HowIndiaEarns

Government jobLevel 10 + MSPGroup AGazetted

Air Force Officer, Flying Branch (Pilot)

वायु सेना अधिकारी, फ्लाइंग ब्रांच (पायलट)

Pilot in the Indian Air Force through UPSC CDS or AFCAT — fighter, transport or helicopter flying after training at Dundigal.

Indian Air Force (through the Air Force Academy, Dundigal) · Ministry of Defence · defence government

Exam
UPSC CDS, AFCAT
Qualification
Graduate
Age limit
20–24 years
Transfers
Anywhere in India
Work hours
Built around the flying programme; early starts and night-flying phases
Probation
About 18 months of flying training in stages at the Air Force Academy and flying training establishments

Pay on commissioning / month

₹1,14,560

Basic pay (Level 10)₹56,100
Military Service Pay₹15,500
Dearness Allowance (60%)₹42,960

Before income tax. Transport allowance, free rations, dress allowance and field, flying or other risk allowances are extra, and married or single accommodation is normally provided in place of HRA. There is no NPS deduction; pension is under defence rules. Rates as of January 2026.

A Flying Officer is the Air Force equivalent of an Army Lieutenant at Level 10. Flight cadets receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 a month during training. Pilots also draw a flying allowance, which is not included in the figure above.

What you will actually do

  • Flying fighter, transport or helicopter aircraft as trained
  • Mission planning, briefing and debriefing
  • Maintaining flying currency and instrument ratings
  • Squadron duties such as flight safety, training or adjutant work
  • Operational detachments and exercises across the country

A typical day

A flying day starts with a met and mission briefing, often before sunrise. You plan the sortie in detail, fly for an hour or so, and then spend longer than that debriefing every minute of it. The rest of the day goes on simulator sessions, study for the next rating, physical fitness and the secondary duty every squadron pilot is given. Night flying phases turn the timetable around. Not flying for long, whether for weather or medical reasons, is the hardest part.

Stress5/5
CalmIntense
Public dealing1/5
LittleConstant
Field work5/5
DeskOutdoors

Promotion path

Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.

  1. Air Force Officer, Flying Branch (Pilot) (joining)

    Level 10 + MSP

  2. Flight Lieutenant

    2 years, time-scale · via dpc

  3. Squadron Leader

    6 years, time-scale · Level 11 · via dpc

    ₹1,02,000–₹1,19,000 in-hand

  4. Wing Commander

    13 years, time-scale · via dpc

  5. Group Captain and above

    By selection · Level 13 · via dpc

    ₹1,66,000–₹1,87,000 in-hand

Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.

How to get in

UPSC CDSTwice a year

Union Public Service Commission

  1. 1.Written examination (English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, 100 marks each)
  2. 2.SSB interview (intelligence and personality test, about five days)
  3. 3.Medical examination
  4. 4.Merit list
AFCATTwice a year

Indian Air Force

  1. 1.AFCAT online test
  2. 2.Air Force Selection Board testing, including the Computerised Pilot Selection System
  3. 3.Medical examination
  4. 4.Merit list

Eligibility: Degree of a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering degree. AFCAT also sets minimum percentage marks; check the current notification. Age 20–24. Upper limit relaxable to 26 for holders of a valid DGCA commercial pilot licence. Candidates below 25 must be unmarried. No category-based relaxation.

Physical standards: Flying-branch medical standards are the strictest in the services: minimum height and leg length, uncorrected vision requirements and full colour vision. Candidates must pass the Computerised Pilot Selection System test, which can be attempted only once.

The good

  • Flying military aircraft is the job
  • Flying allowance adds to pay
  • High training investment and strong professional standards

The hard parts

  • Pilot selection can be attempted only once, and medical standards can ground you at any stage
  • Inherent risk in military flying
  • Remote bases and frequent moves

Postings

Air bases across India, many of them in border states and remote areas, with moves every two to three years.

Free rations, dress allowance and furnished accommodation or quartersPension under defence rules (no NPS deduction) for permanent commission officersMedical care for self and dependants in military hospitalsCanteen (CSD) facilities, leave travel concession and 60 days' annual leaveGroup insurance cover and subsidised schooling for childrenFlying allowance on top of pay

Questions people ask

What is the salary of Air Force Officer, Flying Branch (Pilot)?+

On commissioning, pay is fixed at the start of Level 10: basic pay ₹56,100 plus Military Service Pay of ₹15,500. With dearness allowance at 60% (January 2026) that comes to about ₹1,15,000 a month, before transport, field, flying and other allowances. Cadets get a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 a month during training at the service academy.

What is the qualification and age limit for Air Force Officer, Flying Branch (Pilot)?+

Degree of a recognised university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering degree. AFCAT also sets minimum percentage marks; check the current notification. Age: 20–24 years. Relaxation: Upper limit relaxable to 26 for holders of a valid DGCA commercial pilot licence. Candidates below 25 must be unmarried. No category-based relaxation.

Which exam do I need to clear for Air Force Officer, Flying Branch (Pilot)?+

UPSC CDS (Union Public Service Commission) or AFCAT (Indian Air Force).

CDS or AFCAT: which gives permanent commission?+

Men selected through CDS for the Air Force Academy get permanent commission. AFCAT flying-branch entry is a short service commission of 14 years.

Can women become IAF pilots?+

Yes, through the AFCAT flying-branch entry and NDA.

Compare with similar posts

Air Force Officer, Flying Branch vs Air Force Officer, Ground DutyAir Force Officer, Flying Branch vs Defence Officer through NDAAir Force Officer, Flying Branch vs Navy Officer, Executive Branch

Air Force Officer, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical)

वायु सेना अधिकारी, ग्राउंड ड्यूटी (तकनीकी एवं गैर-तकनीकी)

Level 10 + MSP

Officer in the Air Force's technical, administration, logistics, accounts, education or meteorology branches through AFCAT.

₹1,15,000 pay + allowancesAFCAT

Defence Officer through NDA (Army, Navy, Air Force)

एनडीए के माध्यम से रक्षा अधिकारी (थल सेना, नौसेना, वायु सेना)

Level 10 + MSP

Officer entry after Class 12 through UPSC NDA — three years at the academy, a degree, then a commission as an officer.

₹1,15,000 pay + allowancesUPSC NDA

Navy Officer, Executive Branch (CDS, Indian Naval Academy)

नौसेना अधिकारी (सीडीएस, भारतीय नौसेना अकादमी)

Level 10 + MSP

Permanent commission in the Navy through UPSC CDS for engineering or physics graduates — training at Ezhimala, then Sub-Lieutenant.

₹1,15,000 pay + allowancesUPSC CDS

Sources

This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.