We are honored to present an insightful conversation with Mr. Diwakar Joshi, a distinguished pioneer in the field of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) whose career spans over five decades.
From humble beginnings in a small village in Maharashtra to leading national and international NDT organizations, Mr. Joshi’s journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of truth, integrity, and excellence in inspection and education.
As a seasoned engineer, trainer, and leader, he has shaped India’s NDT landscape through groundbreaking initiatives, visionary leadership at the Indian Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ISNT), and a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of professionals.
In this interview, Mr. Joshi shares candid reflections on his career milestones, leadership philosophy, and the evolving challenges and opportunities in the NDT industry, offering invaluable insights for aspiring experts and industry veterans alike.
Mr. Diwakar Joshi is currently working as the Director of QInsight Consol Pvt. Ltd., India and Insight Global FZE, UAE.
Mr. Joshi, it’s such a privilege to have you with us today! Could you start by sharing a little about yourself? We’d love to hear about the key moments in your journey that have shaped your incredible career.
Good day to everyone, and thank you to OnestopNDT for the opportunity to share my journey with you.
I was born and raised in a small village in Maharashtra, India. Looking back, I often say my life has been full of "happy accidents"—each one shaping the course of my career in unexpected but meaningful ways.
By chance, I pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli—one of India’s premier engineering institutes. It was another fortunate turn that led me into the field of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), a field that has defined my professional life for over five decades.
My professional journey began at Walchandnagar Industries Limited, a major manufacturer in sectors including Sugar, Cement, Oil & Gas, Marine, Nuclear, and Space Sciences. On my very first day, I saw a quote in the lab that deeply influenced me:
इष्ट ते प्रस्थापिणे हे नोहेचि आमुचे कर्म,
सत्य शोधन हाचि आमुचा धर्म
Translating it in inspection and testing terms - "It is not my duty to set acceptance criteria, but to diligently verify and reveal the actual condition—truthfully and objectively."
This principle has stayed with me throughout my career. In engineering and inspection, design codes, standards, and specifications define what is "right." Our role as inspection and NDE professionals is to uncover the truth and ensure compliance with those requirements.
Working on critical components for the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP 1 & 2) and the Madras Atomic Power Project (MAPP 1 & 2) honed my skills in high-stakes inspection and deepened my commitment to accuracy and integrity.
Later, I joined Alfa Laval India Limited, a company known for excellence in dairy, brewery, and special metal fabrication. I had the privilege of training in Titanium Fabrication at TFL UK and in Radiographic Testing at TWI UK—experiences that further ignited my interest in fabrication, welding, and NDE.
Yet another exciting juncture came in 1992, when I travelled to Indonesia. That experience became a turning point in my career, laying the foundation for my role as a technical trainer—something I went on to pursue as a lifelong passion.
From 1992 to 1995, I served as a Quality Consultant at PT Puspetindo in Indonesia. There, I helped develop a team of fabrication and NDT engineers, marking the beginning of my journey as a technical trainer.
Since 1995, I have led my own organization, Insight Quality Services, now known as QInsight Consol Pvt. Ltd., offering Training, Consultancy, Inspection & Testing services worldwide.
My journey with the Indian Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ISNT) began in 1983. I had the honour of serving as the President for the years 2022 and 2023. During this time, our team worked relentlessly to establish the Training Management Board (TMB) and the Program Formation and Management Board (PFMB), both instrumental in strengthening ISNT’s framework. ISNT has been a cornerstone in developing my leadership and technical abilities.
Today, I continue to contribute to the global NDT community as a Board Member of APFNDT and as a member of Working Group 1 of ICNDT.
Your transition from technical fields like petroleum and construction into a leadership role in education management is fascinating! What inspired you to take on this challenge, and how has your technical expertise influenced your approach to leadership?
Teaching has always been part of my DNA—my father was a Sanskrit teacher, and I grew up valuing education. From day one of my career, I found myself training operators, fitters, welders, and construction workers, and later expanded that training to NDT personnel. Training quickly became my passion, offering me immense satisfaction.
When I returned from Indonesia in 1993, formal NDT training was rare in India and qualified trainers were few. So, I launched my own NDT training programs in Pune. Today, that humble beginning has grown into a global enterprise. Interestingly, I never consider myself merely a teacher but first and foremost a student, constantly learning alongside my trainees. I firmly believe that teaching is itself a profound learning process.
