How to become pilot in the Indian Air Force

Do you want to join the Indian Air force as a pilot?

Being a pilot is not an easy job. This profile is full of challenges that requires a good amount of strong will, courage, and dedication. If you want to join the Indian Air Force as a pilot, you have to be a part of the ”Flying Branch” of the Indian Air Force. There are different exams which you can opt for depending on your education qualification (after 12th or even after your graduation). In this article, we have mentioned about "how to become pilot in the Indian Air Force"? So given below are different ways by which you can become a pilot.

1. After 12th ( Through NDA exam)

NDA ( National Defence Academy) is an academy of Indian Armed Forces. The UPSC (union public service commission) conducts the NDA Exam twice a year only for boys appearing or just cleared their intermediate or equivalent. The NDA Exam comprises a written test and a personality cum intelligence test called SSB Interview. The candidates who qualify the examination will have to undergo three years of training at NDA, Khadakwasla followed by flying training at Air Force Training Establishments. After completion of the training, candidates are going to be commissioned as ‘Permanent Commission Officers’ or maybe posted as Pilots at any Indian Air Force Station.

Eligibility to apply for Indian Air Force through NDA:

(a) Only men can apply for NDA.

(b) Your age should not be less than 16 years and not more than 19 years of age as of the first day of the first month in which the course is due to commence.

(c) You should have passed your 12th class examination or its equivalents with Physics and Maths as your main subjects from an institution recognized by any Central/State education board.

(d) If you’re appearing for your Class 12th examination within the same year as the entrance exam, the you have to submit your mark sheet before the required date. Only then you will be held eligible.

(e) Candidates who have failed INST (Institute of Nano Science and Technology) or PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test) earlier won't be eligible to hitch the Air Force.

As you would like to urge into the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force, you'll even have to go through the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT). Please confine your mind that you simply can only appear for this exam once during your lifetime. This may include written and machine tests to judge you on the idea of your ability to read instruments, control of your actions, and mental strength. If you manage to clear the PABT and therefore the consequent checkup, you'll be admitted into the Air Force Wing of the NDA.

You can Learn how to prepare for NDA Exam by following an effective preparation strategy.

2. After graduation 

(i) Through CDS Exam

Combined Defence Services Exam is conducted by UPSC (union public service commission) twice every year for the recruitment of candidates in the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy. After qualifying the CDS written exam, candidates have to go through the SSB Interview and if finally selected, depending upon their choice given by the candidate and their merit list ranking students are sent to one of the following institutes.

(a) Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

(b) Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala

(c) Air Force Academy, Hyderabad

(d)Officers Training Academy, Chennai

If you want to become a pilot, you have to mention Air Force as your preference within the form. If you clear the CDSE and therefore the subsequent SSB interview, then you'll be admitted into the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad for your training. It is one of the most prestigious training institutions of the Air Force. Before you start your training, you'll be sent to a Pre – Flying Training school. Your Flying Training is going to be divided into three stages, each more complex than the preceding one. Once you complete your training, you'll begin your operational flying at the squadrons/units assigned to you.

Eligibility to apply for Indian Air force through CDS Exam:

(a) You should have graduated with an Engineering, Math, or Physics Degree. 

(b) You should not be more than 23 years of age at the start of your training. You will even be eligible if you’re appearing for your final year graduate level exams within the same year as long as you'll submit your mark sheet by the specified date. 

(c) It is to be noted that only male candidates are eligible for entry into the Flying Branch through the CDSE.

If you qualify written exam and SSB, then you will have to appear for a Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT). You can only give this test once in your lifetime. It will include written and machine tests to check you on your ability to read instruments, to check your control over your movements and your mental strength. If you qualify within the PABT also, then you'll be admitted to the Air Force Academy following a medical checkup. Upon completion of your training from the academy, you'll be a commissioned as the pilot of the Indian Air Force.

(ii) Through AFCAT Exam

Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted twice a year by the Indian Air Force recruiting students for the position of Officers in Flying, Technical, Administration, Logistics branch for permanent and short service commission officers. Every year a large number of students apply and appear for this exam.

Eligibility to apply for Indian Air Force through AFCAT Exam:

(a) Your age should be between 19 – 23 (unmarried) as on the 1st of July of the year of the AFCAT. 

(b) You should be a graduate in any discipline and should have secured 60% aggregate. Also, you ought to have passed Physics and Math in your Class 12th or in your graduation degree. Alternatively, you ought to have a B.E/B/Tech graduate degree from a recognized university with an aggregate percentage of 60%. 

(c) You should meet the physical requirements as specified by the Indian Air Force.

(d) It is to be kept in mind that you will not be eligible for this mode of entry if you have failed the PABT earlier or if you’re suspended from flying training at Air Force Academy.

If you qualify AFCAT written exam and SSB, then you will have to appear for a Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT). This will test you on your ability to read instruments, to check your control over your movements and your mental strength. Candidates who qualify within the PABT and therefore the subsequent medical checkup are going to be sent for a 74-week training course at the Air Force Academy. Upon completion of your training from the academy, you'll be a commissioned pilot of the Indian Air Force for the subsequent 14 years.

You must follow a good preparation strategy for AFCAT exam that will help you clear the exam easily.

(iii) Through National Cadet Corps (NCC) special entry

National Cadet Corps (NCC) is an organization that is responsible for grooming the youth of this country and inculcating the values of patriotism and discipline amongst them. You can pilot in the Indian Air Force if you hold an Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate of the NCC.

To join the NCC, you ought to be a neighborhood of a faculty that's related to the NCC. The NCC training will progress per annum and you'll move above the ladder as your qualifications improve. From the junior division, you'll get an ‘A’ certificate. You will need to enroll yourself within the senior division to get the ‘B’ and ‘C’ certificates. To join the Air Force through the NCC special entry method, you'll get to obtain the ‘C’ certificate. Please note that you simply can only obtain the ‘C’ certificate once you've got the ‘B’ certificate. You will get a permanent commission through this mode of entry.

Eligibility to apply for Indian Air Force through NCC:

(a) Your age should be between 19 – 23 years.

(b) You ought to hold a Graduate degree in any discipline with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks and you ought to have passed in Math and Physics in your Class 12th examinations or equivalents. Alternatively, you ought to have a four-year B.E/B. Tech graduate degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate, altogether in all the papers.

You will even be eligible if you’re appearing for your final year graduate level exams within the same year as long as you'll submit your mark sheet by the specified date and not have any backlog at the time of the SSB interview. 

(c)Most importantly, you ought to hold an Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate of the NCC to be eligible to enter the Air Force Flying Branch through this mode.

If you've got scored an A or B grade in your NCC ‘C’ Certificate exam, and if you meet the opposite eligibility criteria, then you'll appear directly for the SSB interview without undergoing any other entrance examinations. However, this doesn't mean that you simply are going to be selected.

You will need to impress the interviewees and therefore the final judgment is going to be taken by them. The SSB interview is going to be an equivalent because it is for the NDA. It also includes the Pilot Battery Aptitude Test (PABT) which candidates need to clear.

To conclude, joining the Indian Air force is a dream for many. It is one of the most respected and sought-after careers for individuals. Candidates who are aspiring to join the Air Force should keep in mind the above mentioned points. Good luck to all!