It is the world’s fourth-largest air force. It has a base at Tajikistan and holds a world record for rescuing the most number of civilians during a natural disaster. These are only a few of the many achievements which tell us about the valour and capability of this wing of the Indian Armed Forces – we are, of course, talking about the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The IAF was founded on October 8, 1932, and the force has participated in several crucial wars and landmark missions. With tasks and situations that test one’s daring, bravery, grit and never-say-die spirit each and every day, a career in the Indian Air Force is considered extremely prestigious and fulfilling. If you think you have it in you to be a part of the Indian Air Force, here’s how you can do it:
Class XIIth | After Graduation | Exams | |
Route 1 | Clear class XII in Science (PCM) | – | Clear the National Defense Exam (NDA) to join the Air Force |
Route 2 | Clear class XII in Science (PCM) | Pursue Graduation in any stream | Clear the CDSE/AFCAT exam and UPSC. Eligible to join through NCC Special Scheme Entry (C Certificate) |
Route 3 | Clear class XII in Science (PCM) | Pursue B.Tech/BE for 4 years | Clear Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) |
The different branches in Indian Air Force:
Flying Branch
Imagine flying a plane that can travel faster than the speed of sound, touching the sky, skimming over treetops, landing in unexplored areas – you can do all this and more as an Air Force Pilot. It involves serving the nation by flying in support of Army and Navy operations, para-dropping supplies to troops, engaging the enemy in the air, carrying out missions during natural calamities and much more. As a fighter pilot in the IAF, you can fly state-of-the-art fighter aircraft like the Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage-2000, and the Jaguar. The Indian Air Force also offers opportunities of flying transport aircraft, with planes like the C-17, C-130J, IL-76, IL-78 etc. You can also become a helicopter pilot and fly Mi-17, Mi-26, Mi-35 heli-gunships etc. Proving your mettle in the Flying Branch, you can rise up all the way to the highest ranks of Air Marshal and Air Chief Marshal. The sky is literally the limit in this job!
Technical Branch
Not many careers give the range and scope of engineering that the Technical Branch of the Indian Air Force provides for its cadre. Working on advanced technologies like highly sophisticated aircraft and equipment, weapon systems, communication and support systems is what comprises a career in this branch. The technical branch ensures maintenance and mustering of resources with respect to technical facilities from the ground to the air. As a Technical Branch Officer, you will join the Air Force in the rank of a Flying Officer and will be directly involved with engineering activities. As one grows in the service and gains experience, one is entrusted with additional responsibilities of supervising and training juniors.
Ground Duty Branch
If you think managing resources in critical conditions is your thing, then the Ground Duty Branch is for you. Everything from managing personnel, finance, material, creation of educational facilities for better Human Resource Development and provisioning of equipment, ration and clothing for the force to unravelling the mysteries of weather, and controlling air traffic is done by the Ground Branch. The science of management and administration originated from ancient armies managing men and material in the most adverse conditions of war. Such scenarios demand the best in quality of leadership and human skills.
Women in the IAF
The IAF offers Short Service Command (SSC) for women in all branches – flying, technical and ground duty. Age and educational qualification criteria are the same as applicable to male candidates in all the branches. In the Flying Branch, engagement period will be 14 years with no extension, and in the Technical & Ground Duty Branches for a period of 10 years which may be extended for four years subject to willingness, service requirements and availability of vacancies. Wing Commander Shaliza Dhami became the first woman flight commander in August 2019, and she is also the first woman officer to be given a permanent commission with the IAF.
For all you Air Force aspirants, a strong foundation in science subjects and a great performance in 10+2 will give you a strong advantage at cracking the entrance.
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1. Can I give AFCAT after 12?
No, candidates must have passed Class 12 with 60% marks in Maths and Physics and also hold a graduation degree in a relevant field. There is also an age criteria to be eligible for AFCAT of between 20 to 26 years, which varies depending on whether you opt for the Flying Branch or the Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch.
2. Is Afcat exam tough?
Candidates have reported that the AFCAT exam is moderate and not tough. With proper guidance and strategy for each subject, it is possible to crack AFCAT.
3. Can a girl join Air Force?
Yes, women candidates who are interested in joining the Air Force can take the AFCAT exam.
4. Can B Com student apply for AFCAT?
Yes, candidates from all streams, including commerce can apply for AFCAT.