One of my mentors once told me that classroom instruction gives you 25% of your knowledge, hands-on application adds another 25%, and the remaining 50% comes when you teach others. This insight drives my philosophy: every instructor is perpetually in pursuit of those final 50%.
To me, effective training is about creating an environment where learners thrive—it’s up to each individual to absorb the knowledge, but it’s our job as trainers to make that learning seamless and engaging. When you’re passionate, work becomes joyful, time constraints disappear, and excellence naturally follows. Over the past 30 years, we’ve had the privilege of training more than 22,000 professionals, and the journey continues to fuel my love for teaching and learning.
Reflecting on your journey, is there a particular project or achievement that you look back on as a turning point in your career? What lessons did you take away from that experience?
One of the most defining moments in my career came in 2003, when I had the privilege of serving as the Course Director for the NDT Level III preparatory training program organized by ISNT, Pune Chapter. This was a landmark initiative, with each batch comprising over 40 participants from all over India, and training delivered across multiple methods—Basic, PT, MT, UT, RT, VT, and ET.
The program spanned 28 intensive days and brought together expert faculty from Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, and beyond. I dedicated nearly two months to meticulous planning— not just training development, but handling logistics, coordinating with instructors, managing administration, and ensuring that every detail contributed to a seamless execution.
What began as a training program soon evolved into a collaborative milestone and a flagship event for ISNT. It was a transformative experience for me, one that deepened my understanding of leadership, teamwork, and large-scale project management. The confidence and skills I gained during that period continue to guide me in my professional journey.
Today, there’s an established infrastructure in place to support NDT professionals across India. But back then, we had little more than a notebook in hand and a vision. We were writing our first training modules, reaching out to passionate individuals, and laying the groundwork for what would become a thriving NDT ecosystem. I’m proud to have played a part in shaping that foundation through ISNT’s platform. It not only marked a turning point in my career but also helped spark the growth of our national NDT community.
Mr. Joshi, your tenure as the President of ISNT must have been a remarkable chapter in your career. Could you share some insights into the initiatives or projects you spearheaded during your time at the helm?
My journey with ISNT has always been deeply personal—I often say that before I married my wife, I married ISNT. My commitment to society has been unwavering, even if my family sometimes jokes that I give more attention to ISNT than to them!
Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work as an authorized in-service inspector on an offshore platform for four weeks, which gave me valuable insights into in-service inspection and eventually led me to API training activities. In 1999, under the guidance of two ISNT stalwarts, Mr. Tolani and Mr. Chandramouli, I helped organize the first “Train the Examiner” workshop for NDT examiners—a pioneering effort at the time. This workshop trained 25 Level III examiners who remain active in the field today.
I served as Vice-President of ISNT in 2014-15, and over the next decade, I initiated bi-annual meetings of all 19 Chapter Chairmen. This initiative greatly helped harmonize and coordinate activities across the society’s chapters nationwide.
When I took charge as President of ISNT, the organization was emerging from the challenging COVID-19 period, and revitalizing its activities was a major focus. During my tenure, we achieved ISO 9712 accreditation for all sectors and secured mutual recognition from ICNDT, significantly strengthening our certification framework.
Understanding that a robust certification scheme requires equally strong training support, we established the Training Management Board (TMB) to standardize training activities across India’s chapters and institutes. We also formed the Program Formulation and Management Board (PFMB) to oversee non-certification training programs, ensuring the latest NDT technologies are professionally taught nationwide.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the support of a dedicated team. ISNT’s strength lies in the collective efforts of passionate individuals who share a common vision. It’s this spirit of collaboration and teamwork that continues to drive society forward.
Leading a multidisciplinary team is no small feat. What are some of your go-to strategies for keeping your team motivated, aligned, and innovative?
Indeed, our teams span multiple disciplines—training, consultancy, inspection, and NDT services, among others. The foundation of our organization’s success lies in consistently exceeding customer expectations. To achieve this, continuous improvement is essential—not only in ourselves but also in our tutors, training materials, technology, and infrastructure.
We foster an environment of both freedom and accountability, supported by a dedicated and committed team. I often tell our tutors, “If you want to be a great educator, see the students in front of you as your own children—never leaving any stone unturned in their development.” This mindset has been key to our success.
