Our SSB Panel
We, at Centurion Defence Academy, make you well prepared and organized for each and every stage that is there in the SSB selection process. Profound SSB Panel comprising of ex-officers in Indian Armed Forces having rich experience and specialization as Psychologist, GTO (Group Task Officer) and Interviewing Officer. There are soft skills and life skills sessions to make a student his SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) analysis. Under India’s elite SSB Panel CDA caters frequently and significantly throughout complete duration of batches. Free of cost guidance, regular and free SSB training under SSB Experts is one of the renowned usp of Centurion Defence Academy that help to maintain its result every year.
Centurion Defence Academy elite SSB Panel includes:-
Sir Shishir Dixit - Founder-Director & Chief SSB Mentor Lucknow & Dehradun Center
Sir Shishir Dixit is the Founder-Director and Chief SSB Mentor (Psychology) at Centurion Defence Academy. He specializes in clinical psychology, behavioral therapy, mentorship, and individual profile mapping, as well as career counseling and guidance. Besides being a distinguished psychology mentor, Sir Shishir Dixit is a columnist and motivational speaker who has set a milestone in the selection of defence aspirants into the officer cadre of the Indian Armed Forces through his individual guidance and personalized training. His strategic foresight and strong leadership make Centurion Defence Academy stand out as the best defence coaching institute in India, producing the highest number of officers every year. Sir Shishir Dixit strives to instil in his students the principles of servant leadership, such as empathy, humility, integrity, and social adaptability. He nurtures defence aspirants with the traits of discipline, integrity, commitment, and selfless service to the nation. Read More About Sir Shishir Dixit
Maj Gen A.K. Chaturvedi (Retd.) AVSM, VSM - Trained IO (DIPR), Senior Interviewing Officer Lucknow Center
Major General A.K. Chaturvedi, is a distinguished veteran of the Indian Army, whose career commenced as a Second Lieutenant and culminated as a Major General. Commissioned in the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers (Bengal Sappers) in December 1974, he retired in July 2012. Across his commendable career, spanning from Second Lieutenant to Major General, he oversaw crucial infrastructural development and personnel management in the Military Engineer Services. Trained as an Interviewing Officer at the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, Major General A.K. Chaturvedi is currently associated with Centurion Defence Academy as a Senior IO. His role involves guiding young aspirants to fulfil their dreams of joining the Defence Services and serving in the esteemed Officer Cadre
Maj Gen Shammi Sabharwal (Retd.) - SSB Mentor and Senior Interviewing Officer, Dehradun Center
Maj Gen Shammi Sabharwal, an alumnus of RIMC Dehradun and the National Defence Academy Khadakwasla, dedicated 38 illustrious years of service to the Indian Army. Commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery in December 1981, he held a diverse array of influential roles, showcasing his exceptional leadership and expertise. With two instructional appointments at the School of Artillery, Devlali, and a significant stint as a military observer with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Rwanda, Africa, Maj Gen Sabharwal’s experience spanned varied terrains. He later served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Uttarakhand Sub Area in Dehradun. His subsequent role as Additional Director General NCC (Bihar & Jharkhand) underscored his commitment to shaping young minds. Beyond his military achievements, Maj Gen Sabharwal is an avid reader and an advocate for physical fitness. Presently, his expertise contributes significantly as an Interviewing Officer at Centurion Defence Academy, reflecting his ongoing dedication to mentorship and national defence.
Col Rajesh Kumar Sharma (Retd.) - GTO Lucknow Center, Ex GTO-Bhopal & Kapurthala
Colonel Rajesh Kumar Sharma is a distinguished defence professional with an extensive career spanning over three decades. An alumnus of the IMA Dehradun, he commenced his journey with the Regiment of Artillery in June 1986. Colonel R.K. Sharma holds a distinctive role as a former Ground Testing Officer (GTO) at Bhopal and Kapurthala SSBs, enriching his role in guiding defence aspirants at the Centurion Defence Academy in Lucknow. His invaluable experience has honed his expertise in guiding and mentoring defence aspirants through the intricate facets of individual and group obstacles, thereby enriching their understanding of GTO tasks. Presently settled in Lucknow, Colonel Sharma remains deeply committed to his role at the Centurion Defence Academy, where his dedication and profound insights as a GTO continue to inspire and shape the aspiring candidates seeking to join the defence forces.