Charu, a feminist and an accidental writer, is yet to master the art of writing about herself. Always curious to learn new stuff, she ends up spending a lot of time unlearning the incorrect lessons. She enjoys all sorts of stories – real, fictional, new, old, hers and would love hearing yours too. Feel free to ping her at storyweavers@byjus.com to share anything that you think is worth sharing.
Comments
Vanshika Rastogi
May 11, 2021
Please post a blog on careerscope of Indian Police Service and Indian Administration Service.
I will feel very thankful if you post a blog on this careerscope.
Vanshika Rastogi
May 11, 2021
A fighter pilot jets fly, stay in technology or work in ground zero?
Please post a blog on careerscope in Indian Police Service.
Arjun R K
March 11, 2021
I got an idea how to have a career in Indian airforce. But I was looking for one about how to become a politician.
Nehal Pohane
March 1, 2021
Can you please post a carrierscope in becoming a geologist?
Sanghita Roy
January 30, 2021
It was very nice.I want to become a medical officer of IAF.Please tell me how do I join as a doctor in IAF.
Ritushree Nandi
January 27, 2021
Pls give the career scope for joining the indian army
Avani pathak
January 6, 2021
It was very helpful and nice. Yes, I want to become a IAF officer in flying branch.
THANKS TEAM BYJU’S
Subha Dip Ghosh
December 29, 2020
It was great to me.
Nikhil
December 28, 2020
My goal is I join in airforce and I want to learn it
Surya
November 29, 2020
I want to learn it
Vishnu
November 10, 2020
Super
K.Amirthavarshini
October 14, 2020
Byju’s kindly post careerscope of army doctors …..Armed forces medical corps…it would be a motivating factor for me..
Prabhdeep Singh
October 14, 2020
Yes please
Hardik sharma
October 14, 2020
Can you give carrerscope for IFS ( Indian Forest Service) officer.
Shashi
October 14, 2020
I want to be a best engineer so can you also tell me about engineering
(。・ω・。)
October 14, 2020
it was awesome ! would love to see some more careerscopes in different fields o(*^▽^*)┛(*^_^*). also , can you all pls give a careerscope in medicinal biology ? please(●’◡’●)
K. Mohamed Nayeem
October 14, 2020
This is so usefull but I want to know about pilot so please can you tell about pilot carrer
Harshavardhan Gharal
October 14, 2020
Hii can you give the book name and some extra and how to stuy tips
Harry Potter
October 14, 2020
truely, i like to join the air force…….but cannot……?
Aayush Chored
October 13, 2020
Thanks a lot my dream is to join IAf and you gave me this information it is very helpful
Dhyan
October 13, 2020
My dream is to become an airforce pilot. I will work hard for it.
Thank you for sharing this information.
B H Patel
October 13, 2020
I ALSO WANT TO BECOME A FIGTER PILOT BUT I AM IN 6 CLASS WILL IT COMES NEXT YEAR
HARSH PATEL
October 13, 2020
I ALSO WANT TO BECOME A FIGTER PILOT BUT I AM IN 6 CLASS WILL IT COMES NEXT YEAR
Parva Shah
October 13, 2020
I will follow this advices as my dream is to become an airforce pilot
Reva Rajendra Karnik
October 12, 2020
I agree.!!!!!!!!
Isha
October 12, 2020
I am very interested in animation, so can you please post a career scope for animator
M. Kavyanjali
October 12, 2020
Byjus, i need to know about criminology and forensic science studies. Please include that in carrer scope
M.Trinadh kumar
October 12, 2020
I also want to join
I agree
M.Trinadh kumar
October 12, 2020
Can I join
Darshini
October 12, 2020
Sir, which exam is best to become pilot in Indian air force Afcat or UPSC
Dev Nikhil
October 12, 2020
This information is really useful to me
???
Siddhi Arun Kadam
October 12, 2020
This information is very useful but can team story weavers also post information about careerscope in biology other than doctors?????
Arondev
October 11, 2020
Hi
DEVANSH PRADHAN
October 11, 2020
I am very much interested in IAF so if i can get a complete guide line for this.
However the information given is very satisfying.