In consultancy, we lead by example. We don’t simply instruct from the sidelines; we dive in first and guide our clients step-by-step, much like teaching someone to swim by being in the water alongside them. This hands-on, supportive approach has earned deep appreciation from our customers.
For our inspection team, continuous learning and skill enhancement are non-negotiable. We actively motivate and invest in upgrading their knowledge, not just to improve individual capabilities but to elevate the entire working environment. This culture of growth and collaboration keeps the team aligned, motivated, and innovative.
When it comes to the educational programs you oversee, maintaining high standards must be critical. How do you approach quality management to ensure every program delivers its best?
We don’t simply deliver training programs—we design them carefully with a bottom-up approach. For example, when creating a Level II program, we focus on the specific capabilities a participant needs to perform effectively in the field. These capabilities combine both knowledge and practical skills, and the program is structured to ensure participants achieve both by the end.
While documents like SNT-TC-1A and ISO 9712 serve as important guidelines, our primary goal is to meet the real needs of industry customers. It’s not just about issuing certificates; it’s about ensuring operators conduct effective testing that guarantees the integrity of critical components.
To maintain this quality, we continuously train and retrain our tutors, update training materials and practical samples, and keep ourselves aligned with national and international standards. We actively evolve our training methodologies by incorporating new case studies, expanding question banks, upgrading infrastructure, and leveraging computer-based and online training tools.
Despite these efforts, we hold ourselves to very high standards and remain restless, aware that there is always room for improvement as we strive to deliver the best possible education.
Every leader faces challenges along the way. What are some of the toughest obstacles you’ve encountered as a Director in the education management industry? How did you navigate those situations?
The COVID-19 pandemic was a profound teacher for all of us and dramatically shifted the landscape of training. Online training took centre stage, requiring us to adapt quickly. Having been involved in training and certification for over 30 years, I’ve seen a huge shift in learners. Today’s students come equipped with laptops, smartphones, Google, ChatGPT, and instant access to information. Simply covering the syllabus is no longer enough.
One major challenge is overcoming the illusion that information equals knowledge. Our approach emphasizes experience sharing—discussing practical insights and real-world scenarios that aren’t found in textbooks. Fortunately, our faculty consists mostly of working engineers, managers, and NDT professionals who split their time evenly between fieldwork and training. This balance ensures they teach beyond theory, providing actionable guidance for real-world applications.
As the leader of QInsight Consol Private Limited, how do you define the organization's mission, and what are the key areas you focus on to deliver exceptional value to your clients?
At QInsight, our mission centers on understanding and addressing the real pain points of our customers through tailored training solutions. We focus on identifying where issues typically arise and ensure our programs comprehensively cover what needs to be done to prevent or resolve them. This approach has earned our training worldwide recognition and appreciation.
We design all our programs in close collaboration with clients, carefully assessing their specific training needs and expectations. Using a standardized design framework, we develop detailed course notes, presentations, case studies, and question banks, always prioritizing the customer’s requirements. This tailored approach builds strong confidence and trust.
For international examinations, we provide ongoing online support to candidates until they successfully pass, ensuring continuous guidance throughout their learning journey.
As an international training center, we also carefully consider each candidate’s background, English proficiency, and other factors, adapting training hours and materials to meet individual needs effectively.
With your technical background, how do you infuse real-world expertise into the curriculum or training programs you design? What impact do you hope these programs have on students and professionals?
Training involves two essential components: theoretical knowledge and practical application. The theoretical part encompasses technology, equipment, procedures, as well as relevant codes, standards, and specifications. When designing our programs, we focus on making complex subjects simple, engaging, and easy to grasp. The practical training component is just as critical as the theoretical. We emphasize hands-on exposure to real equipment, test specimens, and industrial setups. Trainees work directly with the tools and techniques they will encounter in the field.
To ensure relevance, we integrate real-world case studies, field scenarios, and industry-specific challenges into the curriculum. This approach helps learners gain not just a conceptual understanding but also practical insight into how and when to apply various methods effectively. For example, when covering ultrasonic or radiographic testing, we go beyond basic principles and share real examples from shutdown inspections, critical failure analyses, and complex weld evaluations.
We also invite retired subject matter experts from major refineries and construction companies. Their deep industry experience and genuine passion for teaching greatly enrich the learning experience. As I often say, by the age of 60, we each become a living library of experience—but the real skill lies in opening those volumes and sharing their wisdom with the next generation.
