How to Join the Indian Air Force as a Pilot After 12th
Not many dreams are aspired for as much as turning into one of the boys in the blue piped uniforms of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Flying down the skies on some of the most technologically advanced aircraft, in one of the world’s most powerful air forces, is a double whammy of experience and opportunity for service.
Becoming an IAF Pilot: The path towards becoming an IAF pilot is rigorous and demands a perfect blend of academic aptitude, physical fitness, mental acuteness, and an unwavering commitment to succeed.
This guidance will cover everything from eligibility and exams to training and future prospects for students who have completed Class 12th and are interested in pursuing this prestigious career.
Pilot in the Indian Air Force
The position of a pilot in the Indian Air Force is a prestigious job that demands much responsibility.
As a pilot, you are not only responsible for mastering the advanced aircraft but also ensuring security of the nation’s skies.
IAF has a variety of aircraft ranging from Sukhoi Su-30MKI and the Mirage 2000 in the fighter category, to transport aircraft like the C-130J Super Hercules, and helicopters such as the Mi-17.
The IAF pilot encompasses all of those tasks like to protect the airspace of the country, missions in combat, airlift operations, reconnaissance, etc.
Besides flying, the pilot develops leadership qualities, strategic thinking, and coordination with the team.
Becoming an IAF pilot means something other than just flying-it’s about leading, taking quick decisions at high stakes and working with latest technologies.
This is a career that demands much and, at the same time, provides an excellent mix of adventure, honor, and responsibility.
The pilot job in the Indian Air Force is a position of pride as it accommodates members who will be part of the elite force responsible for India’s sovereignty and also contribution to international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.
Eligibility Requirements for becoming a Pilot in the Indian Air Force
After completing Class 12th, for becoming a pilot in the Indian Air Force, you have to go through a series of eligibility criteria.
For this, academic, physical, and personal requirements are placed as candidates must prove themselves to be one among the many best placed and get rid of only the right skills, the right mindset, and the right physical capabilities.
- Nationality
You must be an Indian citizen to seek appointment in the Indian Air Force, whether as a pilot or otherwise.
- Age Limit
The age limit is pretty strict and varies with the kind of entry:
For entry via the National Defence Academy (NDA) the candidate must be between the ages 16.5 and 19.5 years at the time of applying.
-As calculated considering your 12th-grade exam, along with the dates given in the NDA exam notification.
- Gender
For the flying branch in the Indian Air Force, male and female candidates are eligible to apply in this particular branch.
The IAF, with some policy change, has now provided equal opportunities for women who might be interested in becoming pilots or seeking any other career opportunities.
- Marital Status
Applicants entering through the NDA need to be unmarried. At the time of commission, the officers are allowed to marry; the candidates who apply at the training and selection process are unmarried ones.
- Educational Qualification
The educational qualification demanded is as follows:
You must have passed Class 12th or equivalent examination conducted by recognised boards including Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
– The cut-off is usually a minimum of 50% in Physics and Mathematics the more you score, the better your chance.
– If applying under the other streams like AFCAT, Air Force Common Admission Test, then graduation would apply. But if applying after Class 12, the NDA route suits best.
– Height: For a male pilot, the minimum height is 162.5 cm while for a female pilot, it is around 148 cm. The height criteria can be different depending on the type of aircraft to be used.
– Vision: Eyesight must be perfect or correctible to 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other. Color blindness or any other ocular morbidity that impairs vision cannot be present.
– General Fitness: The students will be made to undergo a strict medical examination to ascertain general fitness, hearing, physical endurance, etc., relevant for a carrier as a flying professional.
Indian Air Force is known for strict medical fitness tests. Only those who come out fit survive.
The medical test will be conducted at various stages, and those only who qualify there will be eligible to appear for the next selection round.
Entrance Exams to Join Indian Air Force As Pilot
A candidate after clearing Class 12 must clear competitive entrance exams that test both the acquired knowledge and his physical and mental aptitude for joining as a pilot in the Indian Air Force.
In principle, there are two major avenues through which a candidate can become a part of the IAF:
-one of these avenues leads from the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the other avenue leads after graduation, which is the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
- National Defence Academy (NDA)
NDA is the most accessible and direct route for those who want to fly in the IAF immediately after Class 12th.
