Captain Kaustubh Rana Interview
Q. You have served in the Indian Army and later explored journalism, defense commentary, and strategic operations. How has this diverse journey shaped your understanding of leadership and success?
Interestingly, my academic foundation was in journalism at the University of Delhi before I earned my commission in the Indian Army, so returning to media after my military release wanted to complete a circle but with an evolved lens.
Whether it is the newsroom or the battlefield, leadership is completely independent of your uniform or title. In the Army, authority is structured, yet real leadership still must be earned daily through competence and rubbing shoulders with your team. In the civilian world also, leadership is about creating clarity in ambiguity and getting diverse people to take ownership of a shared mission.
As for success, my definition has shifted from external milestones to internal alignment. Certificates, gradings, and paychecks do matter, but Impact, Trust, and Legacy are lasting core outcomes of success.
Q. Having served in challenging terrains, including the Siachen Glacier, what is one lesson about leadership or resilience that every young professional should learn?
Serving at over 21,000 feet on the Siachen Glacier was an experience unlike any other. Scarce oxygen, sub-zero temperatures below minus 40 degrees, and months-long isolation cannot be handled with superficial bravado. Leading a professional small team there was an on-the-job masterclass that tested our patience to the max and taught disciplined consistency in the face of mighty odds.
Empathy, camaraderie, magnanimity, and cohesion are crucial leadership traits that every young professional can learn not just from my Siachen stories but from the stories of most small team military operations and brave warriors.
Q. You have managed contracts worth ₹36 crore and led complex operations. How do you make sound decisions when time is limited and the stakes are high?
You cannot keep waiting for the shoe to drop when handling high-stakes operations. Quick decision making is not an outcome of intelligence alone. It is honed by a thorough understanding of procedures and technicalities through practice and experience. Whether you are handling a rifle or a procurement file, you have got to be a master of your craft to make precise split-second decisions under pressure.
Civil servants swear by the constitution, Contract Managers are bound by the governing agreements and laws, Soldiers are trained in the military ethos and orders in vogue. If you are well-adhered to the core principles which govern your area of work, you can be rest assured of the soundness of your decisions.
Q. With misinformation and sensationalism increasingly shaping discussions on national security, how can young Indians critically evaluate defense-related news and geopolitical claims?
National security is a matter of statecraft, and the lives of citizens depend on it. It is not a mere primetime spectator sport. Unfortunately, algorithms reward outrage and speed over accuracy, thereby turning complex geopolitical realities into high-decibel theatrical narratives. Three things are instrumental in cutting through the noise: reading widely, staying curious, and adopting the analytical filter.
Whenever you consume a piece of news, ask whether the platform is informing your understanding or just monetizing your emotions. In-depth learning of geography, politics, economy, and history will open your perspective beyond polarizing narratives, allowing you to look at the strategic (broader, long-term) depth behind tactical (localized, near-term) developments.
The greatest minds tend to hold a more nuanced view of even the most controversial issues because of their ability to appreciate multiple realities and angles to any story. Holding nuance is evermore critical in the times we are living.
Q. Having experienced both military service and journalism, how has your time in the armed forces influenced the way you communicate and analyses defense and geopolitical issues?
ABCRL, Accuracy, Brevity, Clarity, Relevance, and Logic, is the acronym commonly taught in both journalism and service correspondence. However, military service strengthened the foundations of my journalism education, bringing in the much-needed discipline, poise, and structure in communications. When you have stood on a forward post or managed the lifeline of troops in high-altitude sectors, you realize that every abstract policy line written at the HQ translates into physical reality, blood and sweat for soldiers on the ground. This perspective has brought about operational realism and restraint to my writing. Instead of blind cheerleading, a mature defense opinion piece is characterized by honest, objective, and constructive analysis that highlights both our strengths and the critical reforms needed to prepare our forces for future wars.