Dr. (Col) Ajay Bahadur (Retd.) - Medical Expert at Centurion Defence Academy
Dr. (Col) Ajay Bahadur is an esteemed medical expert at the Centurion Defence Academy (CDA), boasting an extensive array of professional qualifications including an M.B.B.S. from Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, an M.D. in Internal Medicine also from A.F.M.C., Pune, and a D.M. in Cardiology from the Military Hospital (Cardio Thoracic Centre), A.F.M.C., Pune. With an impressive 31 years of clinical experience, Dr. Ajay Bahadur remains committed to providing invaluable medical guidance to defence aspirants, leveraging his expertise to empower and prepare individuals aspiring to join the Armed Forces. His wealth of knowledge and practical experience in medicine significantly contribute to the holistic preparation of candidates at Centurion Defence Academy, ensuring they possess the physical fitness and medical awareness necessary for a successful career in defence services.
Gp Capt A Basu (Retd.) - Senior Interviewing Officer Most experienced in SSB (12+years, 4 tenures in AFSB) Senior Mentor Centurion Dehradun SSB Center
Group Captain A Basu, began his remarkable journey with the Indian Air Force in July 1992. His dedication extended to international arenas as he actively participated in Tri-Services and international flying exercises. He spent three months in Kyiv, Ukraine, overseeing the An32 upgrade acceptance. In 2011, he volunteered for the Interviewing Officers Course and continued to serve in this role for over 12 years until his retirement on 31 August 2023. During this period, he held key positions, functioning as IO, Senior IO, and Deputy President in successive AFSB tenures. Group Captain A Basu contributed significantly to candidate assessment, conducting around five thousand SSB interviews. His operational service included deployment at Kargil for over two months during Op Vijay in 1999. Currently, Group Captain A Basu shares his wealth of experience as an SSB Mentor with Centurion Defence Academy.
Col Psychologist P. Chakraborty (Retd.) - SSB Psychology Mentor - Centurion Defence Academy
Psychologist P. Chakraborty is a skilled and perceptive psychology expert who significantly enhances the SSB Interview Preparation ecosystem at Centurion Defence Academy. With a strong academic grounding in psychology and a thorough understanding of the SSB evaluation process, he brings focus, clarity, and confidence to the psychological testing phase. His core strength lies in assessing personality traits, behavioural patterns, and Officer Like Qualities (OLQs), helping aspirants develop responses that reflect genuine officer potential. As a vital member of the SSB Interview Preparation Mentor Team at Centurion Defence Academy, Lucknow, he guides candidates through Psychological Tests such as TAT, WAT, SRT, and Self-Description using a structured and practical approach. Renowned for his engaging mentoring style and sharp psychological insight, Psychologist Chakraborti helps aspirants overcome hesitation, build emotional stability, and express their true personality under pressure. His continued dedication inspires defence aspirants to develop mental resilience, self-awareness, and a confident officer-like mindset essential for success in the SSB selection process.
