How to Join Indian Air Force After 12th? Process and Eligibility Criteria: With the motto of “Touch the Sky with Glory” the Indian Air Force has always played a crucial role in protecting the air space of India when times get tough. The IAF has carried out various operations that have brought a sense of pride and prestige to the nation and inspired the younger generation to become a part of the force soaring high into the sky and protecting the thrashing anyone who threatens the security of the nation’s airspace to the ground. Many young minds often find themselves lost at how to join the IAF after 12th especially after all the recent changes in the recruitment process due to the Agniveer Yojna. This article will brief you on all the processes that can be followed for joining the Indian Air Force after 12th and the eligibility criteria specified.
Join Indian Air Force After 12th
The candidates who wish to join the IAF after passing the intermediate examinations must understand the classification of the IAF into three different branches. All three branches cater to different expertise needed by the force to function seamlessly. These branches are:-
Branches of IAF
The Flying Branch: This branch consists of all the pilots that help in transferring different resources when needed and also engage in combat while protecting the airspace from intruders. They also carry missiles at times of war and fly helicopters that help in the rescue or deployment of the infantry.
The Technical Branch: The armament and all the equipment systems are handled by the officers of this branch.
The Non-Technical Branch: This branch provides services like education, administration, and logical as well as meteorological assistance to the other two branches.
Types of Processes Followed for the IAF Recruitment
Thousands of young candidates apply to be recruited into the IAF every year but only a few are actually able to pass the selection process. There are three types of processes that can be followed for recruitment into the IAF after passing class 12th namely the NDA process, the AFCAT process and the CDSE process. The eligibility criteria and the exam patterns are given below.
Join Indian Air Force After 12th by NDA Process
The National Defence Academy is the authority that conducts exams twice a year in order to recruit new candidates for the Air Force, Navy, and Army. To get selected the candidates often have to go through a very tough selection and training process.
The candidates who have attained the age of 16 ½ and are not older than 19 ½ are eligible to apply through this process. The candidate must be Indian, unmarried, and have completed 12th with maths and physics. The application fee would be Rs 100/- which is exempted for reserved categories.
The selection process will include a written that will have two papers (General Ability Test & Maths) and SSB interviews. After a rigorous training of about 3 years, the candidates will be appointed to the post of Lieutenant.
Join Air Force After 12th by AFCAT Process
The Air Force Common Admission Test commonly abbreviated as AFCAT is conducted across the nation by IAF in order to determine the eligibility of the candidates for Group 1 gazetted officers on the Ground and Flying Duty.
Candidates who have attained the age of 20 and are not older than 24 are eligible to apply through this process. The candidate must be Indian, unmarried, and have completed graduation. The application fee for registration would be Rs 250/-.
The selection process will include an online test that will have 100 questions carrying a total of 300 marks and an AFSB interview. The applicants wanting to be recruited in the technical branch must appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test. The online exam will have questions related to numerical aptitude, reasoning, military aptitude, general awareness, and verbal ability in English.
The AFSB interview will also be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 will consist of the Officer Intelligence Rating Test, Picture Perception, and discussion tests, while Phase 2 will consist of psychological and group tests along with interviews. CPSS is also mandatory for candidates who apply to be recruited for Flying Duty. After rigorous training that will last for 54 weeks in case of Ground Duty and 74 weeks in case of Flying Duty, the candidates will be appointed.
Join Indian Air Force After 12th by CDSE Process
The Combined Defence Services Exams are conducted twice every year by UPSC for recruitment in the Navy, OTA, IMA, and AFA. Candidates who have attained the age of 19 and are not older than 24 are eligible to apply through this process. The candidate must be Indian, unmarried, and have completed 12th with Maths and Physics and a degree in B.E/B. Tech. The application fee would be Rs 200/-. The selection process will include a written exam and SSB interviews.
The candidates intending to join IAF must have a distance vision of 6/6 in the best eye and 6/9 in the worst eye along with hypothermia of not more than 3.5D including astigmatism. The candidates must have a Myopia of more than 2.5D. No spectacles are allowed IAF.
The candidates can also join the IAF as Airmen – Group X and Group Y after passing 12th by passing an online test that will be conducted in two phases along with physical training and medical assessment. The IAF welcomes worthy candidates with open arms and the candidates have endless opportunities at joining the Indian Air Force after 12th that enable them and serve the nation. In order to pass the selection processes successfully dedication and thorough preparations are the only two things that the candidates may require.
