Air Force is a very popular and glamorous career to choose and one can be trained as a Fighter pilot, Helicopter pilot or a Transport pilot after joining Indian Airforce. If you miss joining air force after class 12, one can after completing graduation. One can join the Flying branch through the Air Force Academy.
Given below are the three modes of entry for Graduates/ Engineers to join the Flying branch:
Combined Defence Services (CDS) Entry
This is the main route by which one can get a permanent commission in the air force after graduation. This mode of entry is restricted only for men.
Eligibility criteria
• One has to be between 20 to 24 years of age (at the time of commencement of course)
• Indian Citizen
• Not Married
• Men only.
Educational Qualifications
• Should be a graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level).
• Students in Final Year/semester students can also apply, provided they produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
• There is no Percentage Bar for CDSE entry.
The exam is notified by UPSC in the months of November and August.
For more details visit www.upsc.gov.in
NCC Special Entry Route
Candidates can apply online through NCC Special Entry. Both Men and Women can apply through this route. Both can apply to the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force
Requirement
One should be an Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ Certificate holder of the National Cadet Corps.
Details
Both Men & women can join the Air Force through this mode of entry.
Men will get Permanent Commission.
Women are offered Short Service Commission; men can also apply for Short Service Commission.
Eligibility criteria:
• One has to be between 20 to 24 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 26 years at the time of commencement of course.
• Indian citizen
• Unmarried
• Both men and women.
Educational Qualifications
1. More than 60% marks in each in Maths & Physics at 10 + 2 level.
2. Graduation (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized University with minimum 60% marks or equivalent or
3. BTech or BE, a four-year course from a recognized University with minimum 60% marks or equivalent or
4. Cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
5. Final Year/semester students are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any present backlogs at the time of AFSB Testing and produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
6. NCC Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ certificate and validity of the certificate would be two years before the date of advertisement.
Notification for NCC Special Entry is released by the IAF in the months of June and December.
Short Service Commission (SSC) Route
To apply for Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying Branch, one has to take and pass the AFCAT Exam. The Short Service Commission in Flying branch is for 14 years with no further extension.
Eligibility criteria:
• One has to be between 20 to 24 years at the time of commencement of course.
• The upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years at the time of commencement of course.
• Indian citizen
• Unmarried
• For both Men and Women.
Educational Qualifications
• Not less than 60% marks each in Maths & Physics at 10+2 level.
• Three-year course for Graduates in any discipline from a recognised University who have attained minimum 60% marks or equivalent or
• BE/BTech Four Year Course from a recognised university with minimum 60% marks or equivalent.
• Cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
• Final Year students are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any backlog at the time of AFSB Testing and produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
AFCAT is notified by IAF in the months of June and December.
AFCAT Exam
Air Force Common Admission Test or AFCAT is an entrance test for students wanting to join Indian Air Force as Commissioned Officer in Flying, Ground Duty (Technical) or Ground Duty (Non-Technical). This exam is conducted twice a year across the country by the Indian Air Force.
Thus, one should not despair, if you did not apply to join Air Force after class 12. You get another shot at it after graduation. Almost 400 seats in total are available for the CDS entry in all branches of Armed Forces. The seats could vary for Air Force each session. But one can join Air Force after Graduation
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