If you’re dreaming of serving in the Indian Air Force, there are several entry routes you can take depending on your age and qualification. One of the earliest paths is the NDA exam, targeted at 10+2 PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) candidates aged 16½-19½. Graduates can enter via the CDS exam or the AFCAT - the Air Force Common Admission Test - for officer roles in the flying branch or technical/ground duty branches. 

After clearing the written exam, all candidates go through the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview, followed by a medical examination at designated centres. The NCC special entry and other later-year graduate schemes also offer alternatives. The goal: get selected on merit, excel in the interview and medical, and you’ll be commissioned into the Air Force. Whether you’re starting just after school or as a graduate, planning your route early and keeping fitness and academics sharp will boost your chances of joining the elite service.