Dr. Deepak Rao

Physician & Medical Thinker

Dr Rao is a practicing General Physician with expertise in:

• Lifestyle medicine, including diseases of lifestyle such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia
• Degenerative joint care - Spine, Neck, Shoulder, and Knee Rehabilitation
• Sports performance medicine
• Disaster and battlefield medicine
• Medical ethics

He has researched the effect of Lifestyles on health and fitness in thousands of trainees using the parameters of exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress management etc. Under the able supervision of his guide, Dr. Manu Kothari, Prof Emeritus KEM hospital, his research was approved for a doctorate in Alternative Medicine.

Ivy League Executive Education & Continuous Professional Development

Dr. Deepak Rao is a consulting general physician with comprehensive training from King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Mumbai, one of India’s premier government medical institutions, offering wide clinical exposure across diverse patient populations. He has completed the HMX Pharmacology Certificate from Harvard Medical School and is certified in End-of-Life Care from Pasadena University, California.

He has successfully undertaken the Disaster and Emergency Medicine Training Program (SEMPER) of Stanford Medicine and holds certification in Diabetes Management from the Royal College of General Practitioners (UK). Dr. Rao has also completed the Lifestyle Medicine Program from Doane University via Edx and has researched the impact of lifestyle factors—exercise, nutrition, sleep, and stress management—on health and fitness across thousands of trainees.

Under the guidance of Dr. Manu Kothari, Professor Emeritus, KEM Hospital, his research was approved toward a Doctorate in Alternative Medicine. He additionally holds certification in Sexual Health from Health Education England.

Dr. Deepak Rao applies mind science and Zen-based principles to enhance clarity, focus, emotional regulation, and performance across high-pressure environments. His approach integrates applied psychology, cognitive training, and situational awareness to improve decision-making, resilience, and adaptability. Designed for professionals, leaders, performers, and high-stakes individuals across industries, the methodology emphasizes practical mental conditioning over theory—training the mind to remain composed, responsive, and effective in complex real-world situations.

Cognitive Performance & Zen

Dr. Deepak Rao is a Zen scholar and long-term practitioner, integrating Zen psychology with cognitive performance, focus, mental resilence with emotional regulation, and decision-making under pressure and performance under extreme conditions.

He has completed edx coursework in Religious Literacy and Buddhist Scriptures through primary scriptures from Harvard University, grounding his work in classical Buddhist psychology.

He has practiced Zazen meditation for over two decades, training in Buddhist temples across Kyoto and Tokyo, as well as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. His Zen training includes Rinzai Zen practice at the Ningen Zen Headquarters, where he undertook Dokusan (one-to-one guidance) with Head Abbot Marukan Syuntan, who awarded him the Gasenshu compilation of Koans.

Dr. Rao is the author of Unfreak Your Mind – Rewire with Zen Psychology. He has been invited to speak on Zen and applied mindfulness at TEDx events, the International Religious Conference (Texas), and the World Mental Health Congress. His work applies Zen principles to focus, resilience, emotional stability, and cognitive clarity in high-pressure environments.

Psychology-Stress, Decision-Making & Resilience

To better understand patient suffering, psychological patterns, and human behavior under stress, Dr. Deepak Rao has undertaken extensive interdisciplinary training in applied psychology and mental performance. He completed certificate coursework in Psychology Fundamentals from Yale University and Positive Psychiatry from the University of Sydney focusing on emotional regulation, resilience, and decision-making under pressure.

Dr. Rao has attended advanced training in Existential Psychotherapy under internationally renowned psychologist Professor Mick Cooper at London Weekend University. He holds certification in Freudian Psychoanalytic Theory from the Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, California, and in CBT Essentials (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) from the Beck Institute, USA.

He has also trained personally in Autosuggestion Psychotherapy under world-acclaimed therapist Dr. John Butler (HTI, UK). Dr. Rao is a member of the American Psychological Association, the International Society of Applied Psychoanalysis, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health

Specialist in Counter-Terrorism

Dr. Deepak Rao is a specialist in counter-terrorism and unconventional warfare with over three decades of focused work in CQB, urban intervention, reflex shooting, and tactical response systems. He pioneered the Advanced Commando Combat System (ACCS), a specialized CQB framework through which 25,000+ elite commandos from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Paramilitary forces have been trained.

