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About Dr. Narinder Taneja

Air Vice Marshal (Dr) Narinder Taneja (Retd) graduated from the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College Pune in 1985 and was commissioned in the Indian Force on 26 Dec 1985. He completed his post graduation in Aerospace Medicine from the Institute of Aerospace Medicine Indian Air Force Bangalore in 1992. He underwent advanced training in Human Factors & Aircraft Accident Investigation at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign from 2000- 2002.

During his military career spanning 37 years he has served at various Air Forces bases including frontline fighter squadrons.  He was selected for deputation to the Royal Force of Oman from 1995 – 98 where he had the distinct honour of being commended by the Commander Royal Air Force of Oman for two years in 1996 and 1997.

He was on the faculty of the Institute of Aerospace Medicine from 2002 – 2008 where he specialized in training and consultancy in the field of Human Factors & Human Engineering. He was instrumental in conceptualizing and conducting the first ever Train the Trainer course in Human Factors for the IAF.

He served for six years as Director & then Clinical Director Director of Medical Services at the office of Director General Medical Services (Air) at New Delhi. During these years he formulated path breaking polices targeted at conserving precious human resources and enhancing availability of air warriors at the workplace. Some of these include Upgrading Aircrew in the Field, Family Sick Report by Appointment & Single Day Single Visit Annual Medical Examination. These were widely acknowledges by the organization. He was also instrumented in conceptualizing & implementation of the Patient Safety program of the IAF.

As Clinical Director & Commandant of his Alma mater, the Institute of Aerospace Medicine from 2016 – 2018 he lead his team to a A⁺ accreditation by NAAC in 2017 and the Quality Council of India Platinum award for improvement in post graduate training christened “Beyond Academics : A 360 degree approach to post graduate training” in 2018.

He was Deputy Clinical Director Medical Officer at Headquarters Maintenance Command Nagpur from 2018 –2020 where he introduced a successful “Fitness First Mission Always” program to minimize lifestyle diseases.

As Clinical Director Medical Officer, Headquarters Eastern Air Command Shillong he successfully led the preparedness and response against the Covid 19 pandemic. The model was successful and the resilience of the efforts was widely appreciated. He also refocused on patient safety through a year long program called “Patient Safety Reboot, 2022 : Year of Patient Safety, Care & Satisfaction. He superannuated from Shillong on 31 Dec 2022 after 37 years of glorious service with the Indian Air Force.

Dr.Taneja is an avid writer, a renowned researcher, a humble and respected teacher, trusted mentor and colleague, and intensely passionate about flight safety. He has published 102 articles in the Flight Safety Magazine of the IAF and collated them into two books : “Flight Safety: It’s my Baby”  & “ Flight Safety: It’s My Baby Two. The book was released by the Chief of Air Staff & he was felicitated by the IAF on reaching the milestone of 100 articles. He has 25 research publications to his credit and more than 40 presentations in National & International Conferences.

For his selfless contribution to the academic world, aviation & the Indian Air Force at large he has received many national and international awards. He is the recipient of the Joseph Haley writing award for the best published paper in Rotary Wing Aviation Medicine & the International Fellowship of the International Society for the Study of Lumbar Spine.

He was awarded the Chief of Air Staff Commendation in 2000, the Vishist Sewa Medal in 2016 and the Ati Vishist Sewa Medal on 26 Jan 2023.