The IAF is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets ranks third amongst the air forces of the world. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict. It was officially established on 8 October 1932.

4 Ways To Join Indian Air Force In 2024

1.Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)

2.Combine Defence Services (CDS) Examination

3.NCC Special Entry

4.National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam

• AFCAT 1 2024 Notification – Syllabus, Age Limits, Eligibility Criteria & Exam Date

Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)

AFCAT is one of the sought-after examinations conducted by the IAF to select the eligible candidates for the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical) Branch, and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch. The AFCAT exam is conducted twice a year by the IAF. Interested candidates who wish to join the Indian Air Force can apply online for the AFCAT exam. Graduate aspirants can apply in this entry with 60% marks in graduation.

AFCAT 1 2024 Age Eligibility – Flying Branch

•20 to 24 years as on 1^st January 2025 i.e., born between 2^nd Jan 2001 to 1^st Jan 2005. (Both dates inclusive)

•Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA is relaxable upto 26 years i.e., born b/w 2^nd Jan 1999 to 1^st January 2025 . (Both dates inclusive)

AFCAT 1 2024 Age Eligibility – Ground Duty

Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) 20 to 26 years as on 1^st January 2025 i.e., born between 2^nd Jan 1999 to 1^st  Jan 2005. (Both dates inclusive)

AFCAT 2 2024 Age Eligibility – Flying Branch

•20 to 24 years as on 1^st July 2025 i.e., born between 2^nd July 2001 to 1^st Jan 2005. (Both dates inclusive)

•Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA is relaxable upto 26 years i.e., born b/w 2^nd July 1999 to 1^st July 2025 . (Both dates inclusive)

AFCAT 2 2024 Age Eligibility – Ground Duty

Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) 20 to 26 years as on 1^st July 2025 i.e., born between 2^nd July 1999 to 1^st July 2005. (Both dates inclusive)

AFCAT 1 2024 Dates to Remember

AFCAT 2 2024 Tentative Dates to Remember

Combine Defence Services (CDS) Exam

UPSC conducts the CDS exam biannually for recruitment of officer cadre in IAF. Candidates can enter the Flying branch through the Air Force Academy where shortlisted candidates are trained as a Fighter pilot or a Helicopter pilot or Transport pilots and are part of various peace and wartime missions.

Eligibility: Candidates must be between 20 to 24 years old with a graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level)/BE/B Tech (Four Year Course).

Criteria For Age Limits

CDS 1 2024:

CDS 2 2024:

IMPORTANT DATES FOR CDS 2024

• CDS 1 2024 Notification, Exam Date, Vacancies, Eligibility, Syllabus And Age Limits
• CDS Exam 2024 Age Limits – Who Can Apply For CDS 1 2024 And CDS 2 2024
• Join Indian Air Force Academy – CDS 1 2024
• Join Indian Military Academy – CDS 1 2024
• Join Officers Training Academy – CDS 1 2024 Notification

NCC Special Entry

Aspirants with an NCC ‘C’ certificate can apply for this entry. With NCC Special entry you can only apply for the flying branch of the IAF. 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC. •Men & women can join the Air Force through this mode of entry. Permanent Commission offered for men and Short Service Commission for men and women.

Eligibility: Candidates must be 20-24 years with minimum of 60% marks in each Math & Physics at 10 + 2 level. Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized University with minimum of 60% marks or equivalent or BE/B Tech (Four Year course) from a recognized University with minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

NDA Exam

UPSC holds examinations twice a year for Permanent Commission entry to the Indian Navy. There are two ways to go about it – The NDA (National Defense Academy)/INA (Indian Naval Academy) entry for 12th standard candidates (or pass-outs) with Physics, Chemistry Maths subjects, and the CDSE (Combined Defense Services Examination) for college graduates.

NDA 1 2024 Notification:

As per the Union Public Service Commission calendar, the notification for the NDA 1 2024 released on 20th December 2023.

NDA 1 2024 Age Eligibility & Date Of Birth

Both Male and Female candidates born not earlier than  02^nd July 2005 and not later than 1^st July 2008 are eligible.

NDA 2 2024 Age Eligibility & Date Of Birth

Both Male and Female candidates born not earlier than 02^nd  Jan 2006 and not later than 1^st Jan 2009 are eligible.

Important Dates For NDA 2024