How to Join Indian Air Force? Eligibility, Qualification And More
Aspirants can join Indian air force by appearing in various exams such as AFCAT, CDS, NCC and NDA. Read here for more details on how to join Indian Air Force including selection process, training and many more.
How to Join Indian Air Force
The craving for uniform jobs of the armed forces in India has always been insane among youngsters. The craving for glory, pride and honour has always pushed youngsters to prepare for the armed forces.
The Indian Air Force with the motto, ‘Touch the sky with Glory’ is one of the branches of the Indian Armed Forces that fascinate the youngsters. Aspirants who wish to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) can fulfill their dreams by appearing in different exams conducted by the IAF under separate categories. Indian Air Force recruits aspirants through various exams such as AFCAT, CDSE, NDA and NCC. Through these exams, candidates are engaged in Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non-Technical) and Flying branch. Those who wish to pursue a career in the IAF need a minimum educational qualification of Class 12.
Most of the youngsters do not know about the procedure for joining the Indian Air force. This article will help aspirants to know, how to join Indian Air Force including eligibility, salary and many more.
- How to join Indian Air Force through NDA?
- How to Join Indian Air Force through AFCAT?
- How to join Indian Air Force through CDSE?
- How to Join Indian Air Force through NCC?
- Indian Air Force Salary
How to join Indian Air Force through NDA?
National Defence Academy (NDA), is the defence service training institute of the Indian armed forces. The NDA is situated in Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra. It is where the young cadets go through rigorous training and study to join the Indian Air force, Indian Military Force and Indian Navy. The exam for NDA is conducted twice a year-April and December. Candidates who have completed Class 12 or are appearing in the exam can apply for NDA exam. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for NDA exam.
NDA Eligibility
The eligibility criteria to join Indian Air Force through NDA are enlisted below.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Age |
16 ½ to 19 ½ years (at the time of commencement) |
| Nationality |
Indian |
| Gender |
Male and Female |
| Marital Status |
Unmarried |
| Qualification |
Class 12th with Mathematics and Physics |
| Exam Level |
National |
| Post |
Lieutenant |
| Conducted By |
Union Public Service Commission |
| Selection Process |
Written Test |
| Aplliction Fees |
INR 100 (SC/ST/Women/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from fee payment) |
Also Read: NDA eligibility
NDA Selection Process
NDA selection process is divided into two stages-written exam and SSB interview. The written exam comprises two papers-Maths and GAT. Candidates qualifying the written exam by securing the required cut off are called for the SSB Interview. NDA SSB interview comprises two stages. NDA merit list is prepared based on the written exam and SSB interview.
NDA Training Process
The cadets undergo rigorous training for three years and after completing their training, the officers are commissioned in their respective wings. However, the cadets who have selected flying and ground duty (technical) branches are trained for another one and a half year. After completing the training, the cadets join Indian Air Force as permanent commissioned officers. Cadets are also awarded degree (BSc/BA). Naval Cadets are awarded BTech degree after three years of study in NDA.
How to Join Indian Air Force through AFCAT?
AFCAT full form is Air Force Common Admission Test. It is a national-level exam conducted by Indian Air Force (IAF) to select the eligible candidates for the Group 1 Gazetted officers in Ground (Technical & non-technical) and Flying Duty.
AFCAT Eligibility
AFCAT eligibility in terms of educational qualification, age limit and nationality is given below.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Age |
20 to 24 years |
| Gender |
Male and Female |
| Marital Status |
Unmarried |
| Nationality |
Indian |
| Qualification |
Any Graduate with per cent of marks or equivalent degree with per cent marks |
| Conducted by |
Indian Air Force |
| Post |
Group 1 Gazetted officers |
| Application fees |
INR 250 |
AFCAT Selection Process
AFCAT selection process comprises online test and AFSB interview. Candidates who opt for the Technical Branch are required to appear for Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). The online test comprises questions from General Awareness, Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude, Military Aptitude and Verbal Ability in English. The written test consists of 100 questions for 300 marks. AFSB interview is conducted in two stages. Stage 1 comprises Officer Intelligence Rating Test along with Picture Perception and discussion test while Stage 2 comprises Psychological test, Group Tests and Interview. Candidates who have opted for the flying branch and have been recommended, will go for the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).
AFCAT Training
Training of newly appointed officers is conducted at Air Force Academy Dundigal (Hyderabad). The duration of training for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) Branches is 74 weeks and that of Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches is 52 weeks at Air Force Training Establishments.
How to join Indian Air Force through CDSE?
CDSE full form is the Combined Defence Services Examination. It is conducted twice a year by the UPSC to select the candidates for the Indian Air Force Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy (AFA), Officers Training Academy (OTA) and Indian Naval Academy. Both male and female candidates can apply for the exam. However, a permanent service commission is offered to male candidates.
CDS Eligibility
CDS eligibility criteria to join Indian Air Force are enlisted below
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Age |
19 to 24 years |
| Gender |
Male and Female |
| Marital Status |
Single |
| Nationality |
Indian |
| Qualification |
Graduate with Physics and Maths in Class 12 Level or |
| Conducted By |
UPSC |
| Exam level |
National |
| Selection Process |
Written Test |
| Application fees |
INR 200 |
CDS Selection Process
CDS selection process comprises written exam and SSB interview. The pattern of written exam for IMA, INA and AFA is different from OTA. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview.
How to Join Indian Air Force through NCC?
NCC stands for National Cadets Corps which trains youngsters to join Indian Armed Forces from school. Indian Air Force gives special entry to the students who are from NCC. The students who have a ‘C certificate’ get 10 per cent relaxation and the privilege to get to the AFSB interview directly. The eligibility criteria for the NCC students are enlisted below.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the NCC students are enlisted below.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Age |
20 to 24 years |
| Gender |
Male or Female |
| Marital Status |
Single |
| Nationality |
Indian |
| Qualification |
50 per cent of marks in Class 12 with Maths and Physics Graduate in any discipline with 60 per cent marks |
| Selection Process |
Written Test (exempted for cadets with ‘C’ certificate of NCC) |
Indian Air Force Salary
IAF offers a monthly stipends to candidates during the training period at the Air Force Training Institution. The salary structure is given below:
- Candidates get INR 56,000 as the monthly stipend
- The commissioned flying officers are placed in level 10 in the pay matrix of the 7th CPC (INR 56,000-1,10,000)
- The commissioned officers get INR 15,500 per month as pay for military services.
- In addition to these benefits, HRA, Transport Allowance, Children Education Allowance etc are admissible to the officers
- Other than this, flying officers get flying allowances and ground duty officers (technical) get technical allowances
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