Indian Air Force X & Y Group exam
Indian Air Force is a national level exam conducted twice a year to recruit young candidates for Airmen Group X and Group Y post. Candidates interested in serving the nation and applying for the post of Airmen Group X & Y can check out the detailed selection procedure of Indian Air Force Airmen Group X & Group Y exam.
Indian Air Force Group X & Y Selection Process
The selection process of the Indian Air Force examination is conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF Group X & Y selection process will consist of 3 different rounds including the written test, physical fitness test, and medical test. To grab the post under Group X or Group Y, candidates need to appear and pass all the selection rounds.
Indian Air Force Group X & Y Eligibility Criteria
The various parameters along which the eligibility criteria for Air Force Group X and Y posts is discussed in this article are as follows:
Age Limit
Educational Qualifications
Physical/Medical Standards
Visual Standards
Indian Air Force Group X & Y Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit
The age limit for various posts is different. The details are as follows:
Post |
Age Limit |
|---|---|
| GROUP ‘X’ Trades (Except Education Instructor) | 17-21 years of age |
| GROUP ‘X’: Education Instructor Trade | 20-25 years of age or 20-28 years of age depending on the subjects of the candidates |
| GROUP ‘Y’ Trades (Except Med Asst and Musician) | 17-21 years of age |
| GROUP ‘Y: Med Asst Trade | 17-21 years of age |
| GROUP ‘Y’: Musician Trade | 17-25 years of age |
GROUP ‘X’: Education Instructor Trade
- BA with English as one the subjects or B.Sc with Physics/ Psychology/ Chemistry/ Mathematics/ IT / Computer Science/ Statistics as one of the subjects or BCA with minimum 50% marks.
(ii) B.Ed degree with minimum of 50% marks from a Government recognized institute.
(iii) Graduation and B.Ed programmes should be recognized by UGC/ NCTE/ Competent accreditation authority.
OR,
MA in English/ Psychology or M.Sc in Mathematics/ Physics/ Statistics/ Computer Science/ IT or MCA with 50% marks.
(ii) B.Ed degree with minimum of 50% marks from a government recognized institute.
(iii) Graduation, Post-Graduation and B.Ed programmes should be recognized by UGC/ NCTE/ Competent accreditation authority
| GROUP ‘Y’Trades (Except Med Asst and Musician) | Should have passed Class 10 + 2/Intermediate/Equivalent exam from an education board / Institute listed in Council of Boards for School Education (COBSE) website as members, in any stream/subjects with minimum 50% marks in aggregate and 50% marks in English as per the mark sheet of Class 10 + 2 / Intermediate /Equivalent exam. |
| GROUP ‘Y: Med Asst Trade | Passed 10+2 / Intermediate / equivalent exam with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate, and 50% marks in English. |
| GROUP ‘Y’: Musician Trade | Passed Matriculation /10th class or equivalent with minimum pass marks from any Government recognised School/Boards and should be proficient in playing at least one of the following musical instruments: Trumpet / Bass / Violin / Saxophone / Clarinet / Euphonium / Jazz-Drum / Piccolo / Bass Trombone / Key Board / Guitar / Sarod / Viola / Cello / Contra Bass (String Bass). |
Physical/Medical Standards
To get selected as an Airman, the candidate must be physically and mentally FIT to perform duties in any part of the world, climate and terrain. Physical/Medical Standards to become an Airman are as follows:-
| Standards and Height | As per the table given below. |
| Weight | Weight should be proportionate to height and age. |
| Chest | The minimum range of expansion: 5 cm |
| Hearing | Should have normal hearing i.e. able to hear forced whisper from a distance of 6 meters by each ear separately. |
| Dental | Should have healthy gums, a good set of teeth and minimum of 14 dental points. |
| Health | Candidates should be of normal anatomy without loss of any appendages. He should be free from all communicable diseases & skin ailments. Candidate must be physically and mentally FIT to perform duty in any part of the world, in any climate and terrain. |
Body Tattoo
Permanent body tattoos are not permitted, however tattoos only on inner face of the fore arms(inside of elbow to the wrist), back(dorsal) part of the hand/reverse side of the palm and Tribals with tattoos which are as per custom Traditions of their tribes may be considered. However, right to decide on the acceptability /unacceptability of the individual rests with the Selection Centre. Candidates with permanent body tattoos are to submit two photographs(close up and distinct view) with details of the size and type of the Tattoo.
Note: (a)
The minimum height acceptable for recruitment will be 152.5 cms. For the following trades the minimum required height (determined at training centers)
| Sr No. | Trade | Candidates from | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NE & Hill States | Other States | ||
| (a) | Auto Tech | 162.5cm | 165cm |
| (b) | GTI and PJI | 162.5cm | 167cm |
| (c) | IAF(P) | 175cm | 175cm |
| (d) | Musician | 162cm | 162cm |
b) Candidates from NE and Hill states includes Gorkhas, Kumaonis, Garhwalis, Assamese and those belonging to the States of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Sikkim and hilly areas of Uttarakhand.
