Subedar Neeraj Chopra, who created history by winning a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics may not get a commissioned officer rank as demanded by many well-wishers and even Army officers. For officers of the rank of JCO in the army, written examination and interview are mandatory requirements to become commissioned officers. In this context, the Army has the option of promoting Neeraj Chopra as Subedar Major or Honorary Major for the time being. Subedar Neeraj Chopra, who became the Olympic champion in javelin throw, whichever option he chooses, the army will happily give him the promotion he wants.
The army is also buoyed over the achievement of Neeraj Chopra, who won the country’s first athletics gold medal in Olympic history and is ready to promote its sports hero. However, on the basis of this unprecedented achievement, on the discussions of making him a commissioned officer directly, military sources said that the army cannot do it even if it wants. Officers in the army are given a commission by the President. There are mandatory procedures for this that it is not possible to bypass. Army JCOs also become commissioned officers through written examination and interviews.
How an OR/JCO (Personnel Below Officer Rank) can become an officer in Indian Army?
To become an officer in the Indian army from a JCO or OR rank one must go through the service entries like ACC Exam, SCO, and PC(SL) Entry. One has to go through the written exam and 5 Days SSB Interview to become an officer in the Indian Army.
We have the example of Honorary Captain Vijay Kumar Sharma, AVSM, SM an Indian sport shooter. He won the silver medal in the individual 25 metre rapid-fire pistol event at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He was promoted to Subedar Major.
