Last Updated on August 7, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar
Women/female aspirants are eligible to join the Flying Branch of IAF (Indian Air Force). But as of now, Female Flying Officers are not inducted into service as Fighter Pilots. The Flying Branch of IAF can be said to be made up of the following sections- Fighter Jets, Transport Aircraft and Helicopters. As of now, Female Flying Officers are assigned the task of handling Transport Aircraft and Helicopters, not Fighter Jets and Combat duty! But this situation may change in the near future. Statements given by IAF Chief Arup Raha on Air Force Day (8th October) clearly indicates that the Organization is keen to embrace the change and induct Women Fighter Pilots in near future.
As of now, Women may join IAF Flying Branch, but only Fly Transport Aircraft and Helicopters (non Combat). They may also join Ground Duty and Technical Branch as Officers.
IAF has always maintained that the job of a Fighter Pilot is tough and that Women lack the Physical and Mental prowess to thrive in this job post. Despite other Countries’ Armed Forces inducting Female Fighter Pilots into their Forces, India has so far been stubborn.
Also read: Ways for Women/Female aspirants to become Pilot in IAF
But the recent developments are promising. According to the Air Chief, Defence Ministry will think about this proposal and act on it fast. He said that the process to train Female Fighter Pilots will begin only after at least an year and it will be after 3 years that the first batch of Female Fighter Pilots will be inducted.
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 I am pooja rajgude now I am studying in 12th standard i want be an Indian air force officer but after 12 science plzzzzz give me information about that
sir,
now im studying in bcom 2nd year . i want to become a pilot . is it possible ?
sir,
can i become pilot after completing 12th commerce
No, Rahul.
I have completed my graduation 10+2+3 in bachelor of business management and I’m looking forward to join Indian airforce.so can u suggest me the options that are available for commerce graduation in air force.
PS : I have done my 12th in PCM stream .
Kritika, since you have had Science stream (PCM subjects) schooling in 12th, you are eligible to land the post of Flying Officer (Flying Branch). Based on your Degree, you may also land Ground Duty Branches job. You may make use of AFCAT examination to proceed.
hello sir ,
my name is priyanka and i just completed my 11 in PCM .i want to become a fighter pilot in INDIAN AIR FORCE but i just confuse about what to do after my 12??what is AFCAT ?how can i clear it and get eligible for it ? can i skip aeronautical engineering and if i do it then what is other option ?is BSC help me to get in IAF ?what to do after my gradution?
looking for your direction .
thank you
Priyanka, to become a Fighter Pilot, you will have to finish graduation program first. Any 3 or 4 years long graduate degree program from a recognized institute will be enough. Yes, B.Sc. will be okay.AFCAT stands for Air Force Common Admission Test. You’ll have to appear for this test after graduation or while in the final year of it.
Jai Hind Sir
Myself is Rohit Singh Bainsla .I want to join iaf as a fighter pilot. It is my childhood dream. And I passed 12th in 2014 with PCM .And I tried IIT JEE for aerospace engineering but not success. Now I want to get CPL for age relaxation. I am in problem sir please guideme for my better success. And it is also my dream to study aerospace engineering.
Sir plese suggest me india’s good government institutions.
I shall be highly obliged to you.
Sir suggest me as soon as possible.
Thanks…..
Sir! Please Check my mail, if possible
Thankyou so much Sir!
But I didn’t get the SSC commission and the Post work scope you said.
And About Graduation Degree. Would it be fine if I avoid Aeronautical Engineering.
because, If I go for this Idea, I’ll have to drop an year to get into IIT. and then 4 years there. it will take approximately 5-6 years; (if not in first attempt, i”ll have to drop another year for it.)
and in this way, I’ll turn 22 which may exceed the Age bar, if i dont crack AFCAT in an year.
Although I am confident about the Written Exam but in Doubt for the Physical Fitness test.
Because Maybe I am Quite Weak but i have already started enhancing my diet.
And.. I dont know much about Other courses like Bsc and others
can you please give me a brief intro about those courses?
Sir! what about PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test), Do I have to Crack that too?
after cracking AFCAT?
Anushka, SSC stands for Short Service Commission. According to it, you will be allowed to serve the IAF as Pilot for a period of 14 years. Your service will terminate after that period. So, with some good Degree under your belt, you could find a good job easily after serving IAF. This is what I meant with ‘post work (in IAF) scope’.
If you are not interested in doing Aeronautical Engineering, you may go for B.Sc. courses. B.Sc. courses lasts for a duration of 3 years. Some well known courses are- B.Sc. Physics/Chemistry/Mathematics, B.Sc. IT, B.Sc. Aviation, B.Sc. Computer Science etc. The list of such courses is very big!
And regarding PABT, you will have to crack it, if you want to join the Flying Branch of IAF. Remember that it is a once in a lifetime test. You will get one shot at it. You may make use of the PABT tips that I’ve shared in this article- https://apnaahangout.com/pabt-tips-details/
Sir/Ma’am!
I am Anushka Sharma. I am a PCM Student. I have just completed my 11th and about to start my 12th standard. I want to join Indian Air Force. I mean, basically, I Aim at Becoming a Fighter Pilot at IAF. As I researched about this, I Found out that Girls are not Eligible for NDA Exam. First Of All, I wanted to confirm this and the other thing is; While Researching, I Discovered about the AFCAT. This Exam Requires students to be graduate.
can you please Suggest me the Best Course for me after 12th. and The basic Preparation, i should start from now, for this exam.
and.. is there any other Exam or way, to become a fighter pilot at Indian Air Force?
I would be Grateful for your Help.
Looking Forward for your Reply.
Anushka Sharma
Anushka, the facts you discovered are true! To become a fighter pilot in the IAF, you must become a graduate first! There is no particular course required to do so. Any 3 or 4 years long Graduation Degree from a recognized Institute would do. Try to go for Science (B.Sc.) or Engineering (B.E./B.Tech.) courses. You will be allowed SSC commission in the IAF. In case of the above mentioned courses, post work scope is also good.
You may start preparing for AFCAT after 12th, maybe after starting the Graduation course.You may work on personality development, work on Officer Like Qualities (OLQ), improve communication skills and confidence at first.
i am kavita of class 10 and i want to be a part of indian airforce so plz tell me which subjects i may choose
Kavita, you won’t be able to join IAF as an Officer right after 10th or 12th. But take Science stream with PCM subjects in 12th. After that, you may go for Graduation course and then appear for AFCAT examination. This way, you may join the IAF. With PCB subjects in 12th too, you may join IAF. But that will be through Medical Corps entry after completing MBBS.
Sir/mam,I want to join airforce n my %age in 12 is 73% in PCM (physics,chemistry, biology)
Sir/mam, i am soumya sOni and i’m a holder of cpl licence of philippines.And i want t jOni indian air fonce as a fighter pilot,soo can u plzz suggest me how to aapply for aapplication form.And what are the basic qualification mUST posses plzz can u inform me.
Soumya, you need to possess Graduation Degree, must have had 12th Science stream schooling with PCM subjects. Also, age limit is 26 years. If you satisfy all the above conditions, you are eligible. This exam is held by AFCAT. Keep an eye on their site and other recruitment dailies for advertisement. I don’t have contact numbers of any related Officers.