Indian Air Force Group X, Y Eligibility Criteria
Visual Standards
Group X
| Trade | Visual Acuity | Maximum limits of Ref Error | Colour Vision | Height | Leg Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop Fitter (Mechanical), Workshop Fitter (Smith), Structure Fitter, Propulsion Fitter, Electronic Fitter, Electrical Fitter, Weapon Fitter, *Automobile Fitter, *Mechanical System Fitter |
6/12 each eye correctable to 6/6 each eye | Hypermetropia +2.0D Myopia1D including +/- 0.50 astigmatism |
CP-II |
152.5 cm | The minimum leg length required for Mechanical System Fitter and Automobile Fitter is 99 cm. |
| Education Instructor | 6/36 each eye correctable to 6/9 each eye. | Not exceeding +/-3.50D including astigmatism | CP-III | 152.5 cm | NA |
| Trade | Visual Acuity | Maximum limits of Ref Error | Colour Vision | Height | Leg Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ops Assistant | 6/12 each eye correctable to 6/6 each eye | Hypermetropia +2.0D Myopia1D including +/- 0.50 astigmatism | CP-II | 152.5 cm | NA |
| Admin Assistant, Accounts Assistant, Medical Assistant, Logistics Assistant |
6/36 each eye correctable to 6/9 each eye. | Not exceeding +/-3.50D including astigmatism | CP-III | 152.5 cm | NA |
| Environmental Support ServicesAssistant (ESSA), Cryptographer,Met Assistant, Communication Technician |
6/36 each eye correctable to 6/9 each eye | Not exceeding +/-3.50D including astigmatism | CP-II | 152.5 cm | NA |
| Auto Technician | 6/12 each eye correctable to 6/6 each eye | Hypermetropia +2.0D Myopia1D including +/- 0.50 astigmatism | CP-II | 165 cm (162.5 cm for North East & Hill states) | NA |
| Ground Training Instructor (GTI) | 6/12 each eye correctable to 6/6 each eye | Hypermetropia +2.0D Myopia1D including +/- 0.50 astigmatism | CP-II | 167 cm (162.5 cm for North East & Hill states) | NA |
| Indian Air Force (Police)[IAF(P)] | Unaided Visual acuity of 6/6 | Not Applicable | CP-II | 175 cm | NA |
| Indian Air Force (Security)[IAF(S)] | Unaided Visual acuity of 6/6 | Not Applicable | CP-II | 152.5 cm | NA |
| Musician | 6/36 each eye correctable to 6/9 each eye. | Not exceeding +/-3.50D including astigmatism | CP-III | 162 cm | NA |
Indian Air Force Group X, Y Eligibility Criteria:
Number of Attempts
There is no official restriction on the number of attempts for Air Force Group X and Y Exam. Candidates can appear for Air Force Group X and Y Exam as long as they satisfy the above-mentioned eligibility criteria.
Selection Stages of IAF Airmen Group X & Y
The selection for Airmen Group X & Y posts in the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be based on the following 3 stages:
- Stage 1: Written Tes
- Stage 2: Physical Fitness Test
- Stage 3: Medical Test
- Stage 4: Merit List
Airforce Group X & Y Written Test
The Phase I consists of an All India Selection Test which will be conducted this year only at different centres. The Indian Air Force Group X and Y exam mode is online.
IAF Group X and Y exam pattern:
| Group | Subjects | Duration |
| Group X | Physics – 25 Marks English – 20 Marks Mathematics – 25 Marks |
60 Minutes |
| Group Y | RAGA (Reasoning and General Awareness) – 30 Marks English – 20 Marks |
45 Minutes |
| Group X & Y | Physics – 25 Marks English – 20 Marks Mathematics – 25 Marks RAGA (Reasoning and General Awareness) – 30 Marks |
85 Minutes |
The test will be in bilingual language (both English and Hindi) except for the English paper. The paper is of 10+2 level. There will be a sectional cutoff for all the subjects in addition to an overall cutoff.
Airforce Group X & Y
Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
The Indian Air Force demands physical fitness and hence it is mandatory to pass the PFT. Following are the fitness test that shall be conducted:
-
- 1.6 km run in 6 min 30 sec
- 10 Push-up
- 20 Squat
- 10 Sit-ups
Note: There are no marks assigned for PFT, it only of qualifying nature.
Adaptability Test-1:
The candidates who clear the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) will then proceed to the adaptability test where the first test is SRT (Situation Reaction Test). Here the decision making, response/reaction of a candidate is assessed. There are a total of 45 SRTs for which a total of 30 minutes is allotted. This test assesses the attitude of a candidate in response to the qualities set by the defence forces for selecting a candidate of the right frame of mind.
Adaptability Test-2:
After clearing the Adaptability Test 1, selected candidates appear for Group Discussion. This comprises of 10-15 candidates sitting in a group which are assigned a common topic and discuss their views on it. The topics are related to current affairs and social events. This test checks the knowledge as well as the communication skill of a person. Interpersonal skills such as convincing ability are also assessed.
After clearing all the rounds, those candidates that are shortlisted are given Test Series with the dates of medical examinations along with the venue.
Airforce Group X & Y
Medical Test
The candidates after clearing Adaptability Test 2 then appear for medical examination where they are checked and cleared medically.
Airforce Group X & Y : Merit List
All those candidates who have cleared the medical are then shortlisted on the basis of marks and based on that a merit list is made. The candidates whose name is mentioned in the merit list are issued a call letter and enrolled in the Indian Air Force with Joint Basic Training being carried out at Belgavi, Karnataka.
Indian Air Force Group X and Y Eligibility Criteria FAQs
Q. What is the upper age limit to apply for Air Force Group Y Trades?
A. The upper age limit to apply for Air Force Group Y Trades is 21 years.
Q. Does the upper age limit for Air Force Group X and Y Recruitment differ according to the posts?
A. Yes the upper age limit to apply for Air Force Group X and Y Recruitment differs according to the posts.
Q. Can a candidate who has passed class 12 apply for Air Force Group X Exam?
A. Yes, a candidate who has passed class 12 can apply for Air Force Group X Exam.
Q. Are there medical standards that must be met by candidates to be eligible for Air Force Group X and Y Exam?
A. Yes there are various medical standards that must be satisfied by candidates to be eligible for Air Force Group X and Y Exam.
Q. What is the upper age limit to apply for Air Force Group X Trades (Except Education Instructor)?
A. The upper age limit to apply for Air Force Group X Trades (Except Education Instructor) is 21 years.