He conceptualized the Rao System of Reflex Shooting, implemented at Battle Schools of Northern and Eastern Commands under directives from senior Army leadership, and introduced Live Round Tactical Simulation (LRTS) to enhance realism in commando and joint special-forces training. His expertise also contributed to modernization of Quick Reaction Team (QRT) training for state anti-terror units.

Elite Commando and Police Training

Dr. Rao founded Army Battle Combatives (ABC), a structured system of operational unarmed combat. His expertise was later sought for expert review inputs related to AMAR (Army Martial Arts Routine), aligning combat principles with field requirements.

He has conducted advanced training in urban counter-terrorism, room intervention, and IED recognition, training over 10,000 personnel from paramilitary and police forces, including CISF. He has trained Para SF instructor groups for cascade reflex-shooting programs and worked with specialized intelligence units, including select groups of RAW.

Recognized for his impact, the Ministry of Home Affairs (Government of India) designated him a training resource in 2009. He has delivered programs at the National Police Academy, Black Cat Academy, Officers Training Academy, Paramilitary Academies, and trained Anti-Terror Squads across multiple Indian states. After 26/11, he was invited by the National Police Academy to conduct Urban Counter-Terrorism courses for senior police officers nationwide.

Combat Arts Grandmaster

Dr. Deepak Rao is a Combat Arts Grandmaster and Master-Instructor, trained in Jeet Kune Do under Richard Bustillo, an original student of Bruce Lee. His training represents an authentic lineage emphasizing functional movement, adaptability, and efficiency rather than rigid styles. Dr. Rao has trained practitioners across skill levels, focusing on biomechanics, timing, awareness, and economy of motion. His approach to combat arts is principle-based—stripping techniques to their essentials and adapting them to real-world contexts with modern understanding of human performance and cognition.

Combat Science (Military Applications)

Dr. Deepak Rao is a recognized authority in military combat science, specializing in close-quarter battle (CQB), unarmed combat doctrine for armed forces. His work is called ABC Army Battle Combatives, emphasizing speed, decisiveness, and threat neutralization in real operational settings.

In 2023–2024, he was invited by the Indian Army Chief to review and enhance the AMAR curriculum, applying his practical insights from decades of research and training in unarmed combat and close-combat tactics. His contributions supported the incorporation of highly effective Army Battle Combatives techniques—skills designed for rapid threat neutralization—into the AMAR programme, earning him formal citation from the Army leadership.

Military Training & Strategic Manuals

Dr. Deepak Rao is a prolific author of technical books and training manuals developed from decades of research and practical experience in unarmed combat, close-quarters battle, counter-terror operations, and security preparedness. His publications have been produced primarily for the Indian Armed Forces, Home Ministry, Defence Ministry, and elite units, with thousands of copies distributed as contributions to national security initiatives. These works have also been accepted into international reference libraries, including those of the FBI, INTERPOL, and the United Nations, earning commendation from global security officials for their operational value and depth.

Notable titles include:

• Encyclopaedia of Close Combat Ops — comprehensive reference on advanced CQB operations
• Commando Manual of Unarmed Combat — field guide for hand-to-hand techniques
• Field Book of Explosive Recognition for Anti Terror Ops — practical identification and response guidance
• Forces Handbook of World Terrorism — strategic overview of global terrorism
• Strike to Kill: Army Battle Combatives — applied combatives for rapid threat neutralization
• Balidan: Essential Commando Skills — core competencies for special mission readiness

These works reflect Dr. Rao’s commitment to practical, mission-oriented knowledge tailored to the needs of service personnel and tactical professionals.

Other Subjects — Medicine, Mind, Zen & Political Science

Beyond military and combat science, Dr. Deepak Rao has authored books that integrate health, mindset, philosophy, and global security topics, bringing scholarly insight to both practitioners and broader audiences. His writing bridges Eastern contemplative traditions with modern psychology, personal resilience, and socio-political analysis.