Rituparna Gogoi
October 11, 2020
My aim in life is to become a pilot in IAF… So how can I get more and more support from byju’s…. Will they support me…. To join in IAF… I read in class 9…But I have to prepare from now to join IAF… But in this career free counselling session… I am enable to fill the registration form… My home address does not match… So, what should I do now… Is the there any support from byju’s to me… ????????
Samriddhi Gaur
October 11, 2020
Thank you
Because I always want to be in Indian Airforce
Thank You so much
Tarun.H.R.
October 11, 2020
It is very usefull for kids who likes this oppotunity.
Yash hudinwal
October 11, 2020
Formation about air force
Tahreem
October 11, 2020
Can you please post a career scope of Marine Biologist
Abhi
October 11, 2020
Can you please post a careerscope in IIT technologies?
Shivakant mishra
October 11, 2020
How to join india airforce Give me all details.
What is his recruitment to applying in Airforce
Krishna Satpute
October 11, 2020
Can you please tell how to be an architect.
Prachy shinde
October 11, 2020
Yes sir I want to read about air force I enjoy to learn about air force
Prince kumar gupta
October 10, 2020
Post careerscope in civil services
Sai Kunthavi
October 10, 2020
This is something I was really looking forward too…Being an Airforce aspirant this is a really useful article…Thank you very much BYJU’S……
Ranu
October 10, 2020
May you make story about ips officer please
Sakshi Singh
October 10, 2020
I am very much interested in this career scope. I want to be a pilot in the Indian air force. Thank you byju’s for giving me such information. Student who are interested in physics and mathematics should select this as an career scope.
Yash Waghela
October 10, 2020
Can you give me the instructions to become a scientist in ISRO
Tanishka Raj
October 10, 2020
I have written this many times…… I wish the next careerscope is on this only
Tanishka Raj
October 10, 2020
Please write a carrerscope on Neurosurgeon or neurologist???
Krishna
October 10, 2020
I want to join IAF but I have myopia. Is there any branch in IAF I
Can join?
Anushka Khot
October 10, 2020
Nice information Byju’s
Loved it
Can you also post a careerscope in neuroscience because I am damm interested in it
Harsha
October 10, 2020
Hii
Parth
October 10, 2020
Thank u byjus
SIDDHARTH SOLANKI
October 10, 2020
What are the carriers,armed forces provides in medical fields
Samruddhi patil
October 10, 2020
Can you post info on future in buisness plzz
Deeptanshu12
October 10, 2020
Wow! That was awesome. I Like it ??
But I would be pleased if team story teller can also post information about rockets ?
Aanya Sinha
October 10, 2020
Nice info. ??
Mrunal Jadhav
October 10, 2020
Please make a carrerscope on how to become a commercial pilot in india. Eager for the next careerscope. Thank you
Mrunal Jadhav
October 10, 2020
Please make a carrerscope on how to become a commercial pilot in india. Eager for the next careerscope.
Mrunal Jadhav
October 10, 2020
Please make a carrerscope on how to become a commercial pilot in india.
Deepanjali das
October 10, 2020
I want to choose my career as AI… Currently I am in class 11
Reet Tiwary
October 10, 2020
Nice information, even though I don’t want to be in the Indian Air Force.
Siddhi
October 10, 2020
Nice information. But can you post about how can we become a paleontologist…..
Abhishek Pawaskar
October 10, 2020
The information is useful for all students those who are thinking about a career.
Haarika Y.M
October 10, 2020
Can you please post a career scope of gynecologist!!
Omisha
October 10, 2020
May you please make a careerscope for a scientist
Charisma
October 10, 2020
Could you please give all the information about an Aerospace engineering
Suniti Akansha
October 10, 2020
This information is very helpful and can you post a career scope in acting also
Ayush
October 10, 2020
It is very helpful thanks ..but please guide me how to clear jee
Facts Prime
October 10, 2020
And what if we are below 12 class.
Deboshree Chakravarty
October 10, 2020
I love this occupation. But I also want to be a paediatrition to treat cute babies. So, can Byju’s please send some information about that??
Thanks and regards.
Deboshree Chakravarty
Hrishita
October 10, 2020
Can we also get the guidance regarding Women in Navy ?
