not merely protocol but uncertainty about an individual's intentions and the potential consequences of even a seemingly minor incident.
More than a ceremonial role
For many people, an ADC is primarily seen as the military officer accompanying the President at official functions. Sambyal's account presented a much broader picture. He described the ADC as being responsible for managing the President's requirements, including coordination related to official engagements and communication. The episode also explored the logistical pressures involved in Presidential tours and the need to anticipate requirements before they arise.
Sambyal's career also includes service with the Special Forces, making his discussion of military discipline and combat particularly significant. The podcast featured a dedicated segment on Para SF selection, followed by conversations around combat experiences, fear and the military mindset.
The personal price of serving as an ADC
Beyond the physical demands of military life, Sambyal spoke about the personal sacrifices attached to serving as the President's ADC. He served in the Indian Army for around 12 years and later took premature retirement. His conversation with Raj Shamani explored his relationship with President Murmu, his decision to leave the Army and the personal cost of dedicating years to a demanding military career.
The podcast therefore went beyond the glamour associated with a high-profile military posting. Sambyal's revelations highlighted a less visible reality: the role requires constant alertness, discipline, physical endurance and an ability to remain observant when fatigue would ordinarily take over. His account of carrying heavy loads while enduring extreme deprivation was perhaps the most startling reminder that behind the formal uniform and ceremonial appearances lies a system built around preparation for situations where even the smallest detail can matter.
