How to Join Indian Air Force?

Joining the Indian Air Force (IAF) as an officer involves a specific selection process. Here’s a general outline of the steps you need to follow:

Eligibility Criteria: Before applying, ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. These may include age limits, educational qualifications, nationality, and physical/medical standards. These criteria can change over time, so it’s essential to check the official IAF website or notification for the latest updates.
Types of Entries:

National Defence Academy (NDA): If you’re interested in joining the IAF after 10+2 schooling, you can appear for the NDA entrance exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- Combined Defence Services (CDS): Graduates can apply for the CDS exam conducted by UPSC.
- Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT): For candidates who hold a graduate degree and want to join the Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), or Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches.
- University Entry Scheme (UES): For engineering students studying in pre-final or final year.
- Non-Technical Entries: There are other specialized entries for Law, Meteorology, etc.

Written Examination: Depending on the entry type, you may have to appear for written exams like AFCAT, NDA, or CDS.
SSB Interview: Shortlisted candidates from the written examination undergo a Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, which assesses the candidates’ aptitude, personality, and potential to become an officer in the IAF.
Medical Examination: Candidates recommended after the SSB interview have to undergo a thorough medical examination to ensure they meet the required medical standards.
Merit List and Final Selection: A merit list is prepared based on the candidate’s performance in the written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination. The final selection is based on the vacancies and the candidate’s position in the merit list.
Training: Once selected, candidates undergo training at the Air Force Academy.

AFCAT exam overview

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a written examination conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to select officers for its Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches. AFCAT is held twice a year, usually in February and August. Here’s an overview of the AFCAT exam:

Eligibility Criteria

Age: Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years (relaxable for CPL holders up to 26 years); Ground Duty Branches: 20 to 26 years.
- Educational Qualifications: The eligibility criteria differ for each branch and are subject to change. Generally, candidates need a graduate degree in relevant disciplines from a recognized university. For detailed eligibility, refer to the official AFCAT notification.

Exam Pattern

AFCAT is a computer-based test (online) with multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- The exam consists of four sections: General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test.
- The total number of questions is usually 100, and the maximum marks are 300.
- Each correct answer carries 3 marks, while there is a penalty of 1 mark for each incorrect answer (negative marking).

Selection Process

Candidates who clear the AFCAT written examination are shortlisted for the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview.
- The AFSB interview consists of various tests, including Officer Intelligence Rating Test, Psychological Tests, Group Tests, and Personal Interview.
- The AFSB interview assesses the candidate’s aptitude, personality, and suitability for an officer’s role in the IAF.

Training

Candidates who clear the AFSB interview and medical examination undergo training at the Air Force Academy.

Syllabus

General Awareness: History, Sports, Geography, Environment, Civics, Basic Science, Defense, Art, Culture, Current Affairs, Politics, etc.
- Verbal Ability in English: Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion, Synonyms, Antonyms, Testing of Vocabulary, etc.
- Numerical Ability: Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Simple Interest, etc.
- Reasoning and Military Aptitude: Verbal Skills and Spatial Ability.

National Defence Academy (NDA)

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is a premier tri-service military training institution in India, where young aspirants are trained to become officers in the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy. The NDA is located in Khadakwasla, near Pune, Maharashtra. Here’s an overview of the NDA:

Purpose: The primary aim of the NDA is to provide integrated training to candidates from all three services – the Army, Navy, and Air Force – in their respective academies after the completion of their training at NDA. The idea is to foster jointness and camaraderie among future officers from different branches of the Indian armed forces.

Selection Process

Eligibility: Male candidates who have completed or are in their 10+2 (12th standard) schooling are eligible to apply. They must meet specific age and nationality criteria as specified in the notification.
- Entrance Examination: Aspirants need to appear for a written examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) known as the NDA exam. The exam is conducted twice a year, usually in April and September.
- SSB Interview: Shortlisted candidates from the written exam are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, which assesses their potential and suitability to become officers in the armed forces. The SSB interview is a comprehensive evaluation that includes intelligence tests, group tasks, psychological tests, and personal interviews.
- Medical Examination: Candidates recommended after the SSB interview undergo a thorough medical examination to ensure they meet the required medical standards.

Training

Once selected, candidates join the NDA for a three-year training program, where they receive academic education and military training in various aspects.
- The training at NDA is divided into six terms, each lasting six months.
- After completing the three-year training at NDA, the Army cadets proceed to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, the Naval cadets to the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala, and the Air Force cadets to the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal, for further specialized training in their respective services.

Curriculum

The curriculum at NDA includes subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, Social Sciences, and Computer Science.
- Alongside academic education, cadets also receive rigorous physical training and are encouraged to participate in various sports and extracurricular activities.

Overall Development: NDA aims to develop officers who possess strong leadership qualities, physical fitness, mental agility, and a sense of discipline and camaraderie.

Indian Air Force Group X & Y

Indian Air Force (IAF) Group X and Group Y are two different categories of technical and non-technical trades for Airmen recruitment. Here’s an overview of Group X and Group Y:

Group X (Technical): Group X trades are technical trades that require candidates to have specific technical skills in various fields. The trades include:

Aircraft Fitter
- Electronics Fitter
- Electrical Fitter
- Mechanical System Fitter
- Propulsion Fitter
- Workshop Fitter (Mechanical)
- Workshop Fitter (Electrical)
- Weapon Fitter
- Automobile Fitter

Eligibility for Group X (Technical)

Age: Candidates should be between 17 and 21 years.
Educational Qualifications: Candidates must have passed 10+2 with Mathematics, Physics, and English, and should have a three-year Diploma in Engineering in the relevant trade.

Selection Process

Written Test: Candidates are required to appear for a written test that includes questions from Physics, Mathematics, and English. The test also includes questions related to the candidate’s trade.
Physical Fitness Test (PFT): Candidates who clear the written test undergo PFT, which includes running, push-ups, and sit-ups.
Group Y (Non-Technical): Group Y trades are non-technical trades that encompass various roles in the IAF. The trades include:

Automobile Technician
- Ground Training Instructor
- Indian Air Force (Police)
- Indian Air Force (Security)

Eligibility for Group Y (Non-Technical)

Age: Candidates should be between 17 and 21 years.
Educational Qualifications: Candidates must have passed 10+2 in any stream with a minimum aggregate of marks.

Selection Process

Written Test: Candidates are required to appear for a written test that includes questions from English, Reasoning, and General Awareness.
Physical Fitness Test (PFT): Candidates who clear the written test undergo PFT, which includes running, push-ups, and sit-ups.

Indian Air Force NCC Entry

The Indian Air Force (IAF) offers a special entry scheme for NCC (National Cadet Corps) cadets known as the NCC Special Entry. Under this scheme, NCC cadets who hold the required qualifications and have completed specific NCC training are eligible to apply for officer-level positions in the IAF. Here’s an overview of the IAF NCC Entry: