72-Hour Stress Phase, Diving Tank Drill: Ex-ADC Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal Reveals Special Forces Training

New Delhi: Former Indian Army officer Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal (Retd.), who served as an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu and later with 4 Para (Special Forces), has offered a glimpse into the demanding training and probation process associated with India's Special Forces.

Speaking on Raj Shamani's podcast, Sambyal described a roughly 90-day probation phase in which candidates are subjected to controlled, stressful conditions designed to test their physical endurance, mental resilience and ability to function under pressure.

What happens during the 90-day Special Forces probation?

According to Sambyal, the probation period involves rigorous training, missions, physical tasks and very limited sleep. He said candidates are placed in a highly controlled environment where instructors continuously increase the difficulty of tasks.

The former officer explained that the objective is to assess whether a candidate can continue functioning when pushed close to their physical and psychological limits.

Sambyal, who served in the Jat Regiment before qualifying for Special Forces, said he eventually earned the Balidan Badge, which he described as a symbol of sacrifice, commitment and the demands of Special Forces service.

The 72-hour stress phase

One of the experiences Sambyal discussed was what he referred to as the 72-hour stress phase.

He said the phase involves prolonged physical exertion without normal opportunities for rest, food or water. Candidates may have to carry heavy loads, including logs and a backpack containing weapons, while continuing to move for extended periods.

The account was presented as Sambyal's recollection of his training experience and of the training procedures depicted in a documentary he referenced during the podcast.

Diving tank drill tests response under pressure

Sambyal said the stress phase eventually included a diving-tank exercise designed to test a candidate's ability to remain composed in an underwater environment.

He described entering the tank after prolonged exertion and dehydration, followed by underwater drills in which instructors controlled the candidate's exposure to the water and breathing intervals.

According to his account, the exercise was intended to create intense pressure and test whether a candidate could maintain control rather than panic when physically exhausted.

The description highlights the emphasis Sambyal placed on mental control under extreme stress, rather than simply physical strength.

Why are such extreme tests conducted?

Sambyal explained that Special Forces personnel may face situations in which they are captured, isolated or subjected to severe pressure.

He said the training attempts to prepare soldiers to withstand difficult circumstances and continue protecting sensitive information and carrying out their responsibilities.

He also described the broader role of Special Forces as involving missions where conventional infantry may not have the specialised training or equipment required for a particular environment.

From Special Forces to President's ADC

Sambyal's military career later took him to the role of Aide-de-Camp to President Droupadi Murmu. He subsequently took premature retirement from the Army.

His public profile increased significantly during his tenure at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where images and videos of his work alongside the President circulated widely on social media.

His podcast appearance has now drawn renewed attention to another part of his career — his experience of qualifying for and serving in India's Special Forces.

A look inside a demanding military selection process

Sambyal's account offers a first-person description of the intensity associated with Special Forces probation, particularly the combination of prolonged physical exertion, restricted rest and controlled stress exercises.

The details also underline that the experiences he described were part of a military selection and training environment, rather than a routine Army training programme.

His account provides a rare public glimpse into the physical and psychological demands that he says candidates encounter while attempting to qualify for Special Forces.