The Indian Air Force (IAF) had released the AFCAT 1 Notification 2025, inviting applications for 336 vacancies in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branches. This recruitment drive was conducted to select eligible male and female candidates for the position of Group A Officers in these branches. The AFCAT 2025 notification had provided detailed information on salary structure, benefits, and perks, including housing facilities, medical benefits, and education support for children.
AFCAT Salary Structure
Officers selected through AFCAT 2025 will receive a monthly salary starting at ₹56,100. In addition to the basic salary, they are entitled to allowances and benefits, including dearness allowance, transport allowance, and flying allowance for those in the flying branch. This article covers these details, serving as motivation for candidates during their preparation. The salary structure varies across different levels and ranks, with each department offering pay based on the officer’s rank. Below are the key points outlining the salary for each rank.
AFCAT Salary 2025
As the head of the Air Force, the Air Chief Marshal is responsible for making important decisions both in times of peace and conflict. For interested candidates, it is important to understand the salary structure for various ranks in the Indian Air Force. The pay scale and allowances vary depending on the rank and branch of the officer. Below, we provide a glimpse of the expected salary details for AFCAT 2025 candidates in various ranks. Keep a track of the official notification for complete details and updates.
| Rank | Level | (Pay in Rs.) |
| Flying Officer | Level 10 | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
| Flight Lieutenant | Level 10 B | 6,13,00-1,93,900 |
| Squadron Leader | Level 11 | 6,94,00 – 2,07,200 |
| Wing Commander | Level 12A | 1,21,200 – 2,12400 |
| Group Captain | Level 13 | 1,30,600-2, 15,900 |
| Air Commodore | Level 13A | 1,39,600-2,17,600 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Level 14 | 1,44,200-2,18,200 |
| Air Marshal HAG Scale | Level 15 | 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
| HAG + Scale | Level 16 | 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VACS/Airforce Cdr / Air Marshal (NFSG) | Level 17 | 2,25,000/-(fixed) |
| CAS | Level 18 | 2,50,000/-(fixed) |
- Flying Allowance @ Rs 11250 PM to Flying Branch Officers.
- Technical Allowance @ Rs 2500 PM to Technical Branch Officers
Specifications about Flying and Technical Allowances Flying and technical allowances are additional payments made to employees in certain industries to compensate them for the extra time, effort, and skills required to perform their jobs –
|
Rank
|
Flying Pay
|
|
Flying Officer
|
Rs 11,250 /-
|
|
Flight Lieutenant
|
Rs 13,750 /-
|
|
Squadron Leader
|
Rs 17,500/-
|
|
Wing Commander
|
Rs 17,500/-
|
|
Group Captain
|
Rs 17,500/-
|
|
Air Commodore & above
|
Rs 13,125/-
|
AFCAT Salary for Different Branch
AFCAT 2025 gives detailed information about the salary structure for officers in various branches of the Indian Air Force (IAF). This information is based on 2024, in which there has been a slight change. Flying branch officers are expected to get an annual salary of ₹ 10.8 to ₹ 11.4 lakh. Technical branch ground duty officers are expected to get an annual salary of ₹ 9.6 to ₹ 10.2 lakh. Non-technical branch ground duty officers will earn around ₹ 75,000 to ₹ 80,000 per month, resulting in their annual salary of ₹ 9 to ₹ 9.6 lakh. These figures reflect a general range, and actual salaries may vary depending on specific postings, ranks and government amendments. All types of salary structures are shown below through the table.
| Salary Details | Flying Branch | Ground Duty (Technical Branch) | Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 56,100 | 56,100 | 56,100 |
| MSP | 15,500 | 15,500 | 15,500 |
| DA (28%) | 15,708 | 15,708 | 15,708 |
| Branch Specific Pay | Flying Pay – 25,000 | Technical Pay – 10,000 | – |
| TA ( For X Class Cities) | 7,200 | 7,200 | 7,200 |
| DA on TA (28%) | 2,016 | 2,016 | 2,016 |
| Kit Maintenance | 600 | – | – |
| Gross Salary | 1,22,024 | 1,06,524 | 96,524 |
AFCAT Training Stipend
During the AFCAT 2025 training period, candidates receive a monthly stipend instead of a regular salary to help cover their living expenses. The stipend amount differs based on the training phase and the officer’s rank.
In the initial Phase-I of training, Flying Officers are provided with a stipend of approximately ₹58,000 per month. As they progress to Phase-II and are promoted to Flight Lieutenant, the stipend increases to about ₹63,500 per month. In Phase-III, when trainees reach the rank of Squadron Leader, the stipend rises to approximately ₹72,000 per month. It’s important to note that these stipend figures are subject to revision by the Indian Air Force. Once the training period is completed, candidates are commissioned into their respective roles and begin earning a regular salary according to the pay scale for their rank..
Additional Benefits For Air Force Officers
In addition to their basic AFCAT salary, Indian Air Force officers are entitled to a range of allowances, which vary depending on their branch, duties, and location of posting. Officers in the Flying Branch, for instance, receive a Flying Allowance as part of their compensation. Those in the Technical Branch are eligible for a Technical Allowance. Further, officers posted in challenging environments or specialized roles may receive additional allowances, such as the Test Pilot & Flight Test Engineer Allowance for those involved in flight testing, and the Field Area Allowance for personnel stationed in operational areas.
Officers posted in high-altitude or difficult regions may be entitled to the Siachen Allowance or Special Compensatory Allowance (Hill areas), while those stationed in island territories or remote areas could receive the Island Special Duty Allowance and Area and Remote Locality Allowance. These allowances are designed to compensate for the extra challenges and responsibilities associated with specific assignments and locations.
Privileges and Benefits
Along with their salary and allowances, IAF officers receive various benefits and amenities. These include furnished housing, medical coverage for themselves and their families, access to canteens and the officer’s mess, loans at reduced rates, and Leave Travel Concession (LTC). Air Force officers are entitled to 60 days of annual leave and 20 days of casual leave, depending on service requirements. Below are the perks and benefits associated with the AFCAT salary.
| Educational Benefits | Details |
| Study Leave (up to 24 months) | Allows officers to pursue further education with a study leave duration of up to 24 months. |
| M.Tech from IIT & BHU-IT | Officers in technical branches have the opportunity to pursue M.Tech from prestigious institutions like IIT and BHU-IT. |
| Tie-ups with IGNOU | Collaborations with IGNOU provide additional educational avenues for Air Force officers. |
| Scholarships and Welfare | Details |
| Grants from AFWWA (Air Force Wives Welfare Association) | Officers can benefit from grants provided by AFWWA, supporting their welfare and well-being. |
| Insurance | Details |
| Comprehensive Insurance Coverage | Officers are insured for ₹75 lakhs with an additional ₹10 lakhs for pilots, covering all contingencies. Monthly contribution rates are minimal. |
| Loan Facility | Details |
| House Building Loan | Officers can avail loans for building houses. |
| Conveyance Loan | Loans are available for conveyance purposes. |
| Computer Loan | Loans for acquiring computers are