Besides, I have also learnt to handle sensitive information responsibly. As a defense storyteller who has handled highly classified information across sensitive appointments in the Army, I am especially mindful about national security implications of every word I write or speak at public fora, ensuring the fine balance between informing our citizens and protecting our strategic information assets.
Q. Military coordination often operates behind the scenes but plays a crucial role in national security. What does the public need to understand about its importance in modern military operations?
There is an old military adage: "Amateurs talk strategy; professionals study logistics." The public naturally gravitates toward fighter jets, tanks, and special forces, but none of them can run for 48 hours without a relentless logistical effort serving as the power behind the punch.
Ensuring that a soldier at 18,000 feet has specialized winter gear, high-calorie rations, fuel that does not freeze, and uninterrupted ammunition requires extraordinary coordination across road convoys, air maintenance, and forward supply depots. India’s context is even more specific, where every border/theatre has its own peculiarities: from deserts, to swamps, to dense jungles and high altitude passes, each needing tailored logistical specializations.
The public can do well by appreciating these peculiarities that effect not only how the soldier fights at the border, but also the deeper technical realities that enable them from across the hinterland.
Q. Through your work in leadership, consulting, and mentoring, what is one practical piece of advice you would give young Indians who want to build meaningful careers while contributing to society?
Working closely with young aspirants and professionals, I often see tremendous energy trapped in overthinking, validation-seeking, or fear of failure. That is why my flagship mentorship programme, which I have been building this year, is titled 'Ambitious Yet Stuck.' The key to this programme lies in the title itself, implying that the forces driving our ambitions need to be fostered whilst clearing out the blocks that keep us feeling stuck.
My advice, for starters, is to invest ruthlessly in your communication, physical and mental discipline, and domain skill. At the same time, become rigorously observant of your immediate environment. Do not just see and hear your parents, peers, and teachers; look beyond, and try to understand their personality, intent, and background, to better empathize with them and draw your boundaries and expectations accordingly. Once you have structured your internal self as well as your interaction with your external environment, you truly become unstoppable.
Q. To end on a personal note, is there any movie, book, or series that you particularly love and would recommend to our audience? What makes it worth experiencing?
Oh, there are so many! But if I were to name one each:
The movie would be 12th Fail. To me this film is a reminder that setbacks are not the opposite of success; they are often part of the process. Your circumstances may shape your journey, but they do not have to define your destination. For anyone preparing for a competitive examination or trying to rebuild their life, its message of persistence and integrity is particularly significant.
The book Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl explores how human beings can find meaning even in the most difficult circumstances. What resonates with me is its central idea that while we may not always control what happens to us, we keep some agency over how we respond. It offers a valuable perspective on resilience, purpose, and the choices we make when life does not go according to plan.
Lastly, I would recommend the series Band of Brothers for its portrayal of leadership, camaraderie, sacrifice, and the human cost of conflict. Beyond the battlefield, what stands out is how ordinary individuals respond to extraordinary circumstances, and how trust in the people beside you can become a source of strength. Having served in the Indian Army, I connect with the importance it places on shared responsibility and the bonds forged through adversity. An honest watch will give a glimpse into life as it is in the military.
Bio
Captain Kaustubh Rana (Retd.) is an Indian Army veteran, defense analyst, consultant, and mentor. Commissioned into the Indian Army Service Corps, he served across high-altitude and counter-insurgency theatres, including a tenure as Post Commander at Bana Post on the Siachen Glacier at over 21,000 feet, and managed complex operational logistics, supplies, and transport for frontline troops. An alumnus of Delhi College of Arts and Commerce with a degree in Journalism and OTA Chennai with a Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies, he bridges ground-level military experience with strategic media discourse. His commentary has appeared in The Indian Express, ABP Live, and Republic World. He is the Co-Founder of OpGrid India, Editor-in-Chief of Bharat Samvaad, and founder of the 'Ambitious Yet Stuck' mentorship program.
Interviewed By Ritika Tawar
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