How to Join Indian Air Force is a big question for many aspirants. A candidate after passed 10+2 and graduation can easily join the Indian Air Force.
‘Join the Indian Air Force and be a part of something bigger’. This tagline is surely very popular for many defence aspirants as many have heard this multiple times. Joining the IAF and becoming a pilot or in the officers/non-officers rank after 12th or graduation has always been the main goal of every defence aspirant.
Indian Air Force currently ranks at 4th in becoming the world’s biggest Air Force. The IAF comprises of various branches and releases notifications for all these branches throughout the year to Join Indian Air Force for candidates of various educational background.
How to Join Indian Air Force after 10+2?
Candidates will have to apply and qualify in the National Defence Academy (NDA) Examinations in order to be a commissioned officer in the Indian Air Force.
After being successfully trained as an Air Force specialist at the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla for 3 years, candidates will be commissioned as a Permanent Commissioned Officer and will be stationed at any of the Indian Air Force Headquarters.
How to Join Indian Air Force after Graduation?
Candidates will have to appear and qualify in the –
- Combined Defence Service (CDS) Examination.
- Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) and from there, they can enter any of the three branches which is the Flying Branch, Technical Branch and Ground Duty Branch.
- Through Short Service Commissions (SSC) [for Men and Women] and National Cadet Corps (NCC) Special Entry [for Men Only] Scheme to join Indian Air Force.
Eligibility to join the Indian Air Force after Graduation
| Branch | Age | Qualification | Cut-off | Sex | Commission |
| Flying | 19-23 Years | Graduates (Three Year Course) in any discipline and have Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) | Minimum 60% in all papers put together | Male/Female | Short Service Commission (SSC) |
| Technical | 18-28 Years | Four year degree qualification from a recognized University OR Cleared Section A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) OR Cleared Section A and B examination of Aeronautical Society of India OR Graduate membership examination of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies. In addition to this there are certain subjects which should match with the subjects given by the IAF, which you must have studied. | – | Male/Female | Permanent Commission (PC) for men and SSC for men and women |
| Ground Duties | 20-23 Years | Graduate in any discipline. | Minimum 60% in all papers put together | Male/Female | Permanent Commission (PC) for men and SSC for men and women |
Broadly the above mentioned branches of the Indian Air Force has following sub-streams:
(a) Flying Branch
- Fighters
- Transports
- Helicopters
(b) Ground Duty (Technical) Branch
- Mechanical
- Electronics
(c) Ground Duty (Non-technical) Branch
- Administration
- Accounts
- Logistics
- Education
- Meteorology
We hope that this article should’ve provided you with great details about How to Join Indian Air Force. For any other enquiries, visit
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