Meet Major Avinash Chhetry: From NDA & IMA Topper to ADC to the President of India

In the heart of Assam, a young boy once watched the Indian Army and Air Force in Tezpur with wonder in his eyes. That spark of admiration soon transformed into a flame of ambition—one that would guide him to the very pinnacle of military excellence in India. Today, that boy is Major Avinash Chhetry, a shining example of courage, discipline, and leadership—serving as an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India.

But his rise to this prestigious position was not by chance—it was built on a decade of unmatched determination and historic achievements that continue to inspire thousands of youth across India, especially from the Northeast.

Breaking Barriers at Every Step: A First for Assam and the Northeast

In 2016, Major Chhetry carved his name into the annals of Indian military history by becoming the first Assamese and one of the first from the Northeast to win the President’s Gold Medal (PGM) at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune—an honor awarded to the best all-round cadet across all training and academic parameters. Not only did he top his batch, but he also held the esteemed post of Academy Cadet Captain, and was entrusted with commanding the Passing Out Parade (POP)—an honour few ever receive.

His achievements didn’t stop at academic and leadership excellence. At NDA, he swept gold medals in Boxing, Athletics, and Firing an indicator of his relentless drive to excel in every domain.

Setting the Bar Higher at IMA: The Sword of Honour

Major Chhetry’s trailblazing journey continued at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, where he once again stood tall—this time, as the recipient of the Sword of Honour and Gold Medal for the best overall performance in his batch. For the second time in his life, he commanded the POP—cementing his legacy as one of the most outstanding cadets in the history of India’s premier military training institutions.

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The prestigious Sword of Honour was personally presented to him by General Bipin Rawat, the then Chief of Army Staff, underscoring the magnitude of his achievement and potential.

From Tezpur to Rashtrapati Bhavan: The Making of a Leader

Born on October 11, 1995, to Anjana Chhetry and Purna Bahadur Chhetry (a retired Additional Deputy Director of SIB), Major Avinash’s early life was marked by both modesty and brilliance. Originally from Sadiya village in Tinsukia district, the family later settled in Tezpur, where young Avinash began his schooling journey.

He showcased exceptional academic talent from an early age—skipping Class III due to his merit and eventually earning the only seat reserved for Assam at the prestigious Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun. It was here that he initially dreamt of joining the Air Force but later decided to walk the path of an Army officer—a decision that would change his life and inspire an entire generation.

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The Pride of a Nation, The Inspiration of a Region

Today, Major Avinash Chhetry proudly dons the uniform of the 1st Battalion of the 9 Gorkha Rifles, and serves as one of the Aide-de-Camps to the Hon’ble President Droupadi Murmu, a position of immense responsibility and national prestige. In this role, he not only represents the Indian Army but also stands as a symbol of what dedication, hard work, and belief can achieve.

A Role Model for the Youth of India

Major Chhetry’s story is not just about awards and accolades. It is about consistency, humility, patriotism, and the belief that geography does not define destiny. Whether it's commanding parades at India’s most elite academies or standing beside the President as her ADC, Major Chhetry continues to set benchmarks for excellence.

For the youth of the Northeast—and all of India—he is living proof that dreams, when combined with discipline, can take you from a small town in Assam to the grand corridors of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In a time when India celebrates its diversity and the strength of its unity, Major Avinash Chhetry stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. His life story is not just a personal triumph—it is a national treasure.

Let his journey inspire every young Indian to believe in their potential, to serve with honour, and to aim for excellence—because, as Major Chhetry shows us, greatness begins with a dream and grows through relentless action.