Key titles in these domains include:

• Don’t Worry, Heal Happy — insights on physical wellness, resilience, and lifestyle medicine
• Unfreak Your Mind – Rewire with Zen Psychology — applying Zen principles to emotional balance and mental clarity
• Mind Range — exploration of psychological potential and inner mastery
• Forces Handbook of World Terrorism and A Comprehensive Analysis of World Terrorism — analytical studies on global terror trends and responses

These works demonstrate Dr. Rao’s interdisciplinary reach—from mind science and wellbeing to strategic understanding of complex socio-political phenomena, grounded in years of professional experience.

Creative Director & Concept Architect

Dr. Deepak Rao currently serves as Executive Director at UCCA NGO, an organization supporting Indian Armed Forces personnel. In earlier roles, he has led Communications, Creative Direction, and Brand Management, overseeing positioning and narrative development across diverse platforms.

He has managed strategic branding and media representation for Dr. Seema Rao, Deepak Rao, and Dr. Komal Rao, who has worked as a model for global brands including Volvo and Horlicks.

Visual Strategy & Narrative Design

Dr. Rao is a registered Director, Scriptwriter, and Post-Production Editor, with hands-on involvement across the full creative lifecycle—from concept development to final edit. His work spans feature films, documentaries, and long-form narrative projects.

His film and media portfolio includes:

• Feature film: HATHAPAYI (2014) Recipient of Jury Appreciation at the Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival
• Documentary: EQUALAwarded at the Los Angeles Film Festival and Short & Sweet Film Festival
• Additional works: QUEST and one script currently in development

Pragmatic Philosophy

To sharpen analytical reasoning and structured thinking, Dr. Deepak Rao completed an edX certification in Logic and Critical Thinking from the University of Queensland. His philosophical approach emphasizes clarity, adaptability, and real-world application rather than abstraction.

His thinking is strongly influenced by Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, studied through direct lineage under Richard Bustillo, an original student of Bruce Lee, emphasizing efficiency, simplicity, and functional effectiveness. He also draws from the Samurai ethos of Bushidō, informed by immersive study of traditional Samurai culture in Kyoto, and from Zen Buddhism as practiced across multiple dojos.

Together, these influences shape a practical philosophy centered on directness, adaptability, discipline, and decisive action—principles applied across leadership, performance, and life decision-making.

Executive Leadership & Strategic Coaching

Dr. Rao also works as an Executive Leadership and Strategic Coach, guiding senior leaders through pivotal professional and personal decisions. His approach focuses on aligning leadership actions with core values, long-term vision, and ethical clarity.

He supports executives in strengthening decision-making, cultivating resilience, and achieving sustained success across professional roles and broader life domains.

Keynote Speaker & Thought Leader

Dr. Deepak Rao is a three-time TEDx keynote speaker, known for translating military thinking, leadership doctrine, and cognitive discipline into practical frameworks for business, management, and organizational leadership.

His talks draw on principles from military strategy, command decision-making, and psychological resilience, applying them to corporate environments, leadership challenges, and high-pressure professional contexts. Notable presentations include themes inspired by Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, commando standard operating procedures (SOPs), and mindset training used in elite military units—adapted for civilian leadership, executive performance, and team effectiveness.

Dr. Rao’s speaking engagements focus on motivation, leadership under uncertainty, mental resilience, and strategic clarity, offering audiences actionable insights grounded in real-world operational experience rather than theory alone.

Dr Deepak Rao’s work reflects a rare convergence of clinical medicine, military training, and multidisciplinary thinking. His approach emphasizes precision, resilience, and real-world application across medicine, human performance, and training.

This website documents verified professional work and public contributions. Content is presented for informational and educational purposes.

Learn more about his work:

• Major Deepak Rao (Military)
• Dr Deepak Rao (Physician)
• Deepak Rao (Director-Mind Studies)

For professional enquiries, contact: uccamumbai@gmail.com