IAF Officer Introduction Eligibility Application Procedure Selection Remuneration

Graduate's (men and women) can join the Air Force in either of the three branches i.e the Flying, Technical or the Ground branch. He/ she can choose the suitable branch and is required to mention the preference while filling up the application form.

Flying Branch

As a graduate, you enter the Flying branch through the Air Force Academy, which is one of the most prestigious training establishments of the Indian Air Force. Here you are trained and prepared for your responsibilities as a pilot. You are trained either as a Fighter pilot, or a Helicopter pilot, or a Transport pilot in the Flying branch. 

Eligibility criteria for Flying Branch:

 • Age -19 to 23 years
 • Marital Status - Single
 • Nationality - Indian
 • Gender - This is applicable to both men and women.
 • Educational Qualifications - Must be a graduate in any stream with Physics and Mathematics in 10+2.  

The following are the three modes of entry for graduates to join the Flying Branch:

 • Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)
One can take the Combined Defence Services Examination (conducted by UPSC) to join the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force. Men can join the Air Force through this mode of entry and will be given a Permanent Commission. Candidates qualifying the written test are interviewed by the Service Selection Board and if finally selected, depending on their merit list ranking, are sent to Air Force Academy, Begumpet, Hyderabad for orientation training.
Click here to know the eligibility, selection, application and Syllabus of the CDSE exam in detail
 • National Cadet Corps
As a senior division 'C' Certificate holder of the National Cadet Corps, you can apply to the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force. Men can join the Air Force through this mode of entry and will be given a Permanent Commission.

 • Women (Short Service Commission)
If you are a woman, you are eligible for a Short Service Commission to the Flying Branch.

Technical Branch

To join as an officer in the Technical Branch, you can apply for any of the Aeronautical engineering streams such as Electronics and Mechanical,  through the Direct Entry Scheme.

Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics)
As an Aeronautical Engineer in the Electronics stream, you will be responsible for the communication and signals required on the Air Force station. You will also be in charge of the execution of preventive maintenance and servicing of aircraft. With further in-service training, you could also move to the repair and overhaul divisions of the Indian Air Force. 

Eligibility Criteria for Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) division of the Technical Branch :

 • Age - 18 to 28 years
 • Marital Status - Single
 • Nationality - Indian
 • Gender - Applicable to both men and women.
 • Educational Qualifications :
B. Tech. in Radio Physics and Electronics from Calcutta University.
B.Sc. Physics with Electronics from Bombay University OR B.Sc. with Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry. 

You must also possess the following qualifications:

 • AMIE or equivalent qualification in Electronics/ Electrical/ Telecommunication/ Radio Engineering/ Avionics/ Associate Membership Examination of Aeronautical Society of India with Avionics Communication. 
 • A minimum of two years practical experience in the discipline of Electronics in a recognised servicing or manufacturing organisation.

Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical)
After you join the Indian Air Force as an Aeronautical Engineer in the Mechanical stream, you could be placed at a position that requires you to be involved with preventive maintenance and servicing of aircraft or of common user and specialist application vehicles. You could also be involved in the safety and maintenance of firearms and ammunition at an Air Force Base.

Eligibility Criteria for Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) division of the Technical Branch :

 • Age - 18 to 28 years
 •  Marital Status - Single
 •  Nationality - Indian
 •  Gender - Applicable to both men and women.
 •  Educational Qualification
You should have completed B.Sc. with Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry. 

In addition, you should also possess the following qualifications:

 • AMIE or equivalent qualification or Associate Membership Examination Part II and III of Aeronautical Society of India with Group I (Design and Production) or Group II (Maintenance, Repair and overhaul) subjects.
 • A minimum of two years practical experience in the discipline of Electronics in a recognised servicing or manufacturing organisation.

Ground Duty Branches

To join as an officer in the Ground Branch, you can apply for any of the divisions of the branch such as the Administrative, Accounts and Logistics division. The Ground Duty Branch is the Mechanism that steers the Indian Air Force by managing human and material resources. 

The common eligible criteria for the Divisions of the Ground Duty Branch :

 • Age - 20 to 23 years
 • Marital Status - Single
 • Nationality - Indian 
 • Gender - This is applicable to both men and women.
 • Educational Qualifications- A graduate degree( B.Com in case of Accounts Division) with a minimum score of 60%

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Administrative Branch 
As an officer in the Administrative Department, you will be responsible for the efficient management of both human and material resources. Some of the officers of the Administrative Branch are selected to carry out the  duties as an 'Air Traffic Controller' maintaining an orderly flow of traffic and airspace management or a 'Flight Controller' where you will be posted to an Air Defence radar unit and will be responsible for close contact and supervision between the air and radar for effective airspace management.

Accounts Branch
As an officer in the Accounts Branch, you are responsible for efficient management of funds as well as disbursement of pay and allowances to Air Force personnel. You will also act as internal auditor to ensure a zero-defect audit from outside agencies. To be an officer in the Accounts Branch one must be a graduate in Commerce B.Com/ B.Com (Honours) with minimum score of 60%. 

Logistics Branch
As an officer in the logistics department, you will undertake material management of all Air Force resources. From clothing to aircraft equipment, you will ensure efficient supervision of inventories, and availability of necessary items to all operators and users.