Lt. Col. Aditya Budhiraja (Retd.) - SSB Psychology Mentor, Dehradun Center
Lt. Col. Aditya Budhiraja, an officer from the Rajput Regiment with 20 years of army experience mostly in J & K (including Siachen glacier) and North East and a tenure in UN mission in Africa pursued his interest in the field of Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Health post retirement in Jan 2010. While in service he was awarded twice with Vice Chief and Army Commander Northern Command Commendation Cards and also attended the prestigious SSB psychologist course at DIPR (Defence Institute of Psychological Research), New Delhi. He is a Barefoot Counselor, Mindset Coach, Guide, Mentor, Healer and Therapist who is also a trained Hypnotherapist, Pranic healer and NLP Practitioner alongwith various other therapies like CDT (Cognitive Drill Therapy), RFBT (Recovery Focussed Behavior Therapy), Mindfulness and Meditation. On a mission to spread awareness on issues related to Mental, Emotional and Spiritual health and spread joy/bliss/happiness, he has helped scores of people in the last 13 years. He is a keen learner of various ways and methods to handle contemporary societal issues to include stress/anxiety etc, relationships, parenting and upbringing of children in the present day world. He also does career guidance and trains the youth aspiring to join the forces in SSB psychological techniques and more than 1000 candidates (300 candidates trained online only during the Covid two years) have cleared SSB and are in various Army / Air Force and Naval academies. Being a soldier himself, he is especially on a mission of giving back to the organisation in the above fields.
Lt. Col Amit Srivastava, SM (Retd.) - DIPR-Trained Senior GTO Dehradun Center
Lt. Col Amit Srivastava, is a retired officer of the Indian Army with 25 years of distinguished service. Presently, he is associated with Centurion Defence Academy as a Senior GTO at Dehradun Centre, overseeing the GTO segment of the SSB Interview. He is a trained Group Testing Officer (GTO), having completed an extensive course from the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR). He has served at the Selection Centre, Allahabad as Sr. GTO and has also been part of the Core Team for raising a new Selection Centre at Kapurthala with two SSBs. During his tenure as a GTO at different boards, he assessed more than 10,000 candidates and appraised their suitability as per the selection parameters of the Indian Armed Forces. At Centurion Defence Academy, Lt. Col. Amit Srivastava, SM, with his years of rich experience, ensures that defence aspirants are equipped with the required GTO skills and officer-like qualities to excel in their pursuits.
Lt. Col Dr. Mukul Bajpai (Retd.) - Medical Expert – Centurion Defence Academy
Lt. Col Dr. Mukul Bajpai is a respected defence expert and Panel Board Member at Centurion Defence Academy, known for his rich military experience and commitment to mentoring future officers. A former officer of the Army Medical Corps (AMC) and an alumnus of the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, he dedicated 25 years of distinguished service to the Indian Armed Forces. Throughout his career, he gained exposure to the operational, administrative, and professional standards of military life, developing a deep understanding of officer-like qualities and defence selection processes. After retiring from active service, Dr. Mukul Bajpai continues to serve the nation by guiding defence aspirants at Centurion Defence Academy. His practical insights, disciplined approach, and real-world experience help candidates prepare effectively for defence examinations and SSB interviews, playing a vital role in CDA’s holistic training system.
Lt. Col Dr. Alpana Gupta (Retd.) - Medical Expert – Centurion Defence Academy
Lt. Col Dr. Alpana Gupta is a distinguished medical professional, defence expert, and National Coordinator at Centurion Defence Academy (CDA), with over 23 years of service in the Indian Army. A former Lieutenant Colonel and alumna of the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, she has served across diverse terrains, gaining deep insight into military healthcare and operational standards. A gold-medallist pathologist, she specialises in laboratory medicine, clinical research, healthcare management, and quality assurance systems. Dr. Alpana Gupta has held faculty positions at the Army College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and is recognised as a teacher by multiple national universities. A post-doctoral clinical researcher with several publications, she has also led blood transfusion services and trained technical personnel in critical care settings. At Centurion Defence Academy, she plays a vital role in guiding defence aspirants and ensuring holistic preparation aligned with the highest professional and medical standards of the Armed Forces.
