To join the Indian Air Force is a dream of many aspirants and in this article, you can find the different ways to join the Indian Air Force. There are three different branches of Indian Air Force namely Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical Branch and Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch. Since few years the ways to join the Indian Air Force as an officer has changed and limited to few major entries we are going to talk about in detail.
Four major ways to join the Indian Air Force
NDA Entry
CDSE Entry
AFCAT Entry
NCC Special Entry
It is a dream of millions to Join Indian Air Force and get the wings to live a life filled with glory and pride. There are a number of ways in which the aspirants can turn this dream into reality and Join Indian Air Force as an officer. The major training academy is Air Force Academy (AFA), located in Dundigal, Hyderabad. Here are the above-mentioned ways in which you can Join Indian Air Force:
Different Ways To Join Indian Air Force As An Officer
NDA Entry: This is the first opportunity which you get to join the Air Force. Though limited to flying branch, and exclusive to boys, this is an excellent opportunity which boys get after class 12th to join IAF. They spend three years in National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune, which is like a feeder institution for Air Force Academy, Dundigal. Candidates get a three-year common training at NDA, and are then shifted to AFA for basic Flying Training, prior to commissioning then they are allocated their aircraft type and given further training at the designated flying training school. The exam for this is conducted twice every year, by UPSC.
The advertisement for NDA is released twice a year in the months of June and December by UPSC.
Candidates are to apply as per the advertisement.
The written tests are conducted by UPSC only. For details visit www.upsc.gov.in
Exam type
Written exam followed by SSB for successful candidates.
Gender
Men
Format
Two papers consisting of General awareness, Mathematics and English
Educational Qualification
10+2 (with physics and mathematics). Final Years eligible
Age
16 ½ to 19 ½ years(at the time of commencement of course)
Notification date
May and December (Approx.)
Exam date
April and September (Approx.)
Commission type
Permanent commission
CDSE Entry: Again an exclusive entry for men, after graduation and meant only for flying branch. CDSE is an exam conducted by UPSC, twice every year. The training is conducted in AFA, and then the candidate is moved to the specialized flying training establishment. This entry too is meant for all the three forces, just like NDA.
The advertisement for CDSE in the months of July and November by UPSC.
Candidates are to apply as per the advertisement.
The written tests are conducted by UPSC only. For details visit www.upsc.gov.in
Exam type
Written exam followed by SSB for successful candidates.
Gender
Men
Format
Three papers consisting of General awareness, English and Mathematics.
Educational Qualification
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 years eligible.
Age
20 to 24 years (at the time of commencement of course)
Notification date
June and October (Approx.)
Exam date
February and September (Approx.)
Commission type
Permanent commission
NCC Special Entry: Once again an exclusive entry for men aiming for the flying branch. Training procedure almost same as CDSE. 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. Air Sqn NCC Senior division ‘C’ certificate holders are to apply online through NCC Special entry. The notification comes along with the AFCAT notification.
Exam type
Direct SSB call for Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ Certificate holder of the National Cadet Corps.
Gender
Men and Women
Format
SSB
Educational Qualification
· 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 levelORBE / B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognized University with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together. · Final Year/semester students are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any present backlogs at the time of SSB Testing and produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement. · NCC Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ certificate.
Age
20 to 24 years (at the time of commencement of course)
Notification date
NCC Cadets are to apply through respective NCC Air Squadrons/DG NCC
Commission type
Permanent commission
UES Entry (Discontinued): University Entry Scheme is meant for engineering student of pre final year, for the technical branch of IAF. This is entry for men and the training is in AFA, followed by Air Force Technical College in Bangalore. The advertisement is released along with AFCAT.
Exam type
Written exam followed by SSB for successful candidates.
Gender
Men
Educational Qualification
The candidate must be currently studying in Pre-final year of BE / BTech degree course with choice of subject as mentioned in the advertisement. 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.
Age
20 to 26 years (at the time of commencement of course)
Notification date
December (Approx.)
Commission type
Permanent commission
AFCAT Entry: This is the biggest test conducted for inducting officer in IAF. This test inducts both men and women as officers in all the three branches of IAF, i.e. Flying, Technical and Ground Duty. AFCAT is conducted twice every year by the Air Force and includes an added test called EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) for Technical branch aspirants. The eligibility and training differ according to each branch. Since AFCAT 2 2017, the exam is conducted Online by the CDAC, earlier it was conducted offline by the Indian Air Force. Here are general details regarding this test. AFCAT – AIR FORCE COMMON ADMISSION TEST
For all entries other than NDA and CDSE and for all branches, candidates have to undergo the AFCAT.
The test is conducted twice a year in February and August.
Advertisements inviting applications for AFCAT are out in June and December. Candidates are to apply as per the advertisement.
The test is conducted all across India by the Indian Air Force.
Exam type
Written exam followed by SSB for successful candidates.
Gender
Men and Women
Format
One paper consisting of General awareness, English, Mathematics and Military Aptitude. EKT for Technical branch
Qualification
The eligibility criteria with respect to age limit, educational qualifications etc. for AFCAT are spelled out in the advertisement published. Minimum qualification required is graduation.
Branches
Flying, Technical and Ground Duty.
Notification date
June and December (Approx.)
Exam date
February and August (Approx.)
Commission type
Permanent commission for men and Short Service Commission for men and women.
Meteorological Branch: This is branch only for Post Graduate students. Permanent and short service commissions are given to men and women. The notification comes along with the AFCAT notification.
Exam type
Direct applications followed by SSB for chosen candidates.
Gender
Men and Women
Educational Qualification
Post Graduate Degree in any Science stream / Mathematics / Statistics / Geography / Computer Applications / Environmental Science / Applied Physics / Oceanography / Meteorology / Agricultural Meteorology / Ecology & Environment / Geo-physics / Environmental Biology with minimum of 50% marks in aggregate of all papers put together (Provided Maths and Physics were studied at Graduation Level, with a minimum of 55% marks in both).
Age
20 to 26 years (at the time of commencement of course)
Notification date
Keep checking the website for details
Commission type
Permanent commission for men and Short Service commission for men and women
Fast Track Mode (Discontinued): Generally the selection procedure is spread for a duration of six months, however via Fast Track Selection it is ensured that it is completed within ten days’ time. This mode is mostly meant for Flying Branch and Meteorological Branch. There is no fixed time for advertisement schedule. You need to keep checking the website for such opportunity.
Exam type
Written exam followed by SSB for successful candidates.
Gender
Men and Women
Educational Qualification
Depends on the branch
Age
Depends on the branch
Notification date
Not fixed
Commission type
Permanent commission for men and Short Service commission for men and women
When do we get more?
do they call for Technical entry in FTS ? any chance for that ??