If you seek to "touch the sky with glory"; the Indian Air Force is the "ideal target". Imagine being the master of the blue sky... adrenaline pumping... as you fly a fighter jet like Sukhoi-30, Mirage- 2000, Jaguar or the MiG variants, transport troops and supplies in an IL-76 or a AN-32 or hug the tree tops by flying helicopter gunships like Mi-35 or Mi-25, all the while in total control. That's what the Indian Air Force (IAF) offers- a promising and bright career complete with excitement and rewards for the aspiring. The IAF trains you to be pilot, a navigator, an engineer, an administrator, a fighter/Air Traffic Controller, a financial wizard, a materials manager, a trainer-cum-instructor or an expert in Atmospheric Science.

Functionally, one can opt one of the three branches in the officer cadre ie, Flying, Technical and Ground Duty Branches. The IAF offers a Permanent Commission(PC) or a Short Service Commission(SSC).

Fly Your Dream Machine : In the Flying Branch, the aspirant could be flying any of the fighter or transport aircraft or a helicopter. Initially, one is commissioned in the rank of a Flying Officer and attached to a squadron. The two modes of entry for male candidates are through the National Defence Academy (NDA) or the Combined Defence Services (CDS). Advertisements are released in the months of April and November each year. After clearing the test, the candidates with Air Force as the first choice would be called to appear for a Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) and subsequently for a series of tests which comprise psychological test, group test and an interview.

Engineer Your Future : The job profile of Technical Branch Officers entails handling of complex and advanced technological system of aircraft, radars, missiles, host of weapon systems and advanced weapon electronic network systems. Those with an engineering degree and between the age group of 18 and 28 years can apply for a commission in the Technical Branch through the Direct Entry Scheme. Advertisements are released in the months of January and July each year. On the other hand, through the University Entry Scheme (UES), IAF also provides an opportunity for the pre-final and final year students of engineering colleges to obtain a commission in the Technical Branch. Advertisement for UES entry is released in the month of October each year.

Ground Duty Branch : A Ground Duty Officer has a crucial role to play in controlling the aircraft with hi-tech radar systems to overall administration of airbases, human resource development and logistics management. Eligible candidates can apply for a commission in the administrative (Fighter/Air Traffic Controller), accounts, logistics, education and meteorological branches of IAF. For this, one should be a graduate.

Women in IAF : IAF was the first amongst the three wings of the Armed Forces to induct women in the combatant role. Unmarried women candidates can apply for a Short Service Commission in all the above branches. The age limit and educational qualifications are the same as for male candidates.

On completion of training and being commissioned, one would be entitled to a pay packet, which for an officer of the Flying Branch is approximately Rs 2,04,000 per annum as his starting salary. The corresponding figures for the Aeronautical Engineering and Ground Duties Branches are Rs 1,56,000 and Rs 1,44,000 respectively.

Also the inductee becomes eligible for other allowances such as Rank Pay of Rs 400 per month for Flight Lieutenant increasing to Rs 2,400 per month for Air Commodore. Typically, a Squadron Leader of Flying Branch with nine years service would be grossing over Rs 3,10,000 per annum. If he happens to be a test pilot, he can add another Rs 12,000 per annum to this figure.