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Who is a Indian Airforce Airman?
Our helicopter rotors will not stop churning till such time we get each one of you out ~ Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne
Do you wish to be an aircraftman in Indian air force? Do you want to be a part of the defense services? Do you want to serve the country? Well, think no more. You can become an Indian Airforce Airman. An airman is a member of an air force of the country’s armed forces. In certain air forces, it can also refer to a specific enlisted rank. A career as Indian Airforce Airman is not just a matter of immense pride but the ones serving the country are subjected to a lot of respect.
You can begin your career as Airman and later on, you can also apply to become an officer in the Indian Airforce. The rank of Airman brings it the responsibility of adjusting to the Air Force, adapting the military life, and becoming proficient in an Air Force occupational specialty.

Indian Airforce Airman in a Nutshell
Becoming an Air Force Officer involves having an appropriate educational degree followed by rigorous screening and selection processes. These processes are aimed at testing and evaluating the mental acuity, physical stamina, and leadership skills of the candidates. Individuals who opt for a career as Indian Airforce Airman serve different administrative, technical, and airborne roles. Individuals who opt for a career as Indian Airforce Airman play an active role in cost analysis, maintenance of aircrafts, and combat rescue operations.
There is a certain skill set required to opt for a career as Indian Airforce Airman. One such has the ability to make quick decisions, analytical and logical thinking, improvisational skills, communication skills, and strong higher mental capabilities. Core values of service, integrity, and excellence are also sought after.
Quick Facts for Indian Airforce Airman
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Average Salary in India
₹40000
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Suitable for
Male, Female
A career as Indian Airforce Airman provides opportunities for both men and women. There are certain restrictions for women joining the air force. Air Force recruitment is made on the basis of the evaluation of examinations conducted by the central airmen selection board. Males, women, and others can choose a career as Indian Airforce Airman.
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Any special needs
No
People with special needs should not choose a career as Indian Airforce Airman. A career as Indian Airforce Airman is not suited for everyone, specifically those with physical disabilities. It is not suitable for candidates with special needs specifically those who have eyesight and other physical problems.
Table of Contents for Indian Airforce Airman
What is the role of Indian Airforce Airman?
Individuals who opt for a career as Indian Airforce Airman make sure that all the air and ground operations run smoothly. From operating air defence systems to fitting missiles, you are actively involved in all the action happening in the airbase and give your support to make it a successful mission.
After joining Air Force Air Man service under technical trades, you will be responsible for maintenance and testing aircraft and other equipment. A career as Indian Airforce Airman provides numerous opportunities for growth in a career which includes free educational qualifications and training. There are two groups, Group X and Group Y, both groups have two aspects technical and non-technical. After joining the Air Force, the Air Men of the technical group stays involved in servicing aircraft, weapons, radars, and specialist vehicles.
While non-technical Air Men stay involved in financials, accountancy, administration, human resource management, security, logistic support, vehicular transportation, and numerous other types of work.
Maintenance work
Ensure proper maintenance of aircraft and handle the electronic and communication equipment.
Logistical support
Deliver logistical, meteorological, educational, and administrative support to the flying and technical branches.
Advisory
Provide control and advisory services to enable the pilot to conduct flights in total safety.
Monitoring
Monitor the skies for any potential threat and select the appropriate air defense system.
Types of a Indian Airforce Airman
One can join the Indian Air Force as an officer in the flying, technical, or ground duty branches depending on his or her educational qualification. We have mentioned below the sub-disciplines of joining the air force airman or types of a Indian Airforce Airman.
Flying Branch: Fighter pilots, Transport pilots, Helicopter pilots - You would be working as any of these pilots both during peace and war. You can get into the flying branch as a graduate [through the CDS exam (men), through AFCATexam (men and women), through NCC special entry (men)]. You can also get in after 10+2 by qualifying for the NDA/NA exam.
Technical Branch: Mechanical, Electronics - You would be taking care of some of the most sophisticated equipment in the world - You can get into this branch through the exam, AFCAT, or through University Entry Scheme (UES.)
Ground Duty Branch: Administration, Accounts, Logistics, Education, Meteorology - As part of these mentioned departments, you would be looking after and maintaining human and material resources or managing funds, working as internal auditors, or working as air traffic controller or fighter controller. You can get into this branch by qualifying AFCAT.
