INTRODUCTION
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. It is the world's fourth largest air force. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict. It is under the control of the ministry of defence.
SKILL SET
• Aim to serve society
• Self-Discipline
• Physical Fitness
• Ability to slog hard
• Critical thinker
• Leadership qualities
• Team spirit
• Patriotic nature
• Integrity and loyalty
TYPES OF COMMISSION
• Permanent Commission: A Permanent Commission means a career in the Air Force till you retire.
MEN
- For Flying Branch
- After 10+2 – Join NDA
- After Graduation – Join through CDSE
- For Technical and Ground Duty Branches – Opt for Permanent Commission (PC) course through AFCAT and join Air Force Academy
WOMEN
Presently Women Officers of Education and Accounts Branch only are being considered for Permanent Commission. Option for PC will be considered/offered on successful completion of Short Service Commission (SSC) tenure, subject to Vacancies, suitability, merit, willingness and service requirements
• Short Service Commission: A Short Service Commission means a limited period career in the Air Force.
For Men and Women
- Available to graduate and post graduate entries only
- Tenure:
Flying Branch – The engagement period is 14 years from date of commissioning (not extendable)
Technical and Ground Duty branches – The engagement period would be for a period of 10 years. An extension of 4 years may be granted subject to vacancies, suitability, merit, willingness and service requirement.
- Marital Status: Candidates below 25 years of age and must be unmarried.
WAY TO INDIAN AIR FORCE
• NDA
• Eligibility Criteria
- Age – 16 ½ to 19 years(at the time of commencement of course)
- Nationality – Indian
- Gender – Men only
• Educational Qualifications – 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics. Appearing final year students can also eligible to apply.
• Exam Pattern: There are two papers with objective type questions
| Subject | Duration | Questions | Marks |
| Mathematics | 2 Hour 30 min | 120 | 300 |
| General Ability Test | 2 Hour 30 min | 150 | 600 |
Total Marks 900
SSB Test/Interview 900
- The papers in both the subjects consist of objective type questions only.
- There is penalty for wrong answers in Objective type paper.
- General Ability Test paper is divided into two parts – Part A and Part B.
- Part A has 50 English questions and Part B has 100 General Knowledge questions.
Services Selection Board
Stage 1
- Officer Intelligence rating Test
- Picture perception and Discussion Test
Stage 2
- Psychological Tests
- Group Tests
- Interview
Stage 3
- Medical Test
• AFTER ENGINEERING
- Flying Branch
- Ground Duty Branches
- Technical Branch
Second Route: AFCAT
- Flying Branch (Short Service Commission)
- Technical Branch (Short Service Commission and Permanent Commission)
- Ground Duty Branch (Short Service Commission and Permanent Commission)
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria
• Technical Branch
Education: Four year degree qualification or have cleared Sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with 60% marks
Age Limit: 20 to 26 years on 01.07.2017 (born between 02.07.1991 to 01.07.1997 including both dates)
Min Height: 157.5 cms with correlated weight,
women – 152 cms
• Ground Duty Branch
Education:
- Graduate degree (Min 3 years) in any discipline with min 60% marks or Post graduate degree with min 50% marks for Administration and Logistics posts.
- B.Com with min 60% marks or Post graduate degree in Commerce/ CA/ ICWA with min 50% marks for Accounts posts
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- Post graduate degree in any discipline with min 50% marks for Education posts
Age Limit: 20 to 26 years on 01.07.2017 (born between 02.07.1991 to 01.07.1997 including both dates)
Min Height: 157.5 cms with correlated weight, women – 152 cms
Candidates, who have failed the PABT test earlier, are not eligible for this exam.
Final year students can also apply for AFCAT 2017 exam given that they have secured 60% marks in aggregate with no present backlog and must be able to provide provisional or original degree certificate before commencing the training.
• Flying Branch
Education: Graduation (min 3 years) in any discipline with min 60% marks and have passed Maths and Physics as subject at 10+2 level OR B.E/ B.Tech from a recognized University with min 60% marks.
Age Limit: 20 to 24 years
Min Height: 162.5 cms with correlated weight
Min Vision: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other
AFCAT 2017 Exam Pattern
- The AFCAT will have of 100 multiple choice questions and each question will carry three marks. So Question paper will be 300 Marks
- The negative marking is applicable; there is one-third negative marking in AFCAT 2016 exam.
- For every wrong answer, 1 mark will be subtract as p
The AFCAT 2017 paper will consist of four sections:
- General Awareness
- Verbal Ability
- Numerical Ability
- Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test
After AFCAT Process
AFCAT SSB Interview Process: After qualification of exam interview will be done of selected aspirants
Stage-I This test was a screening test and only those who qualify would undergo subsequent testing. Those contenders who either do not pass in Stage I testing would be sent back on the first day itself.
Stage-II Stage II will have Psychological test, Interview and Group Tests and will be taken on subsequent days (Five Days).
For Flying Branch: CPSS or Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) Test would be organized for eligible candidates.
Stage 2: Services Selection Board
Stage 1
- Officer Intelligence rating Test
- Picture perception and Discussion Test
Stage 2
- Psychological Tests
- Group Tests
- Interview
Stage 3
- Medical Test
Third Route: Flying Branch
• CDSE (COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAMINATION)
Eligibility criteria:
Age – 20 to 24 years (at the time of commencement of course)
Nationality: Indian
Marital Status: Single
Gender: Men only.
Educational Qualifications
- 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).
- No Percentage Bar for CDSE entry.
Pattern is more or less same as it was in NDA