Flying Branch Career Options – Indian Air Force

Indian Air Force (IAF) offers you various opportunities to cherish your childhood dream of becoming IAF Pilot.

Flying Branch Entries

With IAF you can Touch the Sky with Glory by joining the flying branch. Following are the career options which you can avail to fulfill your childhood dream of becoming a Pilot.

NDA (National Defence Academy)

For admission to NDA, you have to initially pass the Written exam Conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) this exam is conducted twice in a year. After Passing the written exam you have to appear for SSB Interview and those who pass then sent for PABT and Medical exam. Thereafter if you are in merit list then you will be allowed to join NDA. You will be granted Permanent Commission through this mode of entry. Following are the eligibility criteria for this entry.

Age – 16½ to 19½ years at the time when course commences
Nationality – Indian
Gender – Male
Educational Qualifications – 10+2 With Mathematics and Physics. Final year students can also apply.
Advertisement ScheduleMay and December (Advt. Schedule can change)

CDSE (Combined Defence Services Examination)

For Graduates/ Engineers deciding to join the flying branch of IAF can apply through CDSE. You will be granted Permanent Commission through this mode of entry. Following are the eligibility criteria for this entry.

Age – 19 to 23 years the time when course commences
Nationality – Indian
Gender – Male
Marital StatusSingle
Educational Qualifications –

  1. Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) / BE / B Tech (Four Year Course).
  2. Final Year/semester students can also apply, provided they produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advt.
  3. No Percentage Bar for CDSE entry.

Advertisement Schedule June and October (Advt. Schedule can change)

SSC (Short Service Commission)

 You can apply for Short Service Commission which extends for a Maximum of 14 years of service through AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test). This test is qualifying in nature, on passing AFCAT you have to appear for SSB and then PABT and Medicals. In this entry, women can also apply.

Age – 19 to 23 years and 25 years for those holding Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA
Nationality – Indian
Gender – Men and Women
Educational Qualifications –

  1. Graduates (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized 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 recognized university with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
  2. 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.

Advertisement ScheduleAFCAT notification released by IAF in the months of June and December.

NCC Special entry

Those having Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate of the National Cadet Corps can apply through this entry and on completion of training, they will be granted permanent commission.

Age – 19 to 23 years the time when course commences
Nationality – Indian
Gender – Male
Marital StatusSingle
Educational Qualifications –

  1. Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized University with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have passed Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level.
  2. BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognized University with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
  3. NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate.
  4. 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 advt.

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

Note – 6/6 eyesight is utmost important for flying branch but if you have weaker eyesight then you will not be granted Permanent Commission however you can apply for SSC after having LASIK but with some terms and conditions by that you will be made a transport helicopter pilot.

About SSB Interview

Get all the latest information about SSB Interviews. Know all details about Screening, GTO, Interview, Conference, Psychology and Medical.

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49 comments

  1. I want to make a Indian air force pilot .can I join after 12 pass.My dream also make a pilot .I fan also Indian air force pilot.

  2. How can a girl become s pilot in IAF after graduation. Please tell me.

    • Girls can join IAF through AFCAT entry. Recently IAF started inducting girls in fighter pilot roles also

  3. Tell me the physical qualifications required to become a pilot in IAF.

  4. sir am girl i have passed my 12th with 50% now am doing b.sc (physic hons + chemistry+ mathematics ) is there any scope for me to join Indian air force in flying branch please help me

  5. plz tell me essential eyesight to become a pilot.

  6. meri eye side week hai kya me fighter pilot ban sakta hu

  7. I am a pre final year student of mechanical engineering.
    Please tell me about University Entry Scheme
    In Indian Air Force .

  8. sir , I have passed 12 with 68.6 percent marks from bihar board this year.Am i eligible to become iaf fighter pilot through nda

  9. Saurabh kushwaha

    Sir .my self saurabh kushwaha sir I want to join indian air force …but in my head a small bone has broken …everyday in my mind question arises i am able to become fighter pilot.,plzz sir tell me can i qualify medical..So i can continew focus on my aim…??????

    • Each and every problem is different only medical board that will examine you will tell your exact condition. But i suggest you to continue preparing for ssb

      • Saurabh kushwaha

        sir…mentally fit .physically fit .but bone is broken in my head small ..so i am able to selected ..for air force flying branch.???

        • The rules regarding medical depends on each individual. So it can only be decided by medical board. Don’t worry about medical just focus on clearing SSB.

  10. can i apply for both AFCAT and FCC flying branch?