The NDA is a joint services academy of the Indian Armed Forces where cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force train together before they proceed to pre-commissioning training at their respective academies.
- Eligibility: Any candidate who has passed 12th Class with Physics and Mathematics from the recognized board can appear for NDA.
Students who are in the final year of their school can also apply.
- Age Criteria: You must be within the age bracket of 16.5 to 19.5 years to apply for NDA.
– Exam Pattern: The NDA is held twice in a year by the UPSC and is broken up into two written exams: Mathematicsand General Ability Test (GAT).
Subjects for GAT include English, General Knowledge, and current events.
– Training: After they clear the exam, candidates report to the NDA for three years of training and then further specialized training at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad for the pilots.
- Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
The AFCAT is another one of the very popular entrance tests for those interested in joining the IAF, though this route is more readily available for those who have completed graduation.
Thus, it is not a direct entry option available to students right after Class 12th, but it’s still an opportunity that can be kept in mind for students who would prefer studying before becoming a pilot.
Eligibility: The candidate, after the 10+2 level, should have passed with Physics and Mathematics but can even have an engineering graduation degree.
Age Criterion: For AFCAT, the cut-off age for a candidate to be eligible is 20 to 24 years from the date of application.
– Exam Pattern: In the AFCAT, questions include General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning and Military Aptitude.
Apart from this, Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) is done for technical courses.
– Selection Procedure: After clearing the AFCAT, candidates are shortlisted for the SSB interview and medical test.
SSB Interview
Once you qualify the NDA or AFCAT written exam, the next step of the selection procedure is the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview
. This is a multi-stage selection process that will test your mental, emotional, and psychological preparedness for a career in the Indian Air Force.
The SSB interview takes place over five days and consists of various tests designed to assess your entire personality, leadership qualities, decision-making ability, and psychological resilience.
Stage 1: Screening Test
Screening Test is the first stage of the interview process in SSB. This includes:
– Verbal and Non- Verbal Tests: These tests evaluate the logical understanding ability, along with problem-solving skills.
– Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT) : In this test, a picture is shown to candidates, and they have to write a story about the picture, in the minimum possible time. Then, a group discussion on the theme continues.
Stage 2: Psychological Tests
Candidates who have qualified from the first stage are subjected to a series of psychological tests to test the candidates on different dimensions of mental toughness, emotional equilibrium, and personality characteristics.
The tests used in this context are
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Word Association Test (WAT)
Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
Self-Description Test
Stage 3: Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tests
GTO tasks assess your leadership and team-working abilities.
Assignments will be comprised of group discussions, group planning, and other outdoor activities such as obstacle courses.
Stage 4: Personal Interview
Personal interviews are conducted by the senior officers for them to know what motivated you to apply, your family background, education, and reasons why you have chosen the Indian Air Force.
End Part is a specialized test to check your psychomotorcoordination and related skills, and decision-making with multitasking, which all add up to be a necessity for a pilot.
This is something that exists only within the flying branch and is attempted only once in a lifetime; if one fails the PABT, they cannot reapply for the pilot’s branch.
Final Stage: Medical Examination
Candidates are then put through a strict medical check-up to see if they meet the physical and health requirements necessary for a pilot by the Indian Air Force.
Qualification for Indian Air Force Pilot Post 12th
Becoming an Indian Air Force pilot after class 12 involves a well-defined process of qualifications and steps. In simple terms, here’s what you need:
– Academic Qualification: You should have passed Class 12th with Physics and Mathematics. Higher marks enhance your possibilities of clearing competitive exams.
– Entrance Exam
The best alternative route you can take immediately after Class 12th is the NDA exam. You will need to prepare hard and clear the exam.
–SSB Interview: The five day SSB interview tests your mental, emotional, and leadership skills.
– Medical Fitness: To be eligible to join Indian Air Force as a pilot, one needs to meet stricter medical and physical terms. It includes height, weight, vision, and overall fitness criteria.
