Government jobLevel 10 + MSPGroup AGazetted
Air Force Officer, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical)
वायु सेना अधिकारी, ग्राउंड ड्यूटी (तकनीकी एवं गैर-तकनीकी)
Officer in the Air Force's technical, administration, logistics, accounts, education or meteorology branches through AFCAT.
Indian Air Force · Ministry of Defence · defence government
- Exam
- AFCAT
- Qualification
- Graduate
- Age limit
- 20–26 years
- Transfers
- Anywhere in India
- Work hours
- Tied to the station's flying programme; long days during exercises
- Probation
- About 52 weeks of training at the Air Force Academy and the branch's training college
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.
Entry rank is Flying Officer at Level 10. Flight cadets receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 a month during the last year of training. Technical officers draw a technical allowance on top.
What you will actually do
- Technical: managing maintenance of aircraft, weapons, radars or communication systems
- Administration: running the station's personnel, security and air traffic services
- Logistics and accounts: stores, procurement, pay and budgets
- Education and meteorology: training, briefing and weather forecasting for flying
- Leading a section of airmen and non-combatants
A typical day
A technical officer on a flight line is at the hangar before the first sortie, signing aircraft fit to fly and chasing snags and spares through the day and often the night during exercises. An administration or logistics officer runs a section that keeps the base working: manpower, security, accommodation, stores. All branches share parades, station duties and the secondary jobs every officer is given. The hours follow the flying.
Promotion path
Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.
Air Force Officer, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) (joining)
Level 10 + MSP
Flight Lieutenant
2 years, time-scale · via dpc
Squadron Leader
6 years, time-scale · Level 11 · via dpc
₹1,02,000–₹1,19,000 in-hand
Permanent commission
For short service officers, by option and selection subject to vacancies · via dpc
Wing Commander
13 years, for those who continue · via dpc
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
Indian Air Force
- 1.AFCAT online test (plus the Engineering Knowledge Test for the technical branch)
- 2.Air Force Selection Board interview (about five days)
- 3.Medical examination
- 4.Merit list
Eligibility: Technical branch: a four-year engineering or technology degree in the listed disciplines. Non-technical branches: a bachelor's degree with the minimum percentage set in the notification; accounts, education and meteorology have subject-specific requirements. Open to men and women. Age 20–26. Age is counted on the course start date. Candidates below 25 must be unmarried. No category-based relaxation.
Physical standards: Air Force ground-duty medical standards for height, weight and eyesight, checked after the selection board.
The good
- 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
The hard parts
- Short service commission of 10 years, extendable by 4, with no assured pension
- Remote postings
- Supporting role in a flying-centred service
Postings
Air Force stations, maintenance depots and command headquarters across India, including remote bases, with moves every two to three years.
Questions people ask
What is the salary of Air Force Officer, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical)?+
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, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical)?+
Technical branch: a four-year engineering or technology degree in the listed disciplines. Non-technical branches: a bachelor's degree with the minimum percentage set in the notification; accounts, education and meteorology have subject-specific requirements. Open to men and women. Age: 20–26 years. Relaxation: Age is counted on the course start date. Candidates below 25 must be unmarried. No category-based relaxation.
Which exam do I need to clear for Air Force Officer, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical)?+
AFCAT (Indian Air Force).
How long is the commission?+
Ground-duty officers entering through AFCAT get a short service commission of ten years, extendable by four subject to service needs and merit.
Compare with similar posts
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.
Army Officer, Short Service Commission (CDS, Officers' Training Academy)
थल सेना अधिकारी, अल्प सेवा कमीशन (सीडीएस, ओटीए)
Short service commission in the Army for graduates through UPSC CDS — 10 years of service, extendable to 14.
Engineering Services Officer (UPSC ESE)
इंजीनियरिंग सेवा अधिकारी (यूपीएससी ईएसई)
Group A engineering services via UPSC ESE — managing public works, defence, telecom, water and power projects.
Sources
This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.