How to Join IAF after Pursuing Engineering

Indian Air Force is the most popular arm of the Indian Armed Forces. The main operations of the Indian Air Force are to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare. Many young people aspire to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) and serve their country. There are many ways of joining IAF after completed 12th, graduation, and postgraduation too. 

In this article, we have discussed three different ways of joining the Indian Air Force after Engineering. Candidates who have completed B.E/ B.Tech or any other degree in Engineering and want to join IAF can check this article to know how to join IAF after pursuing Engineering. 

How To Join Indian Air Force After Engineering

Provided below are the entries you can apply after Engineering to join the Indian Air Force.

• CDSE Entry(Combined Defence Services Examination)

• National Cadet Corps(NCC) Special Entry

• AFCAT Entry(Air Force Common Admission Test)

Also Read: How to Get into Indian Air Force after 12th

CDSE Entry (Combined Defence Services Examination)

Combined Defence Services Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The exam is conducted twice a year in the month of February and September. Both women and men can appear for this examination. However, women candidates are only eligible to apply for Officers Training Academy (OTA) via CDSE. The selection of candidates is based on the entrance exam followed by SSB Interview for intelligence and personality test. The candidate is trained at AFA before being transferred to a specialized flying training establishment. Some of the major highlights of CDSE are provided below.

National Cadet Corps (NCC) Special Entry

Candidates apply to the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force as an Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ Certificate holder of the National Cadet Corps. Both Men and Women can apply for IAF through this mode of entry. Notification for the NCC Special Entry is generally released by the IAF in the months of June and December. The training procedure of NCC is almost the same as CDSE. Provided below are the major highlights of NCC Special Entry.

Also Read:How to Crack SSB in First Attempt: Tips to Qualify CDS, UPSC NDA & NA

AFCAT Entry (Air Force Common Admission Test)

AFCAT is conducted for selecting officers in various branches of IAF including lying, Technical, and Ground Duty. The examination is conducted twice a year. Both Men and Women are eligible to appear for this exam. Through AFCAT, shortlisted candidates are trained as Fighter pilots or Helicopter pilots, or Transport pilots, and are part of various peace and wartime missions. Selection for AFCAT will be done on the basis of candidates’ performance in the written exam and AFSB interview.

For Ground Duty Branch(Meteorology Branch)

Candidates who have completed a post-graduation in engineering can apply for the Meteorology Branch. Permanent Commission for Men and Short Service Commission for both Men and Women are offered in this branch.

For Ground Duty Branch (Technical Branch)

Besides this, candidates can also join Ground Duty Branch(Technical Branch). They can apply for Electronics, Mechanical or any other branch depending on their qualification. Both Men and Women can apply for this branch. The age limit for this branch is 20 to 26 years. Candidates below the age of 25 years should be unmarried.

Candidates should note that earlier an additional optional, University Entry Scheme (UES) Entry was available to join IAF. However, UES entry has been discontinued. Candidates who want to know the details about all the branches of the Indian Air Force can visit the official website of IAF. Those who have any doubts regarding “how to join IAF after pursuing engineering” can ask questions on the Collegedekho QnA zone.

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