The impact we aim for is long-lasting. We strive to equip students and professionals with the confidence and decision-making ability needed in high-stakes environments. Ultimately, our goal is to strengthen individual careers while raising the overall standards of the NDT community.
Your education at TWI must have played a key role in shaping your path. How has that experience influenced your leadership style and vision for the future?
The knowledge and skills we possess are important, but without third-party endorsement, they often lack broader acceptance. Back in 1989, when I attended a TWI training program in the UK and excelled in the exam, Mrs. Poonawalla, the then director of Alfa Laval, proudly displayed my certificate on the notice board. It may have seemed like a small gesture, but for me, it was a defining moment. This recognition, early on in my career, boosted my confidence tremendously. That moment helped me truly believe in myself, and once you have that self-belief, you can achieve remarkable things.
That experience has had a lasting impact on my leadership style. It taught me the value of recognition, the power of validation, and the responsibility we carry to help others, especially young professionals, believe in their own potential.
Let’s step outside of work for a moment! Do you have any hobbies or interests that might surprise us? What’s your favourite way to unwind after a hectic day?
When you work with passion and enjoy what you do, work never feels tiring—it feels like continuous fun. In my free time, I enjoy reading stories from the ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’. I often incorporate these stories into my training programs because they help students grasp complex concepts more effectively. The narratives stay with students longer, and when principles are linked to memorable tales, the learning becomes both engaging and enduring.
Reading is a true hobby of mine, and I also practice yoga to maintain balance. Beyond that, much of my time is joyfully claimed by my grandchildren. I also enjoy travelling whenever I get the chance.
Inspiration can come from anywhere—books, movies, or even shows. Are there any that have left a lasting impression on you or shaped your approach to innovation or problem-solving?
One source of lasting inspiration for me is the “Bhagavad Gita”. Its teachings, especially those of Lord Krishna, offer timeless wisdom that I often apply to real-life situations. Whether I’m facing a difficult decision or a complex problem, I find that the principles of duty, clarity of thought, and inner balance serve as a strong foundation. The Gita doesn’t just offer spiritual insight—it provides a practical approach to navigating challenges with focus, resilience, and purpose. It has truly shaped the way I approach both innovation and problem-solving in my life.
For aspiring professionals who want to blend technical expertise with leadership, what’s the one piece of advice you’d share to help them on their journey?
Hard work is the shortest path to success. I still remember the words of one of my senior managers who once told me, “Mr. Joshi, you need not fear anyone—except the person who works harder than you.” That advice has stayed with me throughout my career.
While today we often talk about smart work, it's important to remember that true confidence comes from hands-on experience. Nothing substitutes for practical knowledge gained through dedication and effort.
Equally important is the ability to lead and collaborate. Great achievements are rarely the result of individual effort—they’re the outcome of effective teamwork. Learn to work with others, lead by example, and always keep learning.
Diving into your domain of expertise, the NDT industry: What are some of the major challenges the industry is facing right now, and how can we collectively address them?
In the NDT industry, while we often focus on the integrity of equipment, the integrity of people performing inspections is just as crucial. Ethical behaviour and the right attitude in inspectors are essential, yet these aspects are rarely emphasized in codes and standards. I’ve only seen a single line stating, “The inspector shall have the right attitude,” which is not enough.
Attitude can’t be taught in a classroom—it must be recognized and nurtured. This makes the careful selection of individuals with strong ethical values and the right mindset absolutely vital to the profession.
Another major challenge is the rapid evolution of NDE technologies. The field is advancing constantly, and staying current is no longer optional – it is essential! Continuous learning, training, and retraining must be embraced as a way of life in this profession if we want to ensure safety, reliability, and excellence.
Finally, we’d love your thoughts on OnestopNDT! Do you feel our efforts to provide authentic and accurate content are making a difference in the industry? And how do you see our platform helping the NDT community connect and grow together?
I truly appreciate the work that OnestopNDT is doing in consolidating and disseminating valuable NDT-related information.
OnestopNDT plays a crucial role in bridging gaps between professionals across regions and disciplines. By bringing together industry news, technical articles, career opportunities, training updates, and expert insights all on one platform, it is helping to create a more connected, informed, and collaborative NDT community.
I commend the entire team and extend my best wishes for continued success and even greater impact in the future.