Shruti satardekar
October 10, 2020
Career scope in being astronaut
Ak
October 10, 2020
This information is very helpful for me because my dream is to join Indian army
Yuktha
October 10, 2020
This is a great information,thanks for making it so clear and interesting
Chaitali Malkar
October 10, 2020
This information is very useful, but please can team story weavers also post information about careerscope in Commerce field. how to become a CA? What studies I should do to crack the CPT foundation exam in first attempt?
I request you to share this information with me.
SUVIGYA
October 10, 2020
Byjus can you send career options for becoming professors and scientists ? What should I do to reach that position
Hema
October 10, 2020
That’s Amazing….Thanks Byju’s for the Information about Air Force…..You showed me a ray of Hope???
INDIAN AIR FORCE ❤❤
TOUCH THE SKY WITH GLORY ☺️☺️
Hema
October 10, 2020
That’s Amazing….Thanks Byju’s for giving Information…..You showed me a ray of Hope???
Sanehdeep kaur
October 10, 2020
Can you give me careerscope in judge?
Amrita
October 10, 2020
Can you give me all the information
about astronaut in detail
Priyadarshani Dhaigude
October 10, 2020
Can you please post career for heart surgeon ☺️☺️☺️
Thank you so much BYJUS for giving us this information
But please post career for s heart surgeon
Sarvesh
October 10, 2020
Can you tell me the all information about how to make a Doctor. Please tell me.
Lucky kachhawa
October 10, 2020
Great! This information is very useful. I
Want to become a fashion stylist , but
no idea about it .so, please byjus can you
Post a career scope in fashion styling.
Ridam
October 9, 2020
Can u please how to join merchant navy
(✷‿✷)
October 9, 2020
That’s a very useful careerscope. Thank you for that, team BYJU’S! Could you also post a careerscope related to Economics?
Kumar Shanu Singh
October 9, 2020
Please share some careerscope to get the guidance of PCB students to help us learn more about different jobs and careers in our study field
Meenakshi
October 9, 2020
Can you post the information about software engineer
PUNYA JAIN
October 9, 2020
Please give me career scope of Artist or of astronaut
Thx for this
Anuradha
October 9, 2020
It is a dream to be a fighter pilot. Thanks Buju for opening the sky in front of us
Please elaborate more on how to shape. The reading itself is highly motivating.
Saksham verma
October 9, 2020
Thanks
Vishal kumar deo
October 9, 2020
Can please tell me full details about ca in future
Saanvi
October 9, 2020
I really wanna be a doctor..but I dunno which category like if I wanna be a cardiologist or pediatrician or any other
So is there any information for me and the others to know which doctor can they become and how to become one?
Isha
October 9, 2020
Can you please post a career scope for animator
Ehtekaf
October 9, 2020
Please make a career scope on becoming
physicist
Niriksha
October 9, 2020
Everyone plz try to watch Gunjan Saxena the Kargil girl related to this topic…it’s awesome ?
By the way, thanks for the info BYJUS …
Pandey
October 9, 2020
Nice knowledge
Pandey
October 9, 2020
Good
Lavanya
October 9, 2020
Even my mother’s brother is in the Indian Airforce
Sai Samarth
October 9, 2020
Can you please post a CAREERSCOPE in Astrophysics, Astrobiology, Planetary Science
Ayushmani Kashyap
October 9, 2020
Plz give information about how to become
a space scientist ….
Harshada
October 9, 2020
Can you give carrier guidance in navy force for girls
Judith Ruphina
October 9, 2020
Can you give career advice for doctor especially for dentist and gynaecologist
Nayana
October 9, 2020
Routes which are given cannot be fully viewed. Can you pls correct it?
Krishna periwal
October 9, 2020
Really great description and content
B Doshi
October 9, 2020
Can you please tell the careerscope to be a doctor……a veterinarian Doctor…… please…..??
Atri pathak
October 9, 2020
Wow!!!
I love it……
Afifa
October 9, 2020
Thanks? for such a great? information
B.Rajlaxmi
October 9, 2020
Can u please? give the way? we can do? for future to being a doctor?⚕️☺️☺️☺️ ….
PREET
October 9, 2020
can you give a me all the information about that how to make a doctor in a future
Shaina
October 8, 2020
Can u please post a career scope in acting????
Uday Raj Khatri
October 8, 2020
This information is very useful but can team story weavers also post information about careerscope in biology other than doctors??? ☺☺