Best Ways to join Indian Air Force After 12th (Without NDA)
The Indian Airforce is the most prestigious and groomed service in India. There are basically two ways to serve in the Indian Airforce. One can join the service as an Officer or as an Airmen etc. In the Officer’s entry, You have the option for three different branches to join like the Flying branch to be a fighter jet pilot or helicopter pilot or cargo pilot, etc. In the Airmen entry, You can join the Technical branch or non-technical branch, etc. Here in this article, You will get to know about the How to join the Indian Air force after the 12th. Check the blog below:
After passing class 12th. The best way to join the service is through NDA Entry. Through the NDA entry, You have an option to join the Indian Army, Indian Airforce and Indian Navy, etc. This entry is only for the Officers. A Candidate who has passed class 12th with physics, chemistry, and mathematics, etc are eligible to apply for the NDA entry. For the NDA entry, The age of the candidate must be at least 16.5 years old and it should not be more than 19 years old, etc. Now let’s see the Entry in the Indian Airforce after the 12th without NDA.
List of Active Fighter Planes in IAF (Indian Air Force)
Ways to join Indian Air force after 12th without NDA:
Well, if you are looking for How to join the Indian Air force after the 12th. there is no officer’s entry in the Indian Airforce after the 12th without NDA. One can apply for the Airmen’s entry into the service. If one has done NCC and has a ‘C’ certificate can appear for the NCC Special Entry Scheme. But this entry is only for the NCC Cadets.

In order to be an officer in the Service, One can appear for NDA or will have to complete graduation from any recognized Institute or University in any stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in class 12th.
Now let’s see the Airmen’s Entry into the Indian Airforce after the 12th and what are the selection process and required eligibility criteria are mandatory to have to apply for the vacancy etc.
Airforce Official Website: Click Here
Airmen’s Entry in Air force after 12th:
The Airmen are the ones who assist the senior officers of the Indian Airforce and guard the property of the Indian Airforce etc. Through the Airmen Entry, One can become Airforce Police, Technical Incharge, Airforce commando or can join the Administrative branch, etc. Now let’s see the selection process and eligibility criteria to apply for the vacancy.
Selection Process of Airmen in Airforce:
The selection of the Indian Airforce Airmen is done on the basis of the Examination. One will have to appear for the three phases of the selection process which is consists of:
- Computer-based Written Exam
- Physical Fitness Test
- Medical Test
Clearing all three phases are mandatory. After the application form, All the candidates will appear for the Written Exam and only candidates who would clear the first phase will proceed to the next two phases.
Eligibility for Airforce Airmen Entry:
As you know, there are two types of entries Technical and Non-technical through the Indian Airforce Airmen entry. The Eligibility for the technical and Non-Technical Entry is different but the selection process and other details are completely the same.
Technical Entry Eligibility:
- A candidate must have passed Intermediate/10+2/Equivalent examination with Mathematics, Physics, and English with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate and 50% marks in English OR
- Three years Diploma Course in Engineering in any stream.
Airforce Airmen Phase-II Testing Process, Airforce X and Y group Result 2021
Non-Technical Entry Eligibility:
- A candidate must have passed the Passed Intermediate/ 10+2/ Equivalent Examination in any stream/subjects approved by Central/ State Education Boards with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate and 50% marks in English.
- This eligibility for all Non-technical groups except Automobile Technician, IAF (P), IAF(S) & Musician} Trades.
The age of the candidate must be 19 years old and it should not be more than 24 years old. The age of the candidate will be the completely same for all trades and groups of the Airmen entry. There is no relaxation has been to any candidate in the age regarding their Caste, Community or religion, etc.
There is some relaxation given to the candidates who have finished their class 12th from Sainik School or Army School (also called as Fauji School) etc. They get some relaxation like in the application form fees as well as in the Selection Cutoff marks etc. To get the exact details about the relaxation criteria. Check the official website. It keeps changing every year.
Airforce Airmen Official Website: Click Here
Can Girl Join Indian Air force after 12th:
No, there is no entry for the female candidates to join the Indian Airforce as an officer or as Airmen after the 12th. The Minimum qualification for the female candidates is Graduation in any stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, etc.
After graduation, Female candidates can appear for the AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test). Through AFCAT entry, Male or female candidates can join Flying Branch, Technical Branch, or Administrative Branch (commonly known as ground duty Branch), etc.
How to become a Fighter pilot In the Indian Airforce
What is the Qualification to Join Indian Air force:
As I mentioned above, In order to become part of the service as an Officer. It is mandatory to have passed class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, etc. Only in the Airmen entry Y Group. It is mandatory to have passed the 12th PCM. A candidate from any stream like Arts or commerce is eligible to apply.
If you are looking for How to join the Indian Airforce after the 12th. You can go for NDA or Airmen X Group and Y Group entry etc. There are many entries after the 12th to join the service as an Officer like NDA, CDS, AFCAT and NCC Special Entries, etc. Except for NDA and NCC special Entry schemes, all the entries are after graduation.
FAQs For Best Ways To Join Indian Air Force
Yes, there is discrimination in the Indian Airforce regarding gender. There are some women in the service who are already inducted as fighter pilots.
One has to be passed at least class 12th with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics to apply for the officer’s entry.
The Selection process is the same in every manner for Men and Women. One has to clear the written exam, Interview and the Medical test etc.