Medical and Dental Branch: Officers from Army Medical Corps are seconded to Air Force. The Air Force runs some hospitals and clinics where even Army and Navy personnel are entitled to treatment and vice versa.
Education Branch: Education branch officers design training programmes that incorporate the latest technological developments. In training institutions, they teach a variety of subjects like Science, Computer Technology, and Military Science. Responsible for guiding the personnel in furthering their academic qualifications. Organize and run the Air Force Schools for children of Air Force personnel.
What is the workplace/work environment of Indian Airforce Airman like?
A career as airman in Non-Technical trades, the work involves assistance and support to the various functions from weather forecasting to the maintenance of records and files of the Indian Air Force and all its branches. The Air force recruitment for the role of Air Man is done by Central Airmen Selection Board. If you want to pursue a career as Indian Airforce Airman you may appear in the UPSC examination conducted for Airforce recruitment of officers.
After joining Indian Air Force Air Man, one is exposed to various skills and jobs, therefore candidates opting to join Air Force must be versatile, competent, and capable. You are more likely to get pressurized under senior officers who may command you to perform in tough circumstances at times. 15 to 20 per cent of air men get promoted to the JCO level, hence he or she is subjected to early retirement at the age of 40 years. Generally, an Air Man performs for 15 to 20 years, then he or she gets retired.
Indian Air Force provides him or her support to further get another type of employment. There are numerous perks provided after retirement in a career as Indian AirForce Airman.
Does Indian Airforce Airman require travelling?
Likely
A career as Indian Airforce Airman comes with varying responsibilities which often require traveling, this could be in the form of a reassignment or training exercises or on a combat deployment.
Employment Shifts
Full Time
A career as Indian Air Force Air Man is considered a reputable defence job. It is similar to military service. AirMan job requires performing on a tight schedule. He or she can be called at any time. It is necessary for Air Man to show his or her presence whenever he or she has been called.
60 per cent of airmen are required to perform in two watch systems, for example, if a team requires to come one to two hours before the local sunrise time and perform till 1:30 p.m to 2:00 p.m, the same team will again require to show up at 7:30 p.m to 8:00 p.m and work till 10 p.m, 12 a.m. and 2 a.m. They might require to stay on duty till morning or wait to get relieved by the previous day's afternoon shift.
The same night team again has to show up for the afternoon shift and it goes till Friday. Saturday and Sunday will be off for this shift pattern. 20 per cent of airmen work in three watch pattern shifts where three shifts work all the time. Another 10 per cent work for a standard shift of eight to ten hours per day for five days a week. The remaining 10 per cent Air Force AirMen work whole 24 hours a day for all seven days a week.
Employment Nature
Permanent
Around 15 to 20 percent of AirMen get to retire after serving 15 to 20 years in the service at the age of 40 years. Therefore, we cannot consider it permanent employed. We can consider it as employment on a contractual basis. The duration of the contractual term ranges from 15-20 years, one is likely to get retired at the age of 40 years in a career as Indian Air Force AirMan.
Work Place
Office, On-Field, Air Craft
Indian Air Force organization has the Air HQ at the top, under which are various Air Commands. The Air Commands, understandably, are spread out all over our country. Working hours are decided at the Command HQ for all the units under that Command. They amount to 46 hours or week.
Presence in Geographical Area
Semi-urban, Rural, Urban
Depending on the location of the base, the employment can be in rural, semi-urban or urban areas.
Time Pressure
Likely
Individuals who opt for a career as Indian Airforce Airman have to face a lot of time pressure after joining the Indian Airforce Airman job. Indian Air Force Airmen are required to work under time constraints and a stressful work environment. Air Man serving under technical group X spends a lot of time flying or doing equipment checks or planning for contingencies, preparing for flights, writing reports, and waiting for planes to arrive. While Group Y non-technical Air Man is involved in management-related tasks.
Overtime Details
The working hours for Indian Airforce Airmen are generally 75 hours to 100 hours per month. Individuals who opt a career as Indian Airforce Airman are required to work on nights, weekends, and holidays, and may spend a lot of time away from their home base. However, even the odd working hours are already scheduled before so they’re only required to work as per their allotted time and not overtime.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 40 Hours
The minimum hours of work range from 40 to 50 hours a week. The standard working hours may vary for Air Man jobs. Several works for 8 to 10 hours a day. While several other airmen are likely to stay on duty in double shifts.
