How to become a Fighter pilot In the Indian Airforce
There are many ways to join the Indian Airforce and become a part of it. Here in this article, I am sharing with you the complete details about the How to become a fighter pilot in the Indian Airforce. We will get to know the complete details about the eligibility criteria required and the complete selection process etc. Let’s see the details about the entries that one cab opts for to become a Fighter pilot in the Indian Airforce.

The process is simple and the same as it is for the officer’s entry into the service. There are many entries after 12th and after graduation, that one can appear to join the service as an officer. Let’s see the process to become Fighter Pilot in the Indian Airforce.
List of Active Fighter Planes in IAF (Indian Air Force)
Process to become Fighter Pilot in the Indian Airforce:
In order to become a Fighter pilot in the Indian Armed forces, One will have to join the Indian Airforce as an Officer first and later after the selection, one can opt for the Fighter pilot or any other reputed post as per their interest and passion. There are mainly three branches in the Indian Airforce. One has the option to join the following branches of the service after clearing the officer’s entry selection phase:
- Flying Branch
- Technician Branch
- Ground Duty Branch etc
In order to become a fighter pilot, he/she will have to select the flying branch after the selection in the Indian Airforce. Let’s see the details about the entries that one can opt for after passing class 12th or after graduation to become Fighter Pilot or Officer in the Indian Air Force Service.
Entries to become Fighter Pilot in Indian Airforce:
Here is the list of the entries, that one can opt for. There is only one entry after passing 12th and two or three entries after graduation. One can apply for the following entries:
- NDA Entry (After Class 12th)
- CDS Entry (After Graduation)
- AFCAT Entry (After Graduation) etc
These are some major entries, There are also some more entries like SSC Entry and NCC Special Entry etc. But these entries have no fixed schedules. Let’s see the details about the given entries in detail and see the required eligibility criteria and selection process etc.
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NDA Entry after class 12th:
National Defence Academy is the only academy in the world which trains the candidates for three major forces of the nation, the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air force etc.
Eligibility criteria for NDA:
- You must have physics and mathematics in 10+2.
- If you are appearing 12th. Then too you can apply
- Your age should be between 16 to 19 yrs old.
Selection procedure of NDA:
- Written exam (conducted by UPSC)
- SSB Interview
- Medical test
Once you clear this all, you will be in the National Defense Academy, Here you have to opt for the Indian Air Force or Indian Navy and choose Flying Branch for the fighter pilot. There are two other branches Technical Branch and Ground Duty Branch.
CDS Entry after Graduation:
Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE) is conducted two times in a year named as CDS(I) and CDS(II) by the UPSE which is the Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment of Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy (AFA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
Which is better Entry NDA or CDS?
Eligibility criteria for CDS:
- Candidate must have physics and mathematics at 10+2.
- The candidate must have a graduation degree in any discipline.
- You can apply for the CDS examination only after graduation.
- If a candidate is in the final year of his graduation can also apply for this.
- Candidate must have at least 60% marks in his graduation.
Selection procedure of CDS:
- Written exam (conducted by UPSC)
- SSB Interview
- Medical test
AFCAT Entry After Graduation:
AFCAT stands for the Air force Common Admission Test. This exam is also conducted twice a year. You can become a fighter pilot in the Indian Air force only. You can appear for this exam after graduation. Let’s look at the eligibility criteria for AFCAT and the age limit for AFCAT.
Eligibility Criteria of AFCAT:
- Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply.
- The candidate must have a graduation degree in any discipline with 60% marks.
- Candidates appearing in the final semester or year can also apply.
- Candidates should have physics and mathematics in class 12th
- Candidates below the age of 25 must be unmarried before the commencement of the course.
- Age limit for flying branch:- 20 to24yrs years.
- Age limit for technical and ground duty officers:- 20 to 26yrs old.
AFCAT Selection Process 2021 and Eligibility Criteria
AFCAT Selection Process:
- Written Examination
- AFSB Interview (Air Force Selection Board)
- Medical Exam etc
These are the ways to become a fighter pilot in the Indian Airforce. If you want to become a fighter pilot, you will have to be medically fit. One minor problem in your body can ruin your dream and your career. To become a fighter pilot you will have to go through the world’s toughest medical exam, where each vein of your brain will be checked. So be prepared for that and eat healthily and exercise daily for fitness.
FAQs For How To Become A Fighter Pilot In The Indian Airforce
No, there is no way to become a fighter pilot after the 10th. The minimum qualification is class 12th with Science.
One can become an officer after 12th or after graduation etc. The Minimum qualification to become an officer is class 12th with Science.
Appear for the Officer’s entry and after the selection, you can select the technical branch to become an engineer in the service.
This blog was all about the How To Become A Fighter Pilot In The Indian Airforce. I hope you got the complete details about this. To prepare for the Defence Exam, you can join the Cadets Point Defence Academy and get proper education and training about the exam, Interviews, Physical Fitness and Medical Fitness etc. You can check the official website www.cadetspointdefenceacademy.com to get details or to know more about the Institute.
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