You surely fly high after joining the Flying branch of the Indian Air Force. You are trained either as a Fighter pilot, or a Helicopter pilot, or a Transport pilot and are a part of various peace and wartime missions.

As a graduate, you enter the Flying branch through the Air Force Academy.

The following are the three modes of entry for graduates to join the Flying branch:

• Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)
  You can take the Combined Defence Services Examination (written test conducted by UPSC) to join the Flying branch of the Indian Air Force. Men can join the Air Force through this mode of entry and will be given a Permanent Commission.
  
  
• For applying through any of the entry points mentioned above, you must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Age
  19 to 23 years*
  
  
• Marital Status
  Single
  
  
• Nationality
  Indian
  
  
• Gender
  for men only.
  
  
• Educational Qualifications
  1. Graduate (Three Year Course ) in any discipline from a recognised university (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) / BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) .
  2. Final Year students can also apply, provided thay do not have any backlogs.
  3. No Percentage Bar for CDSE entry.
     
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     April and September Every Year
     

• National Cadet Corps Special Entry (Through CO NCC Unit / DG NCC)
  As a Air Wing Senior division 'C' Certificate holder of the National Cadet Corps, you can apply to the Flying branch of the Indian Air Force. Men can join the Air Force through this mode of entry and will be given a Permanent Commission.
• For applying through any of the entry points mentioned above, you must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Age
  19 to 23 years*
  
  
• Marital Status
  Single
  
  
• Nationality
  Indian
  
  
• Gender
  for men only.
  
  
• Educational Qualifications
  1. Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised university who have attained minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognised university with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
  2. Final Year students can also apply, provided thay do not have any backlogs and should have min 60 % marks in aggregate upto the previous year / semister.
  3. NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' certificate.
     
     Advertisement Schedule:
     
     April and October Every Year
     
  
  

• Flying (Pilot) Short Service Commission (For Men & Women) with Term of Engagement of 14 Years with no further extension
  Both men and women are eligible to apply for Short Service Commission in the flying branch. Short Service Commission in Flying branch is for 14 years with no further extension.

  For applying through any of the entry points mentioned above, you must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Age
  19 to 23 years*
  
  
• Marital Status
  Single
  
  
• Nationality
  Indian
  
  
• Gender
  This is applicable to both men and women.
  
  
• Educational Qualifications
  1. Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised university who have attained minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognised university with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
  2. Final Year students can also apply, provided thay do not have any backlog and should have min 60% marks in aggregate upto the previous year / semister.
  3. Upper age limit for Candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed upto 25 yeras*.
     
     

  
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  * At the time of commencement of training.