Last Updated on August 7, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar
Becoming a member of Indian Air Force’s Flying Branch is a difficult task. First of all, one has to deal with the regular written entrance examination. It is followed by the tricky SSB Interview, which is not too easy to crack. Then comes a flurry of medical and physical standards tests! Much importance is given to candidates’ eyesight status and medical standards! In this article, I will mention list of courses that one may pursue before applying for the post of a Flying Officer in the IAF.
List of top courses to do to get Flying Officer’s job in the IAF
Please note that loads of Graduation courses enables one to apply for the post of a Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force. Also note that 12th Science stream schooling with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics is also a requirement, if one want to apply for the post of a Flying Officer. Please take special notice of this fact.
#1 Engineering
Engineering Graduates from all branches of Engineering may apply for the post of Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force. But the candidate must have undergone 12th Science stream schooling with PCM as main subjects.
To know more about the eligibility and other crucial details, check out this article about how Engineering students and graduates may join the IAF’s Flying Branch.
#2 B Sc
Like Engineering graduates, B Sc grads, who have had 12th Science schooling with PCM as main subjects, may apply for the post of Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force.
To check out more details about the processes involved, eligibility criteria etc, check out this article about how B Sc graduates and students may join the IAF’s Flying Branch.
#3 BBA
Some 12th Science passed students opt for BBA, rather than going for technical courses. If such a student has had PCM as his/her main subject, then he/she too may apply for the post of Flying Officer in the IAF.
#4 B Pharm
It is a well known fact that Mathematics group students are also eligible to pursue B Pharm course. Such candidates may also apply for Flying Officer’s post in the IAF!
#5 Commercial Pilots
CPL holders too may join the IAF. For them, certain age relaxation advantage also exists. So, in case you are a CPL holder and want to join the IAF, you are eligible to do so! Check out this article to know how CPL holders may join the IAF as Flying Officers.
#6 BCA
BCA stands for Bachelor of Computer Applications. BCA graduates who have passed 12th Science stream schooling with PCM subjects are eligible to apply for the post of Flying Officer in the IAF.
There are hordes of other Graduation courses that one may pursue and then later apply for IAF’s Flying Branch. I haven’t mentioned them all since the main point of this article was to list only the most pursued and well known courses only. Also, one may join IAF’s Flying Branch right after 12th Science.
In short, 12th Science stream schooling is a must and the candidate must have undergone a Graduation course (3 years long or 4 years long) and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree from a Recognized University/Institute.
Also read: Top professional courses after 12th
Choosing an easy to pursue and 3 years long course would be much better, if it is landing the IAF job that is your prime priority. Easy to pursue course will ensure that you may focus your efforts towards SSB Interview as well as written exam preparations too. Also, choosing 3 years long course will help one dedicate one year towards SSB coaching also!
I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.
I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.
sir what degree is best to join in technical branch. i am a girl.
sir please guide i need your help
thank you
I m in 11standrad with pcm…
Can’t I go for nda examination after 12
Thank you for the guidance. I would also like to know that for ground duty branch Science is mandatory or any graduation course is okay. At the same time can you kindly specify the ground duties……… technical duty must be related with the aircraft but need to know about the ground duties. I will be grateful if you can kindly specify about the ground duties. Thank you!
Priti, I’ve already written an article about Ground Duty branches. You may use the search bar of this blog and find more details about it.
Sir, My daughter is in 11th and has PCM with computer science. She wants to join IAF as pilot. What subjects should she take in Graduation n then where should she apply, and I would also like to know what all other career options does she has in IAF other than being a Pilot.
Priti, other than being a Pilot, there are technical and ground duty branch jobs available in the IAF. After 12th, your daughter may pursue any 3 or 4 years long graduation course from a recognized University. The basic qualification for pilot entry is 10+2 with PCM subjects. Graduation course could be any. While in the final year of graduation program or after completing it, she could appear for AFCAT examination and join the IAF.
hiii.i am mayur.sir my question is this sir i have completed my 12th science in 2014 and now i am in BE,EC in 2nd year but sir i have to drop EC and i join in defence force but sir age criteria is not full fill to NDA so sir what can i do for join in airforce,Navy or a army .any other way to join in this.
Mayur, to join as a Commissioned Officer, you will have to complete BE program and then appear for CDS/AFCAT examination.
Hi
I hv two child and one boy n one girl both are studing in class 5 n 6th. I would like to make both of them as a fighter pilot. So tell me how to make to achive this target. Plz give me proper guied line.
Yash, since they are in 5th and 6th, they still have a long way to go before they become eligible to apply for job in IAF. By that time, IAF may even change their recruitment procedure and policies. So kindly note that point. However, based on the current procedures that they follow, let me guide you-
Your boy, after 10th, could take up Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects as mains). While in 11th or 12th, he may appear for NDA examination and after clearing the exam and SSB Interview, could make it to the IAF. In case of this entry, the age limit is 19 years. If your boy crosses this limit and still doesn’t make it to the IAF, he could make use of the below method too (after Graduation).
For female candidates, NDA entry is not available at the moment. So, your girl will have to follow the same path (10th, followed by 12th Science stream P,C,M subjects), then go for a 3 or 4 years long Graduation Degree program. After graduation or while in the final year of it, she may appear for CDS/AFCAT examination and make it to the IAF after clearing them and SSB Interview.
plz sir rply me
nd sir my dob is 1995 nd m in bca 1st
sir…i hv passed 12 with pcm…nd m now bca student.. con i join IAF after complete my bca degree ??
Yes you may, Raghuvan. After graduation, you may make use of AFCAT examination and join IAF.
sir which stream I will taken to become an air force pilot
Aman, after 10th, go for Science stream.
I really need to join IAF
Sri Harsha, on apnaahangout, you will find a good collection of articles that will help you know the various entry modes to join the IAF. Please go through those articles.