How to Become a Pilot in the Indian Air Force?

By Saurabh Sir Last updated Oct 12, 2022

Many young people have the aspirational career of joining the Indian Air Force. A career as a pilot not only provides lucrative pay but also exposes you to many different situations and broadens your experience. Knowing what goes into preparation might aid in your planning and decision-making. We go over the various entrance examinations, requirements, and admission processes in this post to help you understand how to become a pilot in the Indian Air Force.

How to become an Indian Air Force Pilot?

Table of Contents

Both male and female candidates fill out the application form every year to join the Indian Air Force as a pilot. If you are dreaming to work as a pilot in the Indian Air Force, then you have to fill out some important application forms related to the Indian Armed Forces. In today’s article, we are going to give you information about those applications of the Armed Forces, applying in which you can fulfil your dream of How to become an Indian Air Force Pilot.

To become a pilot in the Indian Air Force, candidates have four types of entry. There are different types of eligibility criteria for each of the entries. Below, we are going to give you information about the eligibility requirements for each entry. You can join Indian Air Force as Pilot Officer by applying for any entry as per your wish.

To become a Pilot in Indian Air Force you need to submit your application form for any one of the following application forms.

AFCAT (Airforce Common Admission Test)
NDA Exam (National Defence Academy)
CDSE (Combined Defence Services)
NCC Special Entry (National Cadet Corps)

How to Join Indian Air Force as a Pilot?

Candidates who want to work in this industry must understand how to become pilots in the Indian Air Force. Let’s look at an overview of how to become a pilot in the Indian Air Force before reviewing the numerous tests to enter this profession. Discipline, effort, and preparation are required to join the Indian Air Force. To enter this field, good preparation is crucial. The most common exams to join the Indian Air Force as a pilot are as follows:

AFCAT (Airforce Common Admission Test)

Candidates can apply for a Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying Branch through the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT). There will not be any additional extensions to the Flying branch’s 14-year short service commission. Candidates must have at least a 60% average in math and physics at the 10+2 level.

Graduates from recognised universities in any discipline (a three-year programme) or BE/B Tech graduates (a four-year programme) with a minimum GPA of 60% are also necessary. The IAF publishes the AFCAT advertising throughout the months of June and December.

Become an Indian Air Force Pilot By AFCAT Exam:

To be a Pilot or Fighter Pilot in the Indian Air force, you must match the Following Eligibility Criteria. You can check in the bulletin below:

To join the Flying Branch of IAF through the AFCAT Examination. A candidate must have done graduation.
If the Candidate is in the final year of graduation can also appear for the examination.
A candidate must have physics and Mathematics in class 12th.
The Age of candidate must be between 19 years old to 24 years old.
This application form is published by the Indian Air Force twice a year.
This application form can be done by both men and women.
The nationality of the candidate should be Indian to fill out the application form.
Apart from this, any candidate who is related to the following fields can also fill out this application form.
If you belong to the friendly countries of India like Bhutan, Nepal, Uganda, etc., you can still fill out this application form.
Tibetan Refugee who settled in Permanent India after 1 January 1962.
Therefore, women candidates who are Indian but have settled in Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Vietnam, Campaign, etc. can also apply for this application form.
In this examination, a written examination is organized in which the qualified candidate is selected for the SSB interview.
Also, the candidates who qualify for the SSB interview are sent to the Indian Academy for training.
After the completion of the course, the candidates are commissioned and posted in the prescribed branch.

2. NDA Exam (National Defence Academy)

Hence, the UPSC conducts the NDA twice a year. 10+2 with physics and maths is necessary for admission to the IAF’s Flying Branch through NDA. Shortlisted candidates for the Indian Air Force must complete a demanding three-year training programme at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla before receiving specialised instruction at one of the AF Training Establishments.

Moreover, a candidate who successfully completes the programme will be appointed as Permanent Commission Officer and posted as a pilot at Air Force Stations located all throughout the nation.

