Opportunities for women in the Indian Air Force
Indian Armed Forces is a Prestigious career that one can opt for. There are many aspiring individuals who are patriotic and has dreamt of serving our motherland.
But if we talk about the Indian Army, the Navy or the Air Force, it's the uniformed men who control our minds, not the women. Here we will discuss about the various opportunities for women in the Indian Air Force.
While there is some awareness of job opportunities available to male candidates within the Indian Defense Forces for jobs, the same can not be said for female candidates. Contrary to popular belief, the Indian Armed Forces' three wings, i.e., the Army, Navy, and Air Force; all induce women candidates to key roles in the country's defense organi
The Indian Air Force is offering women candidates employment opportunities to serve the country by joining the IAF. Now, all three branches, i.e., Flying Branch, Technical Branch and Ground Duty Branch, are open to female candidates joining. The general definition of work and academic qualifications for various posts available in these three divisions are described below:
Flying Branch
If you had dreams of serving India as a fighter pilot soaring high up in the sky; you should consider joining the Flying Branch. All the aspiring Women in Air Force i.e. Air Warriors are recruited via AFCAT. Women candidates in the 19- to 23-year age group may apply for Flying branch in the three categories of fighters, transportation and helicopters.
Until June 2016, women were given the opportunity to fly aircraft or helicopters but not the fighter aircraft, limited to Female candidates. However, this year the IAF had injected its first batch of women pilots into its fighter squadron in a landmark step. For this branch the minimum height to apply is 162.5 cms. The academic qualifications for aspiring women candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Graduates: Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a total of 60 percent marks and graduated from a recognized university with a minimum of 60 percent marks in Maths and Physics at 10 + 2 level OR B.E / B.Tech.
Technical Branch
Expert and qualified engineers are hired by force through the AFCAT exam in order to provide technical support to the Indian Air Force. The IAF hires female candidates under the Technical Branch as well in two types of technical services as described below:
Mechanical:
The IAF employs an aeronautical engineer with a specialty in the mechanical domain for the mechanical engineering branch. For a candidate willing to join Mechanical Wing, the eligibility requirement is:
- Graduate: Applicants must have completed the 4-year B.Tech program from a recognized university with a minimum of 60 percent marks and qualification in at least 8 out of eighteen subjects as informed in the AFCAT notice.
- Via Examination: Mechanical Aeronautical Engineers who have cleared Sections A and B of the Associate Membership of the Indian Institute of Engineers or Aeronautical Society in regular courses are also eligible to apply to the IAF work.
Electronics:
If women candidates qualify for the following conditions, they can also join the Indian Air Force as an Electronic Engineer:
- Graduate: Applicants must have completed the 4-year B.Tech program from a recognized university with a minimum of 60 percent marks and qualification in at least 8 out of eighteen subjects as informed in the AFCAT notice.
- Via Examination: Mechanical Aeronautical Engineers who have cleared Sections A and B of the Associate Membership of the Indian Aeronautical Society or the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers' Graduate Membership Exam in regular courses are also eligible to apply for an IAF job.
For clearing the AFCAT exam, you need to prepare thoroughly. For that, you should be aware of certain Preparation tips for AFCAT
Ground Duty
Indian Air Force also needs many people to support their regular on-the-ground operations. To meet this requirement, the force has also opened up employment opportunities for all aspiring women in Air force candidates in the Ground Duty division. Currently, female candidates in the administration and logistics wing, account section, education and meteorology wing may seek employment with the IAF.
The women applying for the Ground Duty branch should be at least 152 cm high. The candidate's weight should be correlated with that. The general definition and educational qualifications required for these positions are as follows:
Administration Wing:
The Indian Air Force, like any other professional organization, also has a dedicated administration wing that looks after the smooth functioning of day-to-day business. Air Force for Women has this great opportunity where one may join the IAF administration wing via AFCAT if they qualify for the following academic criteria.
- Graduates: Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a total mark of 60 per cent.
- For Postgraduates: Degree / Diploma with 60 percent marks aggregate.
Accounts Wing:
Women candidates may also join the Indian Air Force account division via AFCAT if they hold.
- For graduates: Bachelor's degree in trade with a minimum mark of 60 per cent.
- For postgraduate students: Degree / Diploma in Commerce (M Com / CA / ICWA) with a minimum mark of 50 per cent.
Logistics Wing:
Much like management, the logistics division is also responsible for coordinating the Indian Air Force 's logistical and infrastructural facilities. Women may join the IAF administration wing via AFCAT if they qualify for the following academic criteria.
- Graduates: Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a total mark of 60 per cent
- For Postgraduates: Degree / Diploma with 60 percent marks aggregate.
Education Branch:
Women wishing to enter the Indian Air Force 's education wing through AFCAT should have a postgraduate degree in any discipline with a minimum mark aggregate of 50%.
Meteorology Branch:
Candidates (including women) are hired by SSB and not by AFCAT to the IAF Meteorology Branch. The Air Force Selection Board lists applicants for this reason, and calls them for SSB interviews.
- Age limit: Candidates will fall into the 25 to 27 year age bracket.
- Academic Qualification: Candidates must hold a postgraduate degree in any science / math / statistics / geography / CS / EVS / physics / geophysics etc. with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate and have 55 percent marks at graduation level in both math and physics.
This was all the opportunities for women in the Indian Air Force. Female candidates interested to apply for the same should refer to the complete details and also the official website of the Indian Air force for more details.