The policy for selection of officers in Indian Air Force is strictly on the basis of merit and is open to all citizens of the country. Being a technologically intensive service, the IAF strives to maintain high standards for induction of personnel.

We are sharing four types and entries name and their brief detail, aspirants must have a look who wants to join Indian Air Force.

4 Best Ways To Join IAF As An Officer In 2017

• AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test)

AFCAT 2017 will be conducted by the Indian Air Force next year and candidates who want to join the Flying, Ground duty and Technical branch of Indian Air Force can apply for the AFCAT 2017. AFCAT 2017 application forms will be available on the official website of Indian air force which is www.careerairforce.nic.in and candidates are required to apply for AFCAT 2017 online only. Below we have mentioned the important dates for AFCAT Exam 2017 for both AFCAT 1 2017 and AFCAT 2 2017.

AFCAT 1 2017 Entry Notification Date: 

• Date of Notification: Dec 2016
• Start of receipt of applications: Dec 2016
• Last date for the receipt of applications: Jan 2017
• Date of Exam:  Feb 2017
• Expected date of result: Mar 2017

AFCAT 2 2017 Exam Notification Date:

• Date of Notification: Jun 2016
• Start of receipt of applications: Jun 2016
• Last date for the receipt of applications: Jun/July 2017
• Date of Exam:  Aug/Sep 2017
• Expected date of result: Nov 2017

• CDS (Combined defence Services) Exam

CDS is another popular entry if you want to join the Indian air force as a pilot. Yes, through CDS exam you can only apply for flying branch on Indian air force.

CDS will be conducted by UPSC next year for the candidates who are interested in getting entrance to Indian army via IMA dehradun or OTA chennai or in getting entrance to Indian air force via AFA dundigal or in getting entrance to Indian navy via INA Ezhimala. CDS 2017 application forms will be available on the official website of Indian air force which is www.careerairforce.nic.in and candidates are required to apply for CDS 2017 online only. Below we have mentioned the important dates for CDS Exam 2017 for both CDS 1 2017 and CDS 2 2017.

CDS 1 2017 Entry Notification Date:

• Date of Notification: 9th Nov 2016
• Start of receipt of applications: 9th Nov 2016
• Last date for the receipt of applications: 2nd Dec 2016
• Date of Exam:  5th Feb 2017
• Expected date of result: May 2017

CDS 2 2017 Exam Notification Date:

• Date of Notification: 9th Aug 2017
• Start of receipt of applications: 9th Aug 2017
• Last date for the receipt of applications: 8th Sep 2017
• Date of Exam:  19th Nov 2017
• Expected date of result: Jan/Feb 2018

• NDA (National Defence Academy) Exam

NDA exam is conducted by UPSC, candidates can apply for NDA exam in 12th and after 12th class if they meet the eligibility criteria. Candidates can select Army, Air Force or Navy as their preference in NDA.

NDA will be conducted by UPSC next year for the candidates who are interested in getting entrance to Nationa Defence Academy maharashtra with final entrance in Indian army via IMA dehradun or in getting entrance to Indian air force via AFA dundigal or in getting entrance to Indian navy via INA Ezhimala. NDA 2017 application forms will be available on the official website of Indian air force which is www.careerairforce.nic.in and candidates are required to apply for NDA 2017 online only. Below we have mentioned the important dates for NDA Exam 2017 for both NDA 1 2017 and NDA 2 2017.

NDA 1 2017 Entry Notification Date:

• Date of Notification: 18th Jan 2017
• Start of receipt of applications: 18th Jan 2017
• Last date for the receipt of applications: 10th Feb 2017
• Date of Exam:  23rd April 2017
• Expected date of result: Jun 2017

NDA 2 2017 Exam Notification Date:

• Date of Notification: 7th June 2017
• Start of receipt of applications: 7th June 2017
• Last date for the receipt of applications: 30th June 2017
• Date of Exam:  10th Sep 2017
• Expected date of result: Dec/Jan 2017-18

• Service Entry Scheme 2017

Under this entry, serving personnel with minimum 10 years of service (of technical and non- technical trades) of the rank of Sergeant and above between the age of (36 – 42 years) and minimum educational qualification as 10+2, are eligible for Commission after screening at unit level followed by Air Force Selection Board selection tests and medical examination. Service personnel of technical trades are inducted in the Technical Branch and personnel from Non-technical trades are inducted in the Ground Duty Branches.