Hi Anshuman,

Indian Air Force is a great and honorable pillar of our Defense and aspiring for a job in the field deserves the same respect.

Since as I see you have not mentioned your stream I will try to answer it the best I can.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has three major branches for employment:

· Flying Branch - As the name suggests, this is where you get to be a pilot (Fighter pilot, Transport pilot). However this branch is Short Service meaning you only get to serve 14 years as a pilot.

· Technical Branch - The person employed in this branch is responsible for taking care of some of the most advanced equipments and deal with the major technical parts.

· Ground Duty – Here the type of work is mostly management and analysis oriented.

Now for joining the Indian Air Force:

After 10+2:

The option to join the Indian Air Force after 10+2 is only available for the student who has opted for science as Physics and Math is a requirement given that they belong to the age group 16.5 years to 19.5 years on the day of joining NDA. For science students who want to join Indian Air Force after 10+2 have to appear for NDA and while filling up the form they can mention their preference as Air Force. After getting selected various physical and medical screenings (tests) are done to shortlist candidates.

However Commerce Students with can also apply for NDA but can only go for Indian Army.

After Graduation:

Through AFCAT :

That’s right; you can still get a chance to serve in Indian Air Force after completing your college, given you meet the age requirement of 20-26 years. Even the students who had commerce and arts as their stream in 10+2 can join Air Force (except Flying Branch) after their graduation To do so the individual is required to take the AFCAT exam (Air Force Common Admission Test).  AFCAT exam syllabus includes general awareness, verbal ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Aptitude. After clearing the AFCAT exam people who want to join the Technical branch have to take another exam EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test). This test consists of questions from 2 sections – General Engineering and questions based on your specialization (branch) during engineering. Many tests are conducted once the individual has cleared the written paper to test him/her physically and psychologically.

Through CDS :

CDS stands for Combined Defense Services. Twice a year UPSC conducts CDS exam. The age Requirement to take the exam is 19-24 years for Air Force. The basics of the exam is similar to that of AFCAT.

AFCAT vs. CDS :

·AFCAT is exclusively for Air Force where as through CDS and all the three service Army, Navy and Air Force.

·AFCAT allows both boys and girls to join the Air Force in all the three branches (Flying, Technicaland Ground Duty) where as CDS allows boys for Air Force flying course only and girls can join only OTA.

·The CDS exam paper is slightly tough in comparison to the AFCAT exam.

·The AFCAT requires the applicant to be passed in 10+2 with minimum 60% marks in Math and Physics and a minimum three year degree course from a recognized University with minimum 60% marks or equivalent CGPA.

There you go, I hope that I answered your query. If you have any other query feel free to leave a comment I will surely try to help ASAP.

Good Luck :)

Hello anshumam,

For the present age, to enter into the airforce,you have a chance through NDA. you can apply to this during your second year.

This would be a great opportunity to get into airforce with a best position at your younger age.

But this is not as simple as it is, it is tough task to qualify for NDA either considering written exam or ssb interview.

So prepard well from nowitself,you can know the portion of it in the official website of UPSC.You can look into that.

ALL THE BEST!!!