Indian Airforce-An organization of bravery, dignity, honor and adventure and respect. Being into Airforce is something most of us dream of. Most of the defense aspirants have the wish to get into the Airforce fly high with IAF. So if you want to touch the sky you must be aware of the entry schemes through which will enable you to join this prestigious organization. There are various entry schemes below is a list of entry schemes based on the BRANCHES of the jobs in the IAF.
Being in the Airforce does not necessary means flying; there are a lot other things that are needed to be done. In order to make ‘flying’ happen, there are a lot of people behind the scene, who are equally important. Hence there are people associated with the ground duties and engineering as well, so don’t worry and don’t give up if you are not eligible for flying (The spectacle group). So those of you who used to think that if they are having spectacles they can’t be in the IAF don’t be disheartened, you can still join (Of course if you meet other conditions for eligibility). Here are the Branches of the IAF:
- Flying Branch
- Fighters
- Transports
- Helicopters
- Mechanical
- Electronics
- Administration
- Accounts
- Logistics
- Education
- Meteorology
Now let us see the schemes under which you can join them
Ground Duty Branches: (For Graduates/ Post Graduates)
Work: Managing human and material resources, the Ground Duty Branch is the mechanism that steers the Indian Air Force.
General Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty Branches
- Age – 20 to 23 Years for Graduates and 20 to 25 years for Post Graduates (at the time of commencement of course). Upper age limit relaxed upto 26 years for Law Graduates (3 Years Course), upto 27 years for CA / ICWA / M Ed / Ph D.
- Marital Status – Candidates below the age of 25 years must be Unmarried.
- Nationality – Indian
- Gender – Both men and women.
As a Graduate/ Post Graduate you can join as an officer in any of the following Ground Duty Branches
ADMINISTRATION BRANCH
Work: Responsible for the efficient management of both human and material resources. Some of the officers of the Administration Branch are selected and trained to carry out the following duties also:
- Air Traffic Controller – Involves maintaining an orderly flow of traffic and airspace management.
- Fighter Controller – Involves close contact and supervision between the air and radar for effective airspace management.
ACCOUNTS BRANCH
Work: Responsible for efficient financial management of funds.You will also act as internal auditor to ensure a zero-defect audit from outside agencies.
LOGISTICS BRANCH
Work: Responsible for materials management of all Air Force resources. You would ensure efficient supervision of inventories, and involve in procurement processes of various ranges of equipment.
EDUCATION BRANCH
Work: Responsible for teaching in the academy.
METEOROLOGY BRANCH
Work: As a Meteorology Branch Officer you would be involved handling the latest satellite imagery and state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, you would render specific advice to the operators on all aspects of weather.
Entry through: AFCAT
Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements for AFCAT are released by the IAF in the months of June and December
Technical Branches
Work: As an officer in the Technical Branch, you propel and manage your team to ensure that the Indian Air Force remains airworthy. You would be incharge of some of the most sophisticated equipment in the world by joining one of the sub branches based on your qualification.
General Eligibility for Aeronautical Engineering Branch are (applicable for men and women):
- Age – 18 to 28 years (at the time of commencement of course)
- Nationality – Indian
- Marital Status – Candidates below the age of 25 years should be unmarried
- Educational Qualifications- Four year degree qualification from a recognized University OR Cleared Section A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) OR Cleared Section A and B examination of Aeronautical Society of India OR Graduate membership examination of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies. In addition to this there are certain subjects which should match with the subjects given by the IAF, which you must have studied.
Entry into the Technical Branch is through two schemes, both via AFCAT
UNIVERSITY ENTRY SCHEME(UES)
- For candidates studying in Pre-Final year of B-tech/BE degree course
- For men only. Grant of Permanent Commission.
- Educational Qualifications: The candidate must be currently studying in Pre-final year of BE / BTech degree course with choice of subject as mentioned above. There must be No backlog / arrears of papers of previous semesters at the time of SSB Testing. On completion of degree, minimum 60% of marks in aggregate in all papers put together are mandatory.
- Advertisement Schedule: December every year (through AFCAT)
AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING COURSE
- After completion of Engineering degree or while in your final year/semester of Engineering
- For both Men and Women. Permanent Commission (for men) / Short Service Commission (For men and women)
- Marks – Must have scored a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate in all the papers put together in any one of the qualifications listed
- Final year students are eligible to apply provided they do not have any present backlog at the time of SSB testing and they produce provisional/ original degree 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.
Flying Branch
Work: You are trained as a Fighter pilot or a Helicopter pilot or a Transport pilot and are part of various peace and wartime missions. The various modes of entry into the Flying Branch are:
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 specialised training at one of the AF Training Establishments. On successful completion, they are Commissioned as Permanent Commission Officers and posted as pilots 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 – 16 ½ to 19 years (at the time of commencement of course)
- Nationality – Indian
- Gender – Men only
- Educational Qualifications – 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics. Students appearing in final year are also eligible to apply.
- Advertisement Schedule- May and December. (Advertisement is released by UPSC.
As a Graduate: As a Graduate, you 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 – 19 to 23 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 recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) / BE / B Tech (Four Year Course).
- No Percentage Bar for CDSE entry.
Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements are released by UPSC in the months of June and October
NCC SPECIAL ENTRY (FOR MEN ONLY)
(Through NCC Air Squadrons / DG NCC)
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 can join the Air Force through this mode of entry and will be given a Permanent Commission.
Eligibility criteria:
- Age –19 to 23 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 minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have passed Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognized University with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
- NCC Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ certificate.
Advertisement Schedule: NCC Cadets are to apply through respective NCC Air Squadrons/DG NCC.
SSC (SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION ) ENTRY( FOR MEN AND WOMEN)
You can apply through AFCAT for Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying Branch. Short Service Commission in Flying branch is for 14 years with no further extension.
Eligibility criteria:
- Age – 19 to 23 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 25 years(at the time of commencement of course).
- Nationality – Indian
- Marital Status – Single
- Gender – Men and Women.
- Educational Qualifications: Graduates (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized University who have attained minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognized university with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements for AFCAT are released by the IAF in the months of June and December.
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Tashi Mishra, Editorial TeamShe is a defense aspirant from Varanasi completed her BCA. She has attended SSB Interview at 1 AFSB Dehradoon and has more SSB coming up. She is confident about joining Defence Forces one day. Here, she is sharing her views and experience. Mail us to join our editorial team now.
