A promising career in Indian Air Force is a big deal for every Indian irrespective of where they come from. Indian Air Force is one of the powerful forces of the Indian armed force. It got established in 1932. Over the years, there has been tremendous growth in this sector. With an immense progress rate, ours is the fourth largest air force in the world.

Currently, we have about 170,000 personnel, 1,500 aircraft, and seven commands out of which five are functional whereas two are not. Because of the achievements in World War II, our air force got named as Royal Indian Air Force in 1945.

Indian Air Force is also the 7th most powerful air force in the world. A career in Indian Air Force is highly respectable, recognised, and dignified. Let us see the career options in this category of the Indian armed force.

Eligibility Criteria to join Indian Air Force

• Nationality: Indian
• Gender: Depends on the job
• Marital Status: Single

After Engineering

The engineers who wish to start a career in Indian Air Force have to give AFCAT and CDS exams. If they are selected they have to go through rigorous training programmes. On Passing that, they get commissioned as officers.

After Post Graduation

The candidates will have to give the AFCAT exams. Post this, the same procedure of training and placements happens as with the graduates.

Read More – Top 15 most toughest exams in world

Salary (approx as per the sources)

• Flying Branch: Rs. 74,264
• Technical branch: Rs. 65,514
• Ground duty branch: Rs. 63,014

How to apply for a career in Indian Air Force

It is the Ministry of Defence that takes care of all the recruitment processes of the Indian Air Force. Its headquarters is in New Delhi. Whenever there is recruitment news, the Ministry of Defence releases the notification in the Employment News along with the other leading newspapers of the country.

The candidates have to send their applications as per the applications in the asked format. The candidates must keep a check on the deadline because once that crosses, the applications will not be accepted.

For all the information, one can check out the official website of the Indian Air Force. 

A career in Indian Air Force

Flying Branch

As the name says, a career in Indian Air Force in the flying branch is entirely related to flying and pilots. All kinds of pilots are it the fighter pilots, helicopter pilots, or transport pilots get recruited under this department. Their work is not just limited to the wartimes but is more than that.

Their work includes raiding enemy bunkers, troops, air force stations, artillery sites, provide support to the infantry, help in disaster relief programs, do surveillance.

Eligibility – A graduate through CDS exam (men), a graduate through AFCAT Exam (men and women), through NCC special entry (men), and after 12th by qualifying the NDA/NA exam.

Technical Branch

All the technical and mechanical requirements of the Indian Air Force is completed by the technical branch of the team. From maintaining the aircraft to replacing the faulty ones to performing everything comes under this department, The technical branch is also concerned with designing efficient machines and giving them suggestions for any further changes.

Eligibility – Through the AFCAT Exam or the University Entry Scheme (UES)

Ground Duty Branch

The branch of the Indian Air Force that deals with the administration, logistics, education, accounting, and meteorology departments is the ground duty branch. All the financial and human resources that get allotted to the Indian Air Force gets managed by them.

The positions under the ground duty branch are fighter controller, internal auditor, handling the latest satellite imagery, air traffic controller, supervision of inventories, and many more.

Eligibility – Qualifying through AFCAT Exam

If you are interested in Indian Navy, you can check out this article. 

Pooja Singh

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