3 ways to enter the Indian Airforce after completing your B. Tech graduations

Defending one's nation has a different charm. Be it the army, navy or air force, you need determination, rigorous training and skills to join this career road. Amongst these three, air force is one of the most popular and glamorous careers. You can join the air force just after completing class 12 or after completing your graduation. In recent times there has been a spike on the number of Engineers who are seeking to enter this career field. You can become a Fighter pilot, or a Transport pilot and even a Helicopter pilot after entering the Indian Airforce.

If you are an Engineer and extremely interested to join Airforce after completing your B.Tech Graduations, then here are the three ways -

Combined Defence Services (CDS) entry - It is one of the basic and main modes of entry into the flying branch of defence. You can get a permanent commission in the air force after graduation through this exam. However, this mode of entry is strictly restricted to males. If you are an unmarried, male Indian citizen with age between 20 to 24 years (at the time of the commencement of course) then you are eligible for the exam. Also, you should have a B. Tech graduation certificate or be a Final Year/ semester student with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level to appear for the exam. There is no percentage bar for the entry exam and is informed by the UPSC in the website www.upsc.gov.in during November and August.

NCC Special entry mode - This exam is open for both male and female candidates who are eager to join Indian Airforce. One of the main requirements for this entry route is that you should be an Air Wing Senior Division 'C' Certificate holder of the National Cadet Corps. While males get Permanent Commission, females are offered Short Service Commission. However, men can also apply for Short Service Commission. An unmarried candidate, Indian citizen between age 20 to 24 years at the time of commencement of the course are eligible. Also, candidates who have Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA can get a relaxation up to 26 years of age at the commencement of course. For the educational qualification, B. Tech students must have 60% marks in each Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level and must be pursuing or completed Engineering from a recognized University with minimum 60% marks. Students who have cleared Section A& B examinations of Associate Membership of Institute of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with minimum 60% marks are also eligible. Moreover, final Year/semester students can apply provided with the fact that they don't have any backlogs at the time of AFSB testing and can show certificate issued by the University at that time. The entry exam and is informed by the IAF in June and December.

Short Service Commission (SSC) entry procedure -In case you are trying to apply for the SSC to enter Airforce, then you have to pass the AFCAT exam first. The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is for the candidates who want to enter this Flying Force as a Commissioned Officer in Ground Duty (Technical) or Ground Duty (Non-Technical). The Short Service Commission for Airforce is for 14 years with no extension. The age criteria and educational qualifications are the same as that of the NCC Special entry mode exam. The AFCAT exam is notified by IAF in June and December.

The benefits of becoming an air force officer are as follows -