COMMISSIONED ENTRIES IN INDIAN AIR FORCE ARE DIVIDED IN 3 BRANCHES

1. FLYING BRANCH
2. AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING BRANCH
3. GROUND DUTY BRANCHES

DETAILS OF THE ABOVE SAID BRANCHES ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

FLYING BRANCH

(I)NDA(National Defence Academy)

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 pilots 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 years (at the time of commencement of course)
• Nationality- Indian
• Gender – Men and Women.
• Educational Qualifications – 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics. Students appearing in final year are also eligible to apply.
• Advertisement Schedule –  May and December. (Advertisement is released by UPSC. Visit www.upsc.gov.in)

FOR GRADUATES

As a Graduate/ Engineer, you 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)

1. Men can enter through this mode of entry and will get a Permanent Commission.
2. Eligibility criteria:

• Age – 19 to 23 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.

3. Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements are released by UPSC in the months of June and October.

NCC SPECIAL ENTRY(FOR MEN ONLY)
(Through NCC Air Squadrons / DG NCC)

1. 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 can join the Air Force through this mode of entry and will be given a Permanent Commission

Eligibility criteria:

• Nationality – Indian
• Marital Status – Single
• Gender – Men only.
• Educational Qualifications

Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised University with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have passed Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level

OR

BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognised University with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.

Final Year/semester students are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any present backlogs at the time of SSB Testing and produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.

• NCC Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ certificate.

 Advertisement Schedule: NCC Cadets are to apply through respective NCC Air Squadrons/DG NCC.

SSC (SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION ) ENTRY( FOR MEN AND WOMEN)

1. You can apply through AFCAT for Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying Branch.

2. Short Service Commission in Flying branch is for 14 years with no further extension.

3. Eligibility criteria:

• Age – 19 to 23 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 25 years(at the time of commencement of course).
• Nationality – Indian
• Marital Status – Single
• Gender – Men and Women.
• Educational Qualifications
  • Graduates (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised University who have attained minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognised university with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
  • Final Year students are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any backlog at the time of SSB Testing and produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.

4. Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements for AFCAT are released by the IAF in the months of June and December.

Aeronautical Engineering Branch

As an officer in the Technical Branch, you propel and manage your team to ensure that the Indian Air Force remains airworthy. You would be incharge of some of the most sophisticated equipment in the world by joining one of the sub branches based on your qualification.

General Eligibility for Aeronautical Engineering Branch are (applicable for men and women):

• Age – 18 to 28 years (at the time of commencement of course)
• Nationality – Indian
• Marital Status – Candidates below the age of 25 years should be unmarried

Entry into the Technical Branch is through two schemes, both via AFCAT

1. UNIVERSITY ENTRY SCHEME(UES)

• For candidates studying in Pre-Final year of B-tech/BE degree course
• For men only. Grant of Permanent Commission.
• Educational Qualifications: The candidate must be currently studying in Pre-final year of BE / BTech degree course with choice of subject as mentioned above. There must be No backlog / arrears of papers of previous semesters at the time of SSB Testing. On completion of degree, minimum 60% of marks in aggregate in all papers put together are mandatory.

Advertisement Schedule: December every year (through AFCAT)

2. AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING COURSE

• After completion of Engineering degree or while in your final year/semester of Engineering
• For both Men and Women. Permanent Commission (for men) / Short Service Commission (For men and women)
• Marks – Must have scored a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate in all the papers put together in any one of the qualifications listed
• Final year students are eligible to apply provided they do not have any present backlog at the time of SSB testing and they produce provisional/ original degree issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.

Advertisement Schedule – Advertisements for AFCAT are released by the IAF in the months of June and December.

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 Technical branch.

Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics)

Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) 

Ground Duty Branches

(For Graduates/ Post Graduates)

Managing human and material resources, the Ground Duty Branch is the mechanism that steers the Indian Air Force.

General Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty Branches

• Age- 20 to 23 Years for Graduates and 20 to 25 years for Post Graduates (at the time of commencement of course). Upper age limit relaxed upto 26 years for Law Graduates (3 Years Course), upto 27 years for CA / ICWA / M Ed / Ph D.
• Marital Status- Candidates below the age of 25 years must be Unmarried.
• Nationality- Indian
• Gender – Both men and women.

As a Graduate/ Post Graduate you can join as an officer in any of the following Ground Duty 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
    • Graduation degree in any discipline with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together

OR

• • • Post Graduation degree / equivalent diploma in any discipline with a minimum 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.

• 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
    • Graduate Degree in Commerce (B Com) with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together

OR

• • • Post Graduate Degree in Commerce (M Com) / CA / ICWA with a minimum 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.

• 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
    • Graduation degree in any discipline with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together

OR

• • • Post Graduation Degree/ equivalent diploma in any discipline with a minimum 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.

As a Post Graduate you can join in the following Ground Duty Branches.

•         EDUCATION BRANCH

• • Educational Qualifications – Post Graduate Degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.

•        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.

• • Educational Qualifications

Post Graduate Degree in any Science Stream / Mathematics / Statistics / Geography / Computer Applications / Environmental Science / Applied Physics / Oceanography / Agricultural Meteorlogy / Ecology & Environment / Geo- physics / Environmental Biology. All candidates should have scored a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in all papers of Post Graduation put together and should have studied Maths & Physics in Graduation with minimum of 55% marks in both subjects.

Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements for AFCAT are released by the IAF in the months of June and December