In a time when political legacies often influence career choices, Lieutenant Pratik Beniwal has charted a different path by choosing a life of military service. Commissioned into the Indian Army on March 7, 2026, after completing his training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, Lt Beniwal has embraced the values of duty, discipline, and national service over continuing his family’s long-standing political tradition.
Hailing from a prominent political family in Rajasthan, Lt Pratik Beniwal is the son of Narayan Beniwal, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Khinvsar in Nagaur district. Narayan Beniwal assumed the MLA position following a by-election after his brother moved to Parliament. Lt Beniwal’s mother, Sumesh Beniwal, serves in the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) and is currently posted as a Cooperative Inspector in Nagaur.
The family’s political legacy extends further. His uncle, Hanuman Beniwal, is the founder and leader of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) and the current Member of Parliament from Nagaur. He has also served four terms as an MLA. Lt Beniwal’s grandfather, the late Ramdev Beniwal, also known as Ramdev Chaudhary, represented the Mundwa constituency twice as an MLA in 1977 and 1985 under the Janata Dal banner. Despite this strong political background spanning generations, Lt Beniwal chose to pursue a career in the armed forces, reflecting a deliberate decision to serve the nation in uniform.
His journey toward the Indian Army began with his early education in Nagaur, where he studied up to the eighth standard. He later moved to Jaipur for higher secondary education at St. Anselm School and completed his graduation from St. Xavier’s College, Jaipur. From a young age, Lt Beniwal expressed a clear inclination toward service-oriented professions, particularly the armed forces and policing, while consciously avoiding conventional administrative roles.
Determined to achieve his goal, he appeared for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination and secured an impressive 29th rank in CDS I 2024 on his first attempt. His success followed an earlier attempt at a civil service examination that did not yield the desired result, further strengthening his resolve to pursue a military career. This achievement earned him a place at the prestigious Officers Training Academy in Chennai, where he underwent rigorous training to prepare for leadership in the Indian Army.
The Passing Out Parade held on March 7, 2026, marked the culmination of months of demanding training and dedication. During the ceremony, Lt Beniwal received his lieutenant’s stars, symbolizing his commissioning into the officer cadre of the Indian Army. In an emotional moment, he saluted his parents while in uniform and placed his officer’s cap on his father’s head, acknowledging the support and encouragement of his family throughout his journey.
The commissioning ceremony was not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for his family and community. His father, Narayan Beniwal, expressed immense pride in his son’s decision, stating that service to the nation runs deep in their family’s values and reflects the enduring principle of “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan.” His uncle, Hanuman Beniwal, described the occasion as a moment of honor for the entire family as well as for the people of Nagaur and Rajasthan.
The story of Lt Pratik Beniwal has resonated widely, particularly on social media, where many have praised his decision to choose national service over political privilege. For many young aspirants, his journey serves as a powerful example of how personal conviction and dedication can shape one’s destiny.
As Lt Pratik Beniwal begins his career in the Indian Army, his story stands as a reminder that leadership and service can take many forms. By choosing the olive green uniform over a political career, he has not only honored his family’s tradition of public service but also set an inspiring example for the next generation of Indians who aspire to serve the nation