How to become a Indian Airforce Airman?
Steps to become a Indian Airforce Airman
- Eligibility for Appearing in Group X (except educational instructor) examination
- Eligibility for Entrance Examination for Group X Education Instructor Trade
- Post Graduation (Group X Education Instructor Trade)
- Eligibility for Group Y Trades (Except Medical Assistant and Musician)
- Eligibility for Group Y Medical Assistant Trade
- Eligibility for Group ‘Y’ Musician Trade
- Eligibility for Physical Fitness
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Indian Airforce Airman?
Unlike other career options, Air Force is replete with risks, obstacles and thrills galore. Hence the aspiring youth need to do some serious thinking about adopting this profession. Before opting to join Airman in Airforce, you must be aware of the skills that you'll be required to perform efficiently in the AirMan job role.
Adventurous: The adventurous type of personality was generally high-spirited and mischief-makers. A career as Indian AirForce Airman demands individuals to be brave, confident and physically strong. They could speak up to everybody who tries to benefit from them. Adventure activities evolve belief in the skills and knowledge of leadership skills that are vitally important for everyday functioning in the career as an Indian Air Force Air Man. The Indian Air Force performs a prominent role in developing air fighters with adventurous skills. Airman of the Indian Air Force must have a sense of adventure in-built into them.
Risk Taking: Risk management within the organisation is important because the industry can not potentially establish its goals for the future without it. If such an industry sets targets without understanding the risks into account, they are sure to lose path even before any of those potential consequences hit. Now if we talk about the Indian Air Force then definitely we can admit that professionals in this industry must be willing to risk their lives for the nation. Indian Air Force Air Men is a defence job which requires risk management.
Hardworking: The first and only approach to achieving the goal is hard work; it gives everyone patience, commitment and dedication. Working hard is significantly the most important, as it is only by hard work that we would accomplish life's objectives. Whereas comparison, smart work always results in shortcuts and laziness. Individuals who opt for a career as Indian Airforce Airman must be hardworking, and able to withstand difficulties in strenuous jobs.
Traveller: Traveling every day brings with it a whole new range of challenges and possibilities. The manner in which one manages such also provides a basis for understanding oneself. Individual people come back home realizing themselves differently, and getting a new outlook on what they want to do with their lives. Likewise, both group X technical and group Y non-technical Air Men continue to know different things and they find themselves in a better way while travelling as well as functioning. Individuals who opt for a career as Indian Airforce Airman require a lot of travelling, so the professionals must be fond of travelling otherwise it might be monotonous for them and become difficult to survive.
Physical strength: Physical strength is necessary for almost every profession. Though some desk jobs do not require that much physical activity but still every professional needs to be physically active to perform their tasks properly. Mental health is also essential in every profession, now coming back to this profession, it requires physical and mental strength to join the Indian Air force to fly for long hours.
Patience: Patience is a vital component of organisational performance in the career as Indian AirForce AirMan. People have to experience several conditions that really need patience. Like, due to the seriousness of some issues, professionals need to work additional shifts. Individuals might just get trapped in various conditions that require immediate response and at that time they need to control their impulses. Air Man must have a calm temperament and strong nerves to serve calmly and patiently in those situations.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Indian Airforce Airman?
Internship Availability
Training is provided after AirMan selection through various exams. After Air Man selection in the Air Force, he or she is provided with free education and training to progress in their career as an Indian Air Force Air Man.
Career Path Progression for Indian Airforce Airman
There are various Indian Air Force jobs. One could opt for the jobs roles mentioned below in the career as an Indian Air Force Air Man with progression. The career hierarchy for Indian Air Force Air Man is as shown below.
Aircraftsman-Leading Air Craftsman (LAC)-Corporal (CPL)-Sergeant (SGT)-Junior Warrant Officer (JWO)-Master Warrant Officer (MWO)
Master Warrant Officer (MWO): In this rank, an Officer is designated by a warrant, unlike Commissioned Officers who get designated as an Officer by a Commission. It is the highest rank among Junior Commissioned Officers. To become a Master Warrant Officer, Airmen need to serve a minimum of 28 years.
