WING COMMANDER KAPIL RAO TANTLA (Retired)
(SSB Psychologist)
Wing Commander Kapil Rao Tantla (Retd) (SSB Psychologist) concluded his role in the Indian Air Force on April 13, 2023. He held significant positions as the Head of the Department of Psychology (Senior Psychologist Assessor) at No. 3 Air Force Selection Board (Gandhinagar) and Psychologist Assessor at No. 2 Air Force Selection Board (Mysore). His expertise lies in human behaviour analysis, certified by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), DRDO, for the Service Selection Boards (SSB).
In 1999, Wing Commander Tantla embarked on his journey with the esteemed Indian Air Force as a Flying Officer in the officer cadre, having graduated with a BE (Electronics) degree from Shivaji University Kolhapur. His exceptional performance earned him the title of "Best Passing Out Officer" at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad in 2000. The following year, he was bestowed with the prestigious "Chief of Air Staff Medal" for securing the top position in the order of merit at the Air Force Technical College for PG Aeronautical Engineering in Bangalore. This honour was presented by Air Chief Marshal Anil Yashwant Tipnis, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, Chief of Air Staff.
Wing Commander Kapil Rao Tantla (Retd) brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the field of human personality assessment and selection. His extensive background in the Air Force, coupled with his work with other military branches and civil candidates, makes him a highly qualified professional in this field.
During his 23-year tenure in the Indian Air Force, Wing Commander Tantla underwent extensive training in various domains, including Advanced Light Helicopter, Surface to Air Missile System, Cyber Security, Information Warfare, and Support System for Flying Operations. His dedication to excellence extended beyond his military service, as he was recognized with the "Award of Excellence" for achieving the first position in merit at the renowned UPES Dehradun institute for his MBA. Furthermore, he pursued a postgraduate program on Human Behaviour at the esteemed institute XLRiJamesdhpur and obtained a Law Degree from Karnataka State Law University.
Wing Commander Kapil Rao Tantla (Retd) has an impressive background in the field of human personality assessment and selection. With a decade of experience as a Senior Human Personality Assessor at the Air Force Selection Board (SSB), he has conducted testing and selection across all the Air Force Selection Boards, including No.1 AFSB- Dehradun, No.2 AFSB-Mysore, No.3 AFSB-Gandhinagar, No.4 AFSB-Varanasi, and No.5 AFSB-Kanchra Para WB, now located in Guwahati.
During his time with the Air Force, Wing Commander Tantla has gained extensive knowledge and expertise in assessment and selection processes. He has not only worked with the Air Force but has also collaborated with the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and DRDO Scientists, expanding his understanding of various military branches and their specific requirements. One of his key areas of expertise lies in conducting and supervising psychometric examinations and analysis. He is well-versed in utilizing projective techniques such as Thematic Apperception Tests, Word Association Tests, and Situation Reaction Tests. These tests provide valuable insights into an individual's personality traits, motivations, and reactions to different situations, enabling a comprehensive assessment of their suitability for military roles.
In addition to his proficiency in psychometric testing, Wing Commander Tantla is also skilled in conducting interviews and group testing exercises. These exercises are designed to assess the leadership potential and personality traits of civil candidates vying for leadership positions. His ability to effectively profile individuals and identify their strengths and weaknesses makes him a valuable asset in the selection process.
GROUP CAPTAIN YOGENDRA KUMAR GUPTA (Retired)
(SSB Interviewing Officer)
Group Captain Yogendra Kumar Gupta (Retired)(SSB Interviewing Officer) is a highly esteemed veteran in the Navigation Branch of the Indian Air Force, having served for 32 years with unwavering dedication. He possesses extensive expertise in Navigation (Air Operation) Services and has fulfilled crucial operational roles and flying duties.
A notable highlight of his career was his leadership position as the head of the Interviewing Officers at the Air Force Selection Boards in Mysore and Varanasi. In this role, he played a vital role in training both Indian and international defense officers to become proficient assessors. Many of the officers he trained went on to conduct selections at their respective Selection Boards.
He personally assessed approximately 18,000 candidates during stage I screening tests. For a period of eight years, he served as an Interviewing Officer, responsible for evaluating and identifying promising candidates for officer positions in the defense services at Services Selection Boards and Air Force Selection Boards. He conducted approximately 8,000 personality interviews, significantly influencing the selection process.
In addition to his military service, he has dedicated over a decade to nurturing the personalities of aspiring defense candidates through his expertise in Interview Techniques. His profound knowledge and unwavering commitment have established him as a distinguished figure in the realm of defense selection and candidate grooming. His extensive experience continues to shape the future of defense aspirants, solidifying his position as a highly respected authority in the field.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL DAVENDER MOR (Retired)
(Group Testing Officer )
Lieutenant Colonel Davender Mor (Retd) is a Group Testing Officer served at 17 SSB (Army Board) Bangalore. He served as a Member of the Selection Board for Defence (Tri Services) for Five years and has an enriching experience ofconducting Stage 1 test of Approx. 7,000 Candidates and Group Testing of around 2,000 Candidates. During his tenure at SSB, he was actively involved in studying, planning and executing De –Novo (New Selection System under trials) system. He was extensively involved in assessing current techniques and worked hard toward upgradation and improvement of the assessment techniques (Group Testing). Apart from being a GTO, he is a Qualified Psychologist (MA in Psychology) and a Master Trainer in Human Resource Assessment (2 years of Diploma from Indian Society of Training and Development under Ministry of Human Resource).
