Indian Air Force as a pilot after engineering

Hi I have completed engineering can I eligible to join Indian Air Force as a pilot?

[Quick Sam]

Yeah you can apply for pilot post in Indian Air Force after engineering. To join Indian Air Force as a pilot firstly you have to appear in either NDA or CDS exam.

NDA & CDS Exam-

NDA exam is conducted by UPSC.
Students must have at least 10+2 standard to be eligible to appear for this exam.
The exam is conducted twice a year usually in the months of April and September.
Age must be between 16-1/2 years to 19 years

CDS exam is also conducted by UPSC.
Graduates are eligible to appear to this exam. Candidates are further selected for the next round of selection, the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT).
Age must be between 19 years to 23 years

Eligibility Criteria-

BE/B. Tech with minimum of 60% aggregate in any discipline and must have pursued Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level.
Final year students can also apply.
There will be an interview/ personality test conducted to the medical tests.

You must be in complete health, both mentally and physically in all aspects- i.e.
One must have Eye-sight with an accurate 6/6 vision, correct weight etc.

Air Force Pilot Career Options-

Once inducted in the IAF as pilot you can move on to the following given position with the ability and experience of your services.

Flying Officer
Flight Lieutenant
Squadron Leader
Wing Commander
Group Captain
Air Commodore
Air Vice Marshal
Air Marshal
Air Chief Marshal- Top most post of Indian Air Force-

Air Force Pilot Salary-

Indian Air Force Pilots are one of the highly paid personnel in the armed forces.
Even during the training they start earning a monthly stipend of Rs.21,000.

After commissioning as a Flying Officer they are entitled to the following Pay/Allowances

Pay in Pay Band(Common to all Branches) Rs.15,600 Per Month(The officer will be placed in PB 3 – 15600-39100)
Grade Pay Rs.5400 PM
Military Service Pay Rs.6000 PM
Dearness Allowances @ 35 Percent Rs.9450 PM
Kit Maintenance Allowance Rs.400 PM
Transport Allowance Rs.3200 + DA (major cities)/Rs. 1600+ DA (Other cities)
Flying Allowance @ Rs 9000 PM
Total Approximately Rs.50,170 as the gross amount to start with.

I have completed Graduation in Engineering and want to join Indian Air Force as a Pilot . Will you please provide the information regarding the Eligibility required to become Indian Air Force Pilot ?

[Arun Vats]

As you have completed Graduation in Engineering and want to join Indian Air Force as a Pilot then you can join through following ways.

Engineering Graduates can join the flying branch as a pilot by joining the "Air Force Academy" in any of the following ways:

CDS (for men only)

UPSC organizes the CDS Exam for admission to either one from Indian Military Academy / Indian Naval Academy/ Air Force Academy (AFA).

After completion of training from AFA, candidates get permanent commission as pilots.

NCC Special entry (for men only)

Engineering Graduates can apply to the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force if you are an Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ Certificate holder of the NCC .

Only men can join the Air Force through this mode of entry and will be given a Permanent Commission.

AFCAT (for men & women)

AFCAT allows both men & women to get into the flying branch for SSC i.e. for 14 years.

After selection, candidates are trained either as a Helicopter Pilot, Fighter Pilot, or a Transport Pilot and are a part of various peace and wartime missions.

AFCAT Exam Preparation Books









CDS Exam Preparation Books