Overview:
Indian Air Force is the 4th ranked assets amongst the air forces of the world. It is one of the major air arms in the world and can boast of the best trained men and material force, engaged in defence to guard the country's skies against external aggression from air. The primary mission is to secure the Indian air space and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict. An evidence of its strength and command ability comes from the fact that it was named Royal Indian Air Force in 1945 as a result of the recognition of its services and achievements in World War II. Working in the Indian Air Force (IAF) is about being in the middle of supersonic jets, state-of-the-art technology and best of the people.
Career Path:
| Stream of study at 12th: |
Science stream (with Mathematics and Physics) |
Appear for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination conducted by the UPSC .The exam is conducted twice a year in all major cities throughout India.
How to join Indian Air Force?
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-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 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 - 16 ½ to 19 ½ 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.
- 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.
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 recognised 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 Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
- No Percentage Bar for CDSE entry.
For more details visit www.upsc.gov.in
NCC 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 Licence 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 recognised University with minimum 60% marks or equivalent.
OR
- BE/B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognised 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 recognised 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.
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 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 Licence 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 recognised University who have attained minimum 60% marks or equivalent OR BE/B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognised 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 recognised 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.
GROUND DUTY (TECHNICAL) BRANCHES
As an officer in the Ground Duty (Technical) Branch, you propel and manage your team to ensure that the Indian Air Force remains airworthy. You would be in charge of some of the most sophisticated equipment in the world by joining one of the sub branches based on your qualification.
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA for Ground Duty (Technical) Branches
- Age - 20 to 26 years (at the time of commencement of course)
- Nationality - Indian
- Marital Status - Candidates below the age of 25 years should be unmarried.
- For both Men and Women. Permanent Commission (for men) / Short Service Commission (For men and women)
- Final year students are eligible to apply provided they do not have any present backlog at the time of AFSB testing and they produce provisional/ original degree issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
- Educational Qualification for Aeronautical Engineering Branch Depending upon your stream of Engineering and subjects studied, you could join one of the sub branches of the Ground Duty (Technical) branch.
GROUND DUTY (NON-TECHNICAL) BRANCHES
(For Graduates/Post Graduates)
Managing human and material resources, the Ground Duty (Non-technical) Branch is the mechanism that steers the Indian Air Force.
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA for Ground Duty (Non-technical) Branches
ADMINISTRATION BRANCH
- Permanent Commission (for Men)/Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)
- 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.
- Educational Qualifications
- Graduate Degree (Minimum three year degree course) in any discipline from a recognised university with 60% marks or equivalent or cleared section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
ACCOUNTS BRANCH
- Permanent Commission (for Men)/Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)
- Responsible for efficient financial management of funds. You will also act as internal auditor to ensure a zero-defect audit from outside agencies.
- Educational Qualifications
- B.Com degree (minimum three year degree course) from a recognised university with a minimum 60% marks or equivalent.
LOGISTICS BRANCH
- Permanent Commission (for Men)/Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)
- 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.
- Educational Qualifications
- Graduate Degree (Minimum three year degree course) in any discipline from a recognised university with 60% marks or equivalent or cleared section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
EDUCATION BRANCH
- Permanent Commission (for Men)/Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)
- Educational Qualifications
- MA/M.Sc degree in English/Physics/Mathematics/Chemistry/Statistics/International Relations/International Studies/Defence Studies/Psychology/Computer Science/IT/Management/MBA/MCA/ Mass Communication/Journalism/Public Relations with minimum 50 % marks in aggregate in all papers put together in Post-Graduation (minimum two years programme) and 60% marks in Graduation (both recognised by UGC/Competent Accreditation Authority).
- For integrated courses (single degree without permission to exit and lateral entry), the minimum duration must be as per prevailing UGC guidelines with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate of all papers put together.
METEOROLOGY BRANCH
- Permanent Commission (for Men)/Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)
- 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.
- Educational Qualifications
- Post-Graduation Degree in any science stream /Mathematics/Statistics/Geography/Computer Applications/Environmental Science/Applied Physics/Oceanography/Agricultural Meteorology/Ecology & Environment/Geo-physics/Environmental Biology. All candidates should have scored a minimum 50% marks in aggregate in all papers of Post-Graduation put together (provided Maths & Physics were studied at Graduation level with a minimum of 55% marks in both).
Top Colleges:
- National Defence College, Khadakwasla
- Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Andhra Pradesh
- Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
- National Defence Academy, Pune
- Officers Training Institute,Chennai