He embarked upon the Defence journey by joining Indian Military Academy after Graduation in 1999. He got commissioned into Regiment of Artillery in 2000. And thereafter opted to become an Army Aviator. He is a Qualified Combat Army Helicopter pilot. He has served in all kind of terrain during his 21 years of Military service. Flown extensively across India and participated in various operations (Ground & Air). Along with Military professional growth he also continued his personal development by doing 2 Management courses, MBA in Human Resource and Supply Chain. He served at various appointments at Sub-unit, Unit & Formation level during his military life.
After taking the Premature Retirement from the Army in 2020, he continued his journey of learning and personality development by attaining a Bachelor’s of Law Degree (BA LLB). He is also a Commercial Aeroplane Pilot (CPL Holder) and has total of 2000 hours of rotary and fixed wing flying experience. Along with Flying as a profession he is a keen educationalist and provide career guidance for SSB and Pilot training.
GROUP CAPTAIN ASHOK KUMAR SHARMA (Retired)
SSB Interviewing Officer (DIPR Certified Ex-SSB Assessor)
Group Captain Ashok Kumar Sharma (Retd) is a highly respected and accomplished individual with extensive expertise and experience in the Indian Air Force. Over his impressive three and half decade career, he actively participated in significant operations such as Operation Vijay in 1999 and Op Prakram, showcasing his exceptional skills as a pilot flying Chetak/Cheetah and Mi 17 aircrafts. In addition to his flying abilities, Group Captain Ashok Kumar Sharma holds a variety of academic qualifications, including an MSc in Defence Studies from the prestigious DSSC at Wellington, Tamil Nadu, as well as an MSc in Military Psychology, an MBA, an LLB, and a BSc.
He has supervised the Anti Naxal Air Operations at Jagdalpur as Air Force Detachment Commander and has also commanded an Air NCC Squadron, where he played a crucial role in guiding and motivating cadets to pursue careers in the Armed Forces as officers. Furthermore, his involvement in evaluating personalities using the Interview Testing Technique at the Defence Institute of Psychological Research in New Delhi and at SSB (Services Selection Board) showcases his ability to understand individuals on a deep level. Group Captain Ashok Kumar Sharma's dedication to the selection and training process is evident in his four-year tenure as a DIPR certified assessor at the Services Selection Board in Varanasi. During this time, he meticulously evaluated over 4,500 candidates, including those undergoing the PABT and Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS), providing valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses.
Moreover, his active involvement in conducting personality development training sessions at various Human Resource Development Centres of the Indian Air Force and NCC camps, highlights his unwavering commitment to assisting aspiring candidates in confidently facing test situations. With his exceptional ability to identify strengths and weaknesses in individuals' personalities, Group Captain Ashok Kumar Sharma has established himself as a highly respected and accomplished figure in the Indian Air Force. His expertise and guidance make him a valuable member of the SSB Mentors team at Gandhinagar, GUJARAT, where he continues to shape the future of the Indian Armed Forces' by nurturing and developing the next generation of military leaders.
DR. GAJENDRAN SCIENTIST ‘F’(RETIRED) PSYCHOLOGIST
(Senior Scientist/Psychologist)
Dr. Gajendran is a distinguished academic and professional in the field of psychology, holding an impressive array of qualifications that include an M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in Psychology, as well as an L.L.B. from esteemed universities. In 1988, His academic journey began as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore a reputable Post-Graduate College, where he laid the foundation for his extensive career in education and research.
In 1995, Dr. Gajendran embarked on a significant professional path as a DRDO Scientist ‘B’ Psychologist at the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), a prestigious institution known for its contributions to Defense Research and Development. His expertise and dedication quickly propelled him to the role of Expert Psychologist at the No.2 Air Force Selection Board in Mysore by 1995. Over the course of nearly 33 years and 9 months, he has amassed a wealth of experience in Teaching, research, Psychological Assessment, and the supervision of numerous psychological projects for post-graduate and M.Phil. students, making substantial contributions to the field of Psychology.
Dr. Gajendran's extensive experience spans over close to three decades, during which he has honed his skills in personality assessment, psychological testing, assessor training, and the development of psychological tests. As a Senior Selection Board (SSB) Interview Instructor, he has successfully trained more than 35 officers from all three branches of the armed forces, as well as DRDO scientists, equipping them for assessment duties at various SSBs. His commitment to excellence is evident in the numerous projects he has completed for both the DRDO and the Indian Armed Forces, showcasing his ability to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application.
Throughout his career, Dr. Gajendran has evaluated over 35,000 dossiers of SSB candidates who participated in Service Selection Boards, meticulously identifying potential candidates for commissioning as officers in the Indian Armed Forces. Following his retirement as Head Scientist/Psychologist, he has devoted himself to mentoring young individuals, focusing on empowering them to confidently navigate the psychological tests associated with SSBs and to develop their personalities to meet the rigorous standards of the Armed Forces. His active guidance has proven transformative, with over 90 percent of the SSB aspirants he has trained benefiting from his mentorship and successfully achieving recommendations for commissioning. Dr. Gajendran's legacy is one of dedication to the development of future leaders, underscoring his profound impact on the field of psychology and the Armed Forces.