Warrant Officer (WO): A warrant officer is a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer(SNCO) and a senior Air warrior(airman). A warrant officer is part of warranted ranks which consists of a Junior warrant officer who gets promoted to Warrant officer and then to Master warrant officer.
Junior Warrant Officer (JWO): A warrant officer is a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer(SNCO) and a senior Air warrior(airman). Warrant officer is part of warranted ranks which consists of a Junior warrant officer who gets promoted to Warrant officer and then to Master warrant officer. It's part of the Air warrior hierarchy.
Sergeant (SGT): Sergeant in Indian Air Force is a non-commissioned rank and also called Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, in short SNCO. The immediate junior rank of sergeant is Corporal and higher is Junior Warrant Officer.
Corporal (CPL): Corporal' is a rank given to an airman who is senior to a 'Leading Aircraftman' but junior to a 'Sergeant'.
Leading Air Craftsman (LAC): It is the lowest rank in the IAF. The Airmen join at this rank only in the IAF. After the promotion, the Aircraftsman becomes Leading Aircraftman.
How to get promotions in a career as an Indian AirForce AirMan?
Air Men are required to qualify for promotional exams after completing a minimum required experience in the previous role to get promoted to a superior role in their career as an Indian AirForce AirMan.
Salary of Air Man
A career as Indian AirForce AirMan comes with several other benefits that are not provided in private jobs and other major civil services. AirMan receives various benefits. It includes accommodation, medical facilities for both self and dependents, ration, LTC for self and family, education loans and other free interest loans for house repair, the marriage of sister, and daughter, scholarships for children, and other benefits.
We have provided below the salary insights of Air Man jobs with progression in rank.
Rank | Salary Per Month | MSP (Military Service Pay) |
Aircraftsman | Rs. 21,700 | Rs. 5200 |
Leading Aircraftsman | Rs. 21,700 | Rs. 5200 |
Corporal | Rs. 25,500 | Rs. 5200 |
Sergeant | Rs. 29,200 | Rs. 5200 |
Junior Warrant Officer | Rs. 35,400 | Rs. 5200 |
Warrant Officer | Rs. 44,900 | Rs. 5200 |
Master Warrant Officer | Rs. 47,600 | Rs. 5200 |
Also, read: Career as a flight engineer
Indian Airforce Airman Jobs and Salaries
Warrant Officer (WO)
- Average Salary 40000
Job Description
A warrant officer is Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the Indian Airforce. The person is assigned to maintenance and tech duties apart from combat roles and supervision.
Salary Description
Warrant officers' salaries might vary based on their skills, and experience. Warrant officers' average salary structure is more than Rs. four lakhs per annum.
What is the job outlook for Indian Airforce Airman?
Quality control is maintained on all types of training provided in the career as Indian Airforce Airman, not only at the training units but also at specialized training establishments. Training Command ensures that the trainees passing out possess the necessary skills and knowledge for effective realization at the operational units. There is a great scope for career growth in the AirForce AirMan jobs. It is one of the most well-respected jobs in the world. Nothing can substitute the joy of serving the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions for Indian Airforce Airman
Que. Can airmen become pilots?
Ans.After the selection as airmen, an internal exam may be applied for to get selected as an officer. After qualifying the examination, he or she can become a pilot. Although just to make you sure of it, airmen can-not be pilots, only officers can opt for this role.
Que. What is the lowest rank in Indian Air Force?
Ans.There are three types of Commissioned Officers in the Indian Air Force. These are: Commissioned Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers. It is the lowest rank in the IAF. The Airmen join at this rank only in the IAF.
Que. Is an airman a soldier?
Ans.No, an airman is not a soldier. His work majorly involves maintenance task.
Que. What are the institutes for airman educational qualifications?
Ans.The educational qualifications vary depending on both groups Group X and Group Y, and its both aspects technical and non-technical. We have mentioned below top colleges that are considered best for opting any related degree programmes for the role of an Air Man.
Top Colleges
SRM University | |
Que. What is the age limit for appearing in the entrance examination for Group X technical trades in the Air Man jobs?
Ans.Candidates must not be younger than 17 years and older than 21 years of age during the time of enrolment.
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