Who is Col Anurag Upadhyay? Former Army special forces officer who chose military service after scoring 99th percentile in CAT

Colonel Anurag Upadhyay, a former Indian Army officer and Special Forces veteran, has drawn attention following a public appeal seeking medical, rehabilitation and technology experts who could help explore options for his recovery and greater independence.

His journey had already been notable before his current medical challenges. Col Upadhyay reportedly scored in the 99th percentile in the CAT, opening the possibility of a career in the corporate sector. However, he chose to serve in the Indian Army and later volunteered for the Special Forces.

According to an appeal shared by entrepreneur Shradha Sharma, he completed his probation with 3 PARA (SF) before becoming part of the raising team of 12 PARA (SF).

From CAT Success To The Special Forces

Despite having the opportunity to pursue a corporate career after his CAT performance, Col Upadhyay opted for military service. His career eventually took him into the operational environment of India's elite Para Special Forces.

The appeal states that he continued his service even after suffering a heart attack in 2008 and later returned to active duty. Fellow veterans have described his military career as a testament to his resilience and commitment to service.

What Happened To Col Anurag Upadhyay?

In August 2025, Col Upadhyay suffered a severe posterior circulation stroke that resulted in extensive neurological damage, according to the appeal.

The stroke left him with locked-in syndrome, a condition in which a person can remain conscious and aware but may lose the ability to move or speak.

Despite these limitations, Col Upadhyay is reportedly able to communicate complete thoughts through eye movements and an alphabet-based scanning system. He also underwent bilateral below-knee amputations following complications, according to the same account.

Appeal For Medical And Technology Experts

The current appeal is focused on connecting Col Upadhyay's family with specialists and organisations that could help explore further avenues . The family is seeking neurologists and neuro-rehabilitation specialists with experience in locked-in syndrome and similar neurological conditions, along with rehabilitation centres and researchers working on neurological recovery.

Seeking Assistive Technology Support

The appeal also seeks connections with teams developing assistive technologies that could improve communication and independence. These include brain-computer interfaces, eye-tracking systems and alternative communication technologies.

[With TOI inputs]