Lt. Kaveesh Gaindhar - Ex OTA and Territorial Army, SSB Mentor and Personality Development Coach
Lt. Kaveesh Gaindhar, an accomplished Territorial Army Officer from the 11 Gorkha Rifles, joins Centurion Defence Academy’s esteemed faculty team. A four-time recommended candidate — twice through AFCAT, once via Army NCC Special Entry, and once for the Territorial Army – Lt. Gaindhar brings unmatched experience and motivation to guide future defence aspirants. He has served with distinction in Manipur with the 19 Assam Rifles and has excelled in both sports and endurance events – from representing his state in Squash and captaining OTA Chennai’s Sabiki Cup team, to earning the Marksmanship Award for best firing. A passionate athlete, he has completed multiple half and full marathons, two 100 km ultra marathons, and is set to become the first Gorkha and TA Officer to run 160 km from Jaisalmer to Longewala this December. At Centurion, Lt. Kaveesh Gaindhar stands as a symbol of grit, discipline, and dedication – inspiring aspirants to lead with courage and serve with pride.
Col Prem Kumar Mishra - Interviewing Officer, SSB Mentor & Senior Defence Leadership Expert
Col Prem Kumar Mishra is a seasoned and battle-proven Artillery Officer with extensive experience in leadership, administration, training, resource management, security, and strategic planning. He has served as the executive head of two Army establishments, managing 200–800 personnel and diverse assets, and has handled critical responsibilities in operational areas, civil-military liaison, equipment readiness, infrastructure development, and training. As Chief Instructor and Head of Training Team, he managed training infrastructure for over 5,000 personnel.
A trained Interviewing Officer from the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), New Delhi, Col Mishra served at two Service Selection Centres for four years and interviewed approximately 5,000 candidates for commissioning into the Indian Armed Forces. He has also completed the Senior Command Course, Long Gunnery Staff Course, Technical Staff Officers Course, and Officers Provost Course. His distinguished service has been recognised with the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card (2010) and GOC-in-C Commendation Card (2015). At Centurion Defence Academy, he brings his extensive experience to mentoring aspirants for SSB and officer selection.
Mrs. Gurkirat Kaur - Managing Director | Senior Defence Exam Mentor
Mrs. Gurkirat Kaur, serving as the Managing Director and Senior Defence Exam Mentor at Centurion Defence Academy, exemplifies visionary leadership and academic excellence. In her role, she is dedicated to shaping and guiding the next generation of aspiring military leaders through innovation, mentorship, and a commitment to excellence. Her specialized focus on communication skills and personality development training is integral to guiding defence aspirants toward successful careers within the Indian Armed Forces. Mrs. Kaur’s distinguished mentorship extends beyond conventional academics, instilling in candidates the requisite officer-like qualities crucial for excelling in the demanding landscape of defence services. Notably, her representation of India in Nepal under the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Youth Exchange Programme underscores her commitment to fostering international cooperation and leadership development. Her unwavering dedication, coupled with a strategic and holistic approach, plays a pivotal role in empowering defence aspiring, ensuring they embody the values, skills, and leadership essential for serving the nation with distinction.
Mr. Aditya Dubey - (PD and Eng Spoken Trainer) Academic Director - CEPL
Mr. Aditya Dubey, holding the position of Academic Director at Centurion Education Pvt. Ltd. (CEPL) and also rendering his services as the Personality Development and English Spoken Trainer, stands as a beacon of guidance and expertise, nurturing students for the past 18 years. His specialization in Competitive English, Communication Skills, and Soft Skills is instrumental in preparing and shaping the career paths of defence aspirants. Mr. Dubey’s innovative and productive teaching methodologies have been pivotal in guiding young minds towards successful careers in defence services since the establishment of CEPL. As a leading figure at Centurion Defence Academy, his leadership and dedication play a crucial role in ensuring the holistic development and readiness of young students aspiring to serve in the defence forces. His dedication to continual learning underscores his pivotal role in nurturing strong and capable individuals for the challenges of defence service.
Centurion Defence Academy offers unique learning, social environment and encourages students to become modest, humble, disciplined and adhere to basic human values. SSB Experts, CDA staff and faculty have made substantial contribution to the academic through quality teaching publication, seminars and conferences. We ensure parents that your ward will be spending fruitful and enriching time with us. Join India’s best SSB Coaching today!
