9 hrs ago
Major Sambyal’s Instagram Subscription Sparks Army ‘Downfall’ Debate
Retired Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal started charging people for special content on Instagram.
Android users pay ₹180 each month, while iPhone users pay ₹199.
Subscribers can see special posts, receive a badge, join question-and-answer sessions and get early content.
Some subscribers may also receive coaching, although the articles do not explain exactly what that means.
Reports say he had about 1,200 to 1,569 subscribers at different times.
Based on the larger figure, his monthly collections could be about ₹2.82 lakh to ₹3.12 lakh before fees and taxes.
Some people think charging for content connected to his military experience harms the Army’s image.
Other people say he served for years and should be allowed to build a career and earn money after retirement.
Sambyal said that what some people see as a downgrade is, to a soldier, another way to serve.
Retired Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal launched paid Instagram content after serving as an ADC to President Droupadi Murmu.
The subscription costs ₹180 monthly for Android users and ₹199 for iPhone users.
Subscribers receive exclusive posts, badges, social-channel access, Q&A sessions, early releases and coaching.
Subscriber figures vary between reports, with one article citing around 1,200 and another counting 1,569.
Critics call the move a downgrade for the Army, while supporters defend Sambyal’s right to earn through his public profile.
- Who
- Retired Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, formerly an Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu.
- What
- He launched a paid Instagram subscription offering subscriber-only content and other benefits.
- Where
- On Instagram and across social media platforms.
- When
- The online debate emerged around September 14–15, 2026.
- Why
- To provide paid exclusive content and pursue income through his public profile after retirement.
Critics
Supporters
Effect on the Army’s image
Critics
Critics describe monetizing his military journey and subscriber content as a shame, downgrade or disrespect to the Army.
Supporters
Supporters say his paid work does not tarnish the Army’s reputation and that he should be free to choose his work after retirement.
Using military experience online
Critics
Some users argue that military-related personal stories and popularity are being used to generate monetary profit.
Supporters
Supporters say former Army personnel are not required to provide their knowledge for free and that Sambyal’s training guidance could help young Indians.
Retirement and income
Critics
Critics question whether someone who held a prestigious military position should move into this kind of paid social-media activity.
Supporters
Supporters say Sambyal served for years, has a family and should be allowed to earn through a legitimate online career; some users also claimed he has no pension or retirement benefits.
Key facts
- Subscription price
- ₹180 per month for Android users and ₹199 per month for iPhone users
- Reported subscribers
- About 1,200 in one report; 1,569 in another count
- Estimated monthly collections
- ₹2.82 lakh to ₹3.12 lakh based on 1,569 subscribers
- Estimated annual collections
- About ₹34 lakh to ₹37.5 lakh before applicable fees, taxes or deductions
- Subscription benefits
- Exclusive content, subscriber badge, social-channel access, Q&A sessions, early releases and coaching
- Available exclusive content
- Five exclusive stories and one reel were available when checked by the report
- Military background
- The articles say Sambyal served for 12 years in the Jat Regiment and 4 Para Special Forces before taking premature retirement
Quotes
An unnamed supporter
Social media user defending Sambyal’s paid subscription
“After putting in 12 solid years with the Army, this man hung up his uniform. Now he’s making a living the legitimate way on IG & somehow that’s supposed to tarnish the Army’s reputation? Most of the people pointing fingers never spent a single day serving the nation themselves.”
news18.com
“Had like massive respect for Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal until he started ' subscriptions' for ₹199 on his official Instagram account. Ye nai karna tha (He shouldn’t have done it).”
livemint.com
Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal
Retired Indian Army major and former Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu
“This, for all practical purposes, is a shame and a downgrade for the Army.”
livemint.com
“Some see a downgrade. A soldier sees another way to serve.”
news18.com
livemint.com
Sources
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