Air Force Officer, Flying Branch vs Air Force Officer, Ground Duty
Side by side on pay, work, transfers and growth — so you can rank your preferences with confidence.
Pay level
Level 10 + MSPLevel 10 + MSP
Starting in-hand
₹1,15,000 pay + allowances₹1,15,000 pay + allowances
Group
Group A (Gazetted)Group A (Gazetted)
Exam
UPSC CDS, AFCATAFCAT
Qualification
GraduateGraduate
Age limit
20–2420–26
Field work
highmedium
Stress (1–5)
53
Transfers
all indiaall india
First promotion
Flight Lieutenant (2 years, time-scale)Flight Lieutenant (2 years, time-scale)
Choose Air Force Officer, Flying Branch if…
- ✓ Flying military aircraft is the job
- ✓ Flying allowance adds to pay
- ✓ High training investment and strong professional standards
Choose Air Force Officer, Ground Duty if…
- ✓ Officer career for engineers and graduates without pilot medical standards
- ✓ Open to women in all ground branches
- ✓ Higher age limit (26) than most officer entries