Squadron Leader Birendra Kumar Nigam (5155) Education was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in April, 1956. He is one of the few trained Psychological Officers in the Air Force and has served as a Psychological first in No. 1 Air Force Selection Board and later as Senior Psychological Officer in No. 2 Air Force Selection Board. When serving as an Education Officer at No. 2 and 5 Ground Training Schools in 1956 and 1960, he imparted instruction in English to the first batch of Afghan and Indonesian airmen sent to India. The officer devised a special syllabus and at considerable pains prepared training notes and aids. He was the founder member of No. 2 Air Force Selection Board, Mysore where he served from 1962 to 1966. As the Senior Psychological Officer, he set up the Psychological Section from the scratch. In addition, he imparted practical training to the newly appointed Psychologists besides attending many administrative problems associated with the formation of a new Unit.

As Senior Education Officer of Air Force Station, New Delhi from 1966 to 1970, he with his initiative successfully expanded the educational facilities for the Air Force children. As Secretary of three Air Force Schools in Delhi he improved the standard of education of all the schools as well as the state of finances to a great extent. He also successfully officiated as the Principal of Air Force Central School for a short period. At another Air Force Station, finding that the Station Central School was not in a position to accommodate all the service children he developed the Station Nursery School into a recognized middle school.

In December, 1972, Sqn Ldr Nigam was posted to Headquarters No. 1 Operational Group as Officer in-Charge 'P' Staff. With hardly any past experience in this sphere, he took up his assignment as a challenge. Single handed, with inadequate staff he set about the task of setting up the administrative branch in right earnest and with enthusiasm. By his personal example and hard work, he has in a short time organized the section on sound footing. In addition, the responsibility of carrying out duties of Group Education Officer also fell on him. It is to his sheer hard work and dedicated work, without adequate staff, that the Group has been able to maintain an efficient control over the educational activities of the units. He is an example of a mature, dedicated and highly efficient officer and thus has rendered distinguished service of a high order.