Career After Joining Indian Air Force After Class 12th as Pilot
Once you have cleared the NDA entrance exam with air force as your choice, completed the SSB interview, and undergone the medical tests, you become an official member of the Indian Air Force to become a pilot.
Your very first step on this road is your training session which is strenuous yet highly rewarding.
Training
After completing their three years at the National Defence Academy, cadets are transferred to the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal, Hyderabad.
At AFA, training by cadets in all aspects of flying is experienced. This ranges from aircraft operations, navigation, and aviation technology to each safety protocol.
The training on basic aircraft follows; however, as the training advances, so does the opportunity to train on advanced fighter jets, transport planes, and helicopters depending on their assigned role in the IAF.
Commissioning as an Officer
On completing the training, you would be commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a Flying OfficerAs a commissioned officer, you would be attached to a flying unit based on your performance and specialization.
You could well be flying fighter jets, transport aircraft, or helicopters, depending entirely on the IAF requirement and your record of training.
Career Progression
The Indian Air Force is a very vast growth avenue. After attaining the rank of Flying Officer, rank promotion is available to the following ranks as well.
– Flight Lieutenant
– Squadron Leader
– Wing Commander
– Group Captain
– Air Commodore
– Air Vice Marshal
– Air Marshal
As with every promotion, comes increased responsibilities from flying units to several key administrative posts under the IAF.
You will be eligible for several advanced training programs, amongst which specially designed combat training, leadership courses, and international military exchange programs will form a great part.
Adventure and Honour
Being an IAF pilot is being a little different in life. You get to be part of that tight team that takes on some of the toughest and most exhilarating missions in the combat operation, rescues, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief works.
That pride of donning the Air Force uniform and flying the best aircraft in the country is something few have in the world.
Indian Air Force Pilot’s Salary Structure
The salary of the pilot in the Indian Air Force is very high. It increases with the post, rank, and years of service.
Along with this, there are many allowances provided to a pilot, such as Flying Allowance, Dearness Allowance, Transport Allowance, and so on.
The following is the overview of the salary structure:
– Flying Officer (Entry Level): ₹ 56,100 – ₹ 1,77,500 per month (Pay Level 10)
– Flight Lieutenant: ₹ 61,300 – ₹ 1,93,900 per month
– Squadron Leader: ₹ 69,400 – ₹ 2,07,200 per month
More Benefits and Privileges
More than the pay, check out these additional benefits that IAF pilots get:
– Free residence for you and your family.
– Medical facility for the whole family.
– Educational facility for your children.
Other post-retirement benefits. So that,
– Pension
Pay scale and benefits are such that the pilots in the Indian Air Force are grossly paid for their skills, risk, and responsibilities.
Career in the Indian Air Force
A career with the Indian Air Force is more than just flying.
The IAF offers you a platform for growth in both personal and professional ways.
You can join various leadership, training, and even technical branches once you have served as a pilot.
The avenues for career advancement with the Indian Air Force are numerous, with multiple specializations to select from. Some of the career paths that exist include:
– Command roles: Leads squadrons, and organizes air field operations
– Training roles: An instructor and would train the young upcoming aviators.
– Administrative roles: Manages operations, strategy, and policy-making.
Additionally, opportunities for further studies can be accessed through fully funded courses within and outside the country
. Indian Air Force fighter pilots have the chance to participate in international peacekeeping missions, military exercises with other nations, and advanced training programs.
Conclusion
After Class 12th, it can be a dream career to become a pilot in the Indian Air Force.
NDA will be offering you the first step in this thrilling and proud career through a training course of international-class standard, mastering state-of-the-art aircraft, and a chance to be proud of defending your motherland.
The journey is indeed tough, but the prize is tremendous: a career tinged with adventure, full of responsibility, and adorned with the honor of serving one of the world’s most prestigious air forces.
Moreover, the opportunities for career growth, leadership, and self-fulfillment are not to be mentioned as Indian Air Force offers great deals, including salaries and perks along with it.
People who want to fly must also have mental and bodily strength, along with a deep desire for the nation, that makes them suitable for a pilot’s career in Indian Air Force.
Prepare with passion, and get ready to take to the skies in one of the world’s most respected professions