In the annals of the Indian Army’s storied history, few paths to the officer corps have been as unconventional and inspiring as that of Lieutenant Aakash Rana. Aakash represents the fourth generation of his family to serve in the armed forces, a lineage that includes his father, a retired officer from the 69th Armored Regiment who now manages a branch of HCPG in Dehradun.
His familial ties to the military are further underscored by the careers of his sisters—one an operational executive at Alstone, and the other a flight attendant with Indigo—highlighting a family tradition of varied and distinguished service.
Aakash’s journey into the military was preceded by remarkable academic and athletic accomplishments. He earned an MBA from Uttaranchal University, specializing in Marketing with a minor in International Business, after completing a BSc in the science stream. However, it was in the field of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) where Aakash first made his mark.
He began his martial arts career by earning a Dan 1 grade black belt in Shotokan karate in 2012. His prowess quickly became evident as he claimed national champion titles in Muay Thai and K1 in 2013 and 2014, respectively, and triumphed in the India Open MMA Championship in 2016 in the lightweight category. His success in the ring led him to a professional stint with the Super Fight League, representing the Haryana team.
Despite his achievements in MMA, Aakash’s transition to the military was not straightforward. His initial attempts to join through the 10+2 Technical entries for the Army and Navy, and the National Defence Academy, were met with setbacks.
After multiple screenings and rejections between 2013 and 2018, including a period when contractual obligations with MMA prevented him from pursuing any exams, he momentarily joined the Indian Army as a clerk. His resolve, however, remained unshaken.
His military career saw a promising start in the Madras Engineer Group, where he excelled in the boxing wing, winning battalion silver medals in both boxing and Graeco-Roman wrestling. Hindered by administrative challenges and repeated rejections from further attempts at the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exams, Aakash was encouraged by a supportive company commander to try for the Army Cadet College (ACC).
His perseverance paid off when he cleared the ACC exam, excelled in regimental tests, and was selected for the prestigious Young Leaders Course (YLC) at the Young Leaders Training Wing of the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. Later he cleared the ACC SSB Interview and was ready to join the ACC wing of the Indian Military Academy, meanwhile due to Covid-19 he was posted in JnK.
Despite an eye injury that temporarily sidelined him, Aakash’s dedication never wavered. He was awarded the Commandant’s silver medal for excellence in humanities, won the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) gold medal for best course performance, and was named Mr. IMA in 2024.
Upon graduating from the Indian Military Academy, he was selected for the highly competitive Para SF probation, marking the beginning of what promises to be an illustrious military career.
Lieutenant Aakash Rana’s journey from an MMA champion to a respected army officer encapsulates the spirit of determination and resilience. His story is not just about personal triumph but also about the rich legacy of military service that runs in his family, serving as a beacon of inspiration for both current and future generations of India’s armed forces.