Become an Indian Air Force Pilot by NDA Exam:-

This application form is published by the UPSC twice a year.
This application form can be done by both men and women.
The nationality of the candidate should be Indian to fill out the application form.
To apply, the candidate has to pass the 12th class with Physics and Mathematics.
If you are a student of class 12th or have passed class 12th sometime back then you can fill out this application.
It is mandatory to have a minimum of 60% marks in the 12th class to apply.
The age limit to fill out this application form is between 16.5 to 19 years.
Apart from this, any candidate who is related to the following region can also fill out this application form.
If you belong to the friendly countries of India like Bhutan, Nepal, Uganda, etc., you can still fill out this application form.
Tibetan Refugee who settled in Permanent India after 1 January 1962.
Women candidates who are Indian but have settled in Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Vietnam, Campaign, etc. can also apply for this application form.
In this examination, a written examination is organized in which the qualified candidate is selected for an SSB interview.
The candidates who qualify for the SSB interview are sent to the Indian Academy for training.
After the completion of the course, the candidates are commissioned and posted in the prescribed branch.

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3. Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)

Also, the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE), which is required for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy, is administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year.

Although to obtain a Permanent Commission, one must complete training after passing the exam. In order to take the exam, candidates must meet all UPSC eligibility requirements. Graduates (three-year course) in any discipline from an accredited university are required.

Physics and math at the 10+2 level are also a must. Only men are allowed to take this exam, and there is no minimum % needed for CDS entrance. The CDS recruitment announcement is made by UPSC in the months of November and August.

Become an Indian Air Force Pilot by CDSE Exam:-

This application form is published by the UPSC twice a year.
This application form can be done by both men and women.
The nationality of the candidate should be Indian to fill out the application form.
To apply, the candidate has to pass the Graduation with an engineering.
If you are a student of Graduationlast semester or have passed Graduationsometime back then you can fill out this application.
It is mandatory to have a minimum of 60% marks in the Graduation application.
The age limit to fill out this application form is between 19 to 24 years.
Apart from this, any candidate who is related to the following fields can also fill out this application form.
If you belong to the friendly countries of India like Bhutan, Nepal, Uganda, etc., you can still fill out this application form.
Tibetan Refugee who settled in Permanent India after 1 January 1962.
Women candidates who are Indian but have settled in Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Vietnam, Campaign, etc. can also apply for this application form.
In this examination, a written examination is organized in which the qualified candidate is selected for an SSB interview.
The candidates who qualify for the SSB interview are sent to the Indian Academy for training.
After the completion of the course, the candidates are commissioned and posted in the prescribed branch.

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4. National Cadet Corps (NCC) Special Entry

For this particular entrance, where they will receive “Permanent Commission Officers” posts, both men and women are eligible. One may apply to the Indian Air Force’s Flying Branch if they hold an Air Wing Senior Division “C” Certificate from the National Cadet Corps. Men can apply for Permanent Commission, whereas both men and women can apply for Short Service Commission.

Therefore, the National Cadet Corps Directorate General or the relevant NCC Air Squadrons will handle the recruitment. Although, graduates (a three-year programme) or BE/B Tech (a four-year programme) in any discipline from an accredited university are necessary, along with a minimum grade point average of 60% or equivalent. Hence, the IAF publishes the announcement for NCC special entrance in the months of June and December.

Become an Indian Air Force Pilot by NCC Special Entry Exam

Let us now know which eligibility criteria you have to fulfil to fill out the application form under NCC Special Entry. There is a simple and easy process to join the Indian Air Force as a pilot under the NCC Special Entry Scheme. During this, you have to fulfil the following primary conditions.

The candidate must be an Indian, or the candidate should be a resident of the friendly country of India.
This application form is published by Indian Air Force only once a year.
Candidate must have passed B grade in NCC “C” certificate issued by NCC.
If you have an engineering degree such as BE or B Tech degree which was completed before January 2022, it is mandatory to have certificates.
The candidate age limit should be between a minimum of 19 years and a maximum of 24 years while filling out the application form.
That is, the candidate should not be born earlier than 2nd January 1997 and not later than 1st January 2002 (both dates inclusive).
Both male and female candidates can fill out this application form.
This is a direct entry.
In this, the candidate is selected for SSB on the basis of the merit list.
The candidates who qualify for the SSB interview are provided with an appointment after the course.

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Although, the candidates can prepare for the NDA SSB interview with Major Kalshi Classes. It is the Best NDA coaching in Allahabad. Moreover, for the best NDA preparation in Prayagraj, take admission to Major Kalshi Classes. Some of the features that make MKC the best are as follows:

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