How to Join Indian Air Force Academy, Dundigal 2024

Since its inception in 1971, Indian Air Force Academy (AFA) at Dundigal has built a formidable reputation as the premier training institution of the Indian Air Force. It is situated 43 km from Hyderabad.

The Air Force Academy imparts training to Flying, Technical and Ground Duty Branches as well as flying training to officers of the Army and Navy. It prepares you, both in mind and spirit, to take on the responsibilities of an Air Force Officer.

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Apart from developing the required skills, you are also trained to inculcate the service code of conduct and etiquette that are expected of an officer. The curriculum encompasses plethora of techniques like projects, case studies, On-job training, presentations, debates, book reviews, guest lectures, public speaking, drill, games, swimming, weapon training, Yoga, field craft training and cultural activities to enhance knowledge base as well as to ensure overall development of a trainee as gentleman officer.

How to Join Indian Air Force Academy

1. Through NDA: Young boys and girls who have passed class 12th are eligible to join AFA through NDA. They first spend three years at NDA Khadakwasla and then are shifted to AFA for Stage-I flying training. Through NDA you can join only the flying branch of AFA if you have opted for IAF.
2. Through NCC SE (Men and Women) : 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 and Women can join the Air Force Academy to get training in flying branch through this mode of entry and will be given a Permanent Commission. The notification come online along with AFCAT notification on AFCAT CDAC website.
3. Through CDSE: Male graduates can apply for the flying branch through CDSE Exam held twice a year by UPSC.
4. AFCAT: Through AFCAT girls and boys can join the flying (SSC), Technical and Ground Duties Course. This exam is held twice a year in the month of Feb and August.
5. Meteorology Branch: 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. You can join this by Post Graduation. The notification come online along with AFCAT notification on AFCAT CDAC website.

Details of training at AFA:

• Flying Training: If you have joined the Flying Branch, training is divided into Stage I, II and III. Each stage gradually takes you from fundamental to more complex levels of aviation. Before the commencement of flying training, you will first be provided technical training on the trainer aircraft. This involves imparting theoretical understanding and then a practical demonstration on all systems of the aircraft. You will also be required to undertake a program in aviation medicine. Apart from a complete medical examination, you undergo a de-sensitization programme to prevent / overcome airsickness with the help of Yoga. The programme also includes practical demonstrations in a high altitude simulator. Flying training is provided to pilot trainees from National Defence Academy, the National Cadet Corps or directly from universities. Trainees other than NDA cadets are first sent to the Pre-Flying Training School at Begum pet for six months before commencing Stage –I training. After completion of Stage –I training of 24 weeks at Air force Academy. Pilot trainees are trifurcated into Fighter, Transport and Helicopter streams. Then they undergo stage –II training of 24 weeks in their respective Flying Training Establishments. After Stage –II training, the successful pilot trainees are commissioned as Officers and undergo stage –III training. On completion of Stage –III training, they begin operational flying at the squadrons / Units assigned to them.
• Air Traffic Control Officers Training: Training for Air Traffic Control Courses is conducted at the Air Traffic Officers Training Establishment (ATCOTE). The training is designed and structured on the basis of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) procedures. However, the specific military aviation requirements have been incorporated into the training syllabus. During the Basic Air Traffic Controllers (BATCO) Course, apart from a basic theoretical understanding of the various standards and procedures, you will undergo practical training on a state of the art Visual Tower Simulator (VITOSIM).
• Ground Duty Officers Training: Air Force Academy conducts specialist training for all Ground Duty branches of the Indian Air Force. If you have joined the Administrative, Logistics, Accounts, Education or Meteorology branch, you will be trained at Air Force Academy for a year. The training curriculum is aimed at exposing the trainees to branch specific professional subjects and rigorous military training in order to prepare them for a challenging career ahead
• Joint Services Training: Unity of objective, sense of mission through common efforts, inter branch camaraderie and understanding of functions of other branches are vital requirements of military training. This is achieved through initial phase of joint training wherein, cadets of all branches undergo common training on subjects like General Administration, management, logistics, engineering, leadership etc. covering generic matter.
• Training for Aeronautical Engineering Branches: Technical Branch trainees are imparted their initial phase of training of 22 weeks at the Academy.  This includes general service training and military training.

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