DIFFERENT ENTRIES OF INDIAN AIR FORCE
CAREER
An officer is a serving member of an armed force or uniformed service who serves at a position of authority.
To be able to lead and control, requires the ability to motivate yourself, inspire others and make tough decisions efficiently.
Depending on your qualifications, you can join one of the various branches of IAF. Broadly the Air Force has three branches with further sub streams:
FLYING BRANCH GROUND DUTY (TECHNICAL) BRANCH
-> Fighters -> Mechanical
-> Transports -> Electronics
-> Helicopters
GROUD DUTY (NON-TECHNICAL) BRANCH
-> Administration
-> Accounts
-> Logistics
-> Education
-> Meteorology
CAREER–NDA
The valiant boys could be part of the Indian Air Force family by applying for NDA (National Defence Academy).
Candidates, short-listed for Indian Air Force after the initial selection procedure, go through a rigorous three- years training regimen at the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, followed by specialized training at one of the AF Training Establishments. On successful completion, they are commissioned as Permanent Commission Officers and posted as officers at any of the Air Force Stations.
You can join NDA by taking the exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This exam is conducted twice a year in all major cities throughout India.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Age- 161/2 – 191/2 years (at the time of commencement of course)
- Nationality- Indian
- Gender- Men only
- Educational Qualifications- 10+2 with physics and Mathematics. Students appearing in the final year are also eligible to apply.
- Advertisement Schedule- January & July. (Advertisement is released by UPSC. Visit www.upsc.gov.in)
- Branches
- The entry through NDA is open for Flying branch, Ground Duty (Tech) & Ground Duty (Non-Tech). All cadets of Flying Branch & Ground Duty (Tech) would be offered B Tech in NDA and cadets of Ground Duty (Non-Tech) would be offered B Sc degree.
CAREER – AS PER BRANCHES
FLYING BRANCH
GROUND DUTY (TECHNICAL) BRANCH
GROUND DUTY (NON-TECHNICAL) BRANCH
AS A GRADUATE
As a Graduate/ Engineer, you can enter the Flying branch through the Air Force Academy. The following are the three modes of entry for Graduates/ Engineers to join the Flying branch:
CDSE (COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAMINATION) (FOR MEN ONLY)
- Men can enter through this mode of entry and will get a Permanent Commission.
- Eligibility criteria:
-
- Age – 20 to 24 years (at the time of commencement of course)
- Nationality – Indian
- Marital Status – Single
- Gender – Men only.
- Educational Qualifications
-
- Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level)/BE/B Tech (Four Year Course).
- Final Year/semester students are also eligible to apply, provided they produce a Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
- No Percentage Bar for CDSE entry.
- Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements are released by UPSC in the months of November and August.
For more details, visit www.upsc.gov.in
CC SPECIAL ENTRY (FOR MEN AND WOMEN)
(Candidates can apply online through NCC Special Entry)
- As an Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ Certificate holder of the National Cadet Corps, you can apply to the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force. Men & women can join the Air Force through this mode of entry. Permanent Commission offered for men and Short Service Commission for men and women.
- Eligibility criteria:
-
- Age –20 to 24 years (at the time of commencement of course). Upper age limit for Candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years(at the time of commencement of course).
- Nationality – Indian
- Marital Status – Single
- Gender – Men and women.
- Educational Qualifications
-
- Minimum 60% marks in each in Maths & Physics at 10 + 2 level.
- Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized University with minimum 60% marks or equivalent.
▪ OR
- BE/B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognized University with minimum 60% marks or equivalent
OR
- Cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
- Final Year/semester students are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any present backlogs at the time of AFSB Testing and produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
- NCC Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ certificate and validity of the certificate would be two years before the date of advertisement.
- Advertisement Schedule: Advertisement for NCC Special Entry is released by the IAF in the months of June and December.
AFCAT ENTRY (SSC FOR MEN AND WOMEN)
- You can apply through AFCAT for Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying Branch.
- Short Service Commission in the Flying branch is for 14 years with no further extension.
- Eligibility criteria:
-
- Age – 20 to 24 years (at the time of commencement of course).Upper age limit for Candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years(at the time of commencement of course).
- Nationality – Indian
- Marital Status – Single
- Gender – Men and Women.
- Educational Qualifications
-
- Minimum of 60% marks each in Maths & Physics at 10+2 level.
- Graduates (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized University who have attained minimum 60% marks or equivalent OR BE/B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognized university with minimum 60% marks or equivalent.
▪ OR
- Cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
- Final Year students are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any backlog at the time of AFSB Testing and produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
- Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements for AFCAT are released by the IAF in the months of June and December.
CAREER – AS PER QUALIFICATION
10 + 2
GRADUATE
POST GRADUATE
10 + 2
The valiant boys could be part of the Indian Air Force family by applying for NDA( National Defence Academy)
Candidates, short-listed for Indian Air Force after the initial selection procedure, go through a rigorous three-year training regimen at the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, followed by specialized training at one of the training establishments. Thereafter, they are commissioned as Permanent Commission Officers and posted as officers at any of the Air Force Stations.
To be in the NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY
You can join NDA by taking the exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This exam is conducted twice a year in all major cities throughout India.
- ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Age – 161/2 to 191/2 years(at the time of commencement of course)
- Nationality – Indian
- Gender – Men only
- Educational Qualifications – 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics. Appearing final year students are also eligible to apply.
- ADVERTISEMENT SCHEDULE
- January and June. (Advertisement is released by UPSC. Visit www.upsc.gov.in)
- Branches
- The entry through NDA is open for Flying branch, Ground duty (tech) and Ground duty (non tech). All cadets of Flying branch and Ground duty (tech) would be offered B Tech in NDA and cadets of Ground duty (Non-tech) would be offered B Sc degree.
GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS
There are two types of commissions:
PERMANENT COMMISSION (PC)
A Permanent Commission means a career in the Air Force till you retire. Permanent Commission Officers continue to serve till the age of superannuation. For a Permanent Commission, you could join as follows
MEN
- For Flying Branch
- After 10+2 – Join NDA
- After Graduation – Join through CDSE/ NCC Special entry
- For Ground Duty (Technical & Non-technical) Branches
- After 10+2 – Join NDA
- After Graduation – Join through AFCAT/ Met entry
SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION (SSC)
A Short Service Commission means a limited period career in the Air Force. You can join the IAF as a Short Service Commission Officer by opting for a SSC Course through AFCAT / MET Entry / NCC Special Entry.
FOR MEN AND WOMEN
- Tenure
- For Flying Branch:- Fourteen years from the date of commissioning (Non-extendable).
- For Ground Duty (Technical & Non-technical):- Ten years from the date of commissioning. An extension of four years may be granted subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, suitability, merit and willingness.
NOTES:
1. MARITAL STATUS:
Candidates below 25 years of age must be unmarried at the time of commencement of course. Widows, Widowers and divorcees (with or without encumbrances) below 25 years of age are also ineligible. Marriage is not permitted during training. Married candidates above 25 years of age are eligible to apply but during the training period they will neither be provided married accommodation nor can they live out with family.
- Candidates should not have been convicted on criminal charges.
- Candidates who have been removed from Defence Training Establishments on grounds of discipline are not eligible to apply
