How to Join Indian Air Force - Check 6 Best Ways to Join Here

How To Join Indian Air Force? - A job that gives you pride, valour, and proud privilege to make your mark for your country, what else can one ask for. One such job is getting through Indian Air Force. Bo Jackson once said, “Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there”. Aspirants who possess the charm to fly high in the sky by becoming pilots at Indian Air Force should know the ways to get inducted into services. By knowing ways to join Indian Air Force, applicants can compose their strategy and accordingly execute it. Aspirants should know that there are 6 ways to join Indian air force which is briefly discussed in this article. There are different entries as per the educational qualification to join the Indian Air Force. To know more on How to join Indian Air Force, aspirants can check the article below. There are a total of 6 ways to get commissioned in Indian Air Force. Candidates can join Indian Air Force after 12th class or after completing their graduation degree. Now let’s discuss all ways to join Indian Air Force one by one.

How To Join Indian Air Force?

Candidates after completing their qualifying degree are very curious in knowing different ways for how to join the Indian Air Force as an Officer. Here we are providing details of all the entries for which you can apply after the completion of your qualifying degree. There are ways to join Indian Air Force mentioned in the table below.

Know to Join Indian Air Force

6 Best Ways to Join Indian Air Force - Important Dates

Now let’s check eligibility criteria, education qualification, exam pattern and other details for all the entries one by one.

Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)

AFCAT is a highly preferred competitive exam to join the India Air force as officer. The exam is conducted twice every year. AFCAT application form is released in December and June every year. The selection process of AFCAT comprises a written examination followed by an SSB interview. The selected candidates after the selection will be commissioned in Flying Branch and Permanent Commission (PC)/Short Service Commission (SSC) in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches of Indian Air Force. For more details, candidates can check the AFCAT exam overview table given below.

AFCAT Exam - Highlights

AFCAT exam is conducted in February and September every year. Candidates must check the AFCAT eligibility criteria before filling the online application form. As per the AFCAT exam pattern test consists of 100 questions of 3 marks each with negative marking of one mark for every wrong answer. For more details, candidates can table given below.

AFCAT Age Limit

AFCAT Exam Pattern

As per the AFCAT syllabus questions will be asked from current affairs, military exercises, mathematics, English language etc. The test will be conducted online at various centers across the country. A detailed exam pattern of AFCAT is given below.

Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT)

Candidates applying for ground duty in the technical branch also need to appear for the EKT exam after the AFCAT exam. Candidates can attempt EKT in mechanical, computer science and electronics & electrical engineering.

Combined Defence Services (CDS)

After graduation UPSC CDS is the most common entry to join Indian Air Force as officer. The exam is conducted twice every year for the recruitment of candidates as officers. The application form of CDS is available on the official website of UPSC in the month of June and October. Graduate candidates between 19 to 25 years are eligible to apply for UPSC CDS. The selection process consists of a written examination, SSB interview and medical test. For more details about CDS exam candidates can check the table given below.

CDS Exam - Overview

CDS exam is conducted in February and November every year. Candidates who want to pursue a career in Indian Air Force must check the best books for CDS exam for better preparation. As per the CDS exam pattern candidates have to appear for two papers of english language and general knowledge while candidates appearing for IMA also need to appear for elementary mathematics paper. For the CDS age limit, check the table below.

CDS Age Limit

CDS Exam Pattern

Candidates preparing for CDS must check the exam pattern thoroughly for effective preparations. As per the CDS syllabus, questions will be asked from mathematics, current affairs, basic english, general knowledge etc. Check table given below for detailed exam pattern of CDS.

CDS Exam Pattern For Indian Air Force

National Defence Academy (NDA)

After completing the 12th class or while appearing in the 12th class, NDA is one of the most common exams among the aspirants to join Indian Air Force as cadets. The exam is conducted twice every year for the admissions in the National Defence Academy for various courses. After 4 years, a graduation degree is awarded to all candidates. The application form of NDA is available in January and June every year at the official website of UPSC. Check more details about the UPSC NDA exam from below.

NDA Exam - Overview

NDA exam is conducted twice every year in the month of April and September in offline mode across the country. Candidates who have passed 12th or appearing are eligible to apply for the NDA exam. Aspirants must check the eligibility criteria of NDA exam before filling the online application form. For detailed eligibility criteria, candidates can check the table below.

NDA Eligibility Criteria

NDA Exam Pattern

The selection of candidates is done on the basis of performance in written test, SSB interview and medical test. As per the NDA syllabus, questions will be asked from elementary mathematics general ability. The exam is conducted for two papers of 150 minutes. Candidates must score the cut off marks in both papers to pass the written exam. Candidates can check the exam pattern of NDA from the table given below.

Exam Pattern of NDA Exam

Indian Air Force Group X & Y

One of the best ways to join the Indian Air Force after class 12th is Airmen Group X & Y entry. The exam is conducted twice every year for the recruitment of candidates as Airmen in the Indian Air Force. Candidates can fill the application form of Group X & Y in January and July. The upper age limit to fill the application form is 21 years. To check the detailed eligibility criteria candidates can check the table given below.

Candidates appearing for Group X and Y exam must check the selection process of how to join Indian Air Force after 12th. The selection process of Group X & Y comprises the written exam and physical test. Candidates first need to appear for the online exam. After the declaration of result candidates who clear the exam will be called for a physical test at various centers. Candidates can check the exam pattern of Group X & Y from the table given below.

IAF Group X & Y Exam Pattern

Indian Air Force NCC Entry

It is one of the special entry to join Indian Air Force As officer after graduation. Candidates must have an NCC ‘C’ grade certificate with aggregate 60% marks in the graduation degree. Candidates will be called for SSB interviews on the basis of marks scored in the graduation exam. Qualified candidates have to appear for a medical test after the SSB. For more details, candidates can check eligibility criteria from the table given below.

IAF NCC Entry Eligibility Criteria

University Entry Scheme (UES)

For the final year candidates, Indian Air Force conducts UES entry for the recruitment of candidates as officers in the various cadre. It is the best opportunity for candidates to join Indian Air Force during academic degree. Candidates must note that candidates should not have any backlogs at the time of SSB interview. On the completion of the degree, candidates must have 60% aggregate marks to be eligible for UES entry.

Indian Air Force conducts recruitment drives in various colleges across the country. The selection process comprises a group discussion round. The shortlisted candidates from GD have to appear for SSB interviews at various centres followed by a medical test.

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