  11. deepshikha kumari

    hi sir my name is deepshikha kumari . I have taken my 12th from jharkhand board and i secured 76.6%. I want to become a fighter pilot in IAF. I am 18 and i am about 5.5 and my weight is about 50kg. i will take admission in graduation with phy hns. i m physically fit till now. so what should i study for next three years and what exam i should give ? and what the eligibility criteria for girls to join IAF. Please sir reply me with all the informations because it is my aim and i want to get success in it .
    thank you sir

  12. deepshikha kumari

    hlw sir i also wanted to know about the fee structure n all and in how many year i can be the fighter pilot after cracking afcat? what is the percentage of girls in IAF? what should i do for the preparation of afcat? sir please tell me as soon as possible..

  13. hi sir my name is monu pal I have taken my 11th exam. i am eligible for nda 2nd exam. iam eligible or not for indian air force. i am study in 12th with pcm

    • In the notification of NDA it will be mentioned a date before which you will be required to submit your 12th class marksheet. Don’t worry about those things that are not in your hand just focus to clear the exam. Even if you are ineligible for one year then you will take the exam next year so why not keep preparing and leaving other uncontrollable things to rest.

  14. hi sir iam reach in class 12th .i am filled form nda 2nd 2017. i am eligible or not for indian air force for fighter pilot my dob is 01/07/1999 i have no marksheet of class 12th because i am in class 12th sir please give me your contact number

    • Candidates who are appearing in the 12th Class under the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination can also apply for this
      examination.

      Such candidates who qualify the SSB interview but could not produce Matriculation/10+2 or equivalent certificate in original at the time of SSB interview should forward duly self attested Photocopies to ‘Directorate General of Recruiting, Army HQ, West Block.III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi- 110066’ and for Naval Academy candidates to ‘Naval Headquarters, DMPR, OI&R Section, Room No. 204, ‘C’ Wing, Sena Bhavan, New Delhi-110011’ by 24th June, 2018 failing which their candidature will be cancelled. All other candidates who have produced their Matriculation and 10+2 pass or equivalent certificates in original at the time of attending the SSB interview and have got the same verified by the SSB authorities are not required to submit the same to Army HQ or Naval HQ as the case may be. Certificates in original issued by the Principals of the Institutions are also acceptable in cases where Boards/Universities have not yet issued certificates. Certified true copies/photostate copies of such certificates will not be accepted.

      In exceptional cases the Commission may treat a candidate, who does not possess any of the qualifications prescribed in this rule as educationally qualified provided that he possesses qualifications, the standard of which in the opinion of the Commission, justifies his admission to the examination.

  15. sir i am in class 12th .iam eligible or not for airforce fighter pilot .through nda 2nd.dob is 01/07 /1999 .

  16. sir I am a final year student doing b tech .please tell how to apply SSC.

  17. sir I want to become a Indian air force pilot plzz tell me how I become a pilot after 12th.

  18. I have passed 10+2 with 58% in Maths and 89% in Physics…Can I opt for Flying Branch through NCC, CDSE or AFCAT entries? Im an Air Wing NCC cadet pursuing B.Sc Physics

  19. sir i am in intermediate second year what group should i opt in btech to join in indian air force flying branch , what exam should i write and what subjects should i prepare for that exam . are their any reference books.

    • You must have studied 10+2 with Physics and Maths and then to join IAF you can write NDA exam or after Graduation i.e. B.Tech you can give AFCAT or CDSE exam to join Flying Branch of IAF. For more search through our website.

  20. Can i join IAF which is my dream…i think IAF is not a job its only a way of life…please some one help me to enter or join IAF at any branch….

  21. how to join IAF without NDA Exam. I am in 12 std.I love IAF.

  22. Hlw sir, I am Krishnendu Das from WB Kolkata. sir now I am 17 + year old.And I want to join INDIAN AIRFORCE…..bt a problem…… I’d know how to apply.Sir please can you tell me how to apply

  23. Hiii sir, I m Sachin Pathak from mp and I m 18yrs old and I want to apply for air force what to do.
    Please tell me sir.

  24. What happens after I complete 14 years in flying branch? Do I get shifted to ground duty or I have to leave Indian Air Force?

  25. What happens after I complete 14 years in flying branch? Do I get shifted to ground duty or I have to leave Indian Air Force?

    • SSC is for 14 years only. As far as conversion of SSC to PC is concerned the IAF authority will be in a better position to brief you. However, if you want to make a decision then consider that you will have to say good bye to IAF after 14 years.

  26. I have applied for technical duty ,but in the application form it is showing my application for flying.Will I be able to continue with the desired duty or not?

  27. Can BA student appear for AFCAT exam of passed 12th class from Pcm stream

    • A student can appear for AFCAT but he will be considered for Ground Duty Branch only not for the technical or flying branch.

  28. Can we go after diploma

  29. Sir i have passed 12th from commerce site and now iam doing b.tec and i will also join ncc so can i apply for air force pilot or air branch

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