He scored 99th percentile in CAT but chose the Army: Who is Col Anurag Upadhyay, the Para SF veteran seeking new possibilities after stroke?

Colonel Anurag Upadhyay, a former Indian Army officer and Special Forces veteran, has come into the spotlight following a public appeal seeking medical, rehabilitation and technology experts who could help explore new avenues for his recovery and greater independence.His journey has attracted attention for a remarkable reason even before his current medical battle. Col Upadhyay reportedly scored in the 99th percentile in the CAT, giving him the opportunity to pursue a career in the corporate sector. Instead, he chose to serve in the Indian Army and later volunteered for the Special Forces. According to a recent appeal shared by entrepreneur Shradha Sharma, he completed his probation with 3 PARA (SF) before joining the raising team of 12 PARA (SF).Who is Col Anurag Upadhyay?Col Upadhyay is a former Army officer who served with India's elite Special Forces. His career took him into the operational world of the Para Special Forces after he chose military service over a potential corporate career following his CAT performance.The appeal says he continued serving despite suffering a heart attack in 2008, eventually returning to active duty. His military journey has been described by fellow veterans as one marked by resilience and dedication.What happened to Col Anurag Upadhyay?In August 2025, Col Upadhyay suffered a severe posterior circulation stroke. According to the appeal shared by Sharma and later circulated more widely, the stroke caused extensive neurological damage and left him with locked-in syndrome.Locked-in syndrome can leave a person unable to move or speak, even though they remain conscious and aware. In Col Upadhyay's case, the appeal says he is able to communicate complete thoughts using eye movements and an alphabet-based scanning system. He also later underwent bilateral below-knee amputations following complications, according to the same account.The appeal is aimed at finding people who may be able to help the family access specialised expertise and resources.They are looking to connect with neurologists and neuro-rehabilitation specialists who have experience with locked-in syndrome or similar conditions, as well as rehabilitation centres and researchers working on neurological recovery.The family is also seeking connections with teams working on assistive technologies, including brain-computer interfaces, eye-tracking and alternative communication systems.Veterans, organisations and individuals who may be able to connect the family with relevant doctors, researchers or institutions have also been asked to come forward.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available social-media posts and information shared in the appeal concerning Col Anurag Upadhyay. TOI Education has not independently verified his military service history, medical records, prognosis or the treatment-related claims described above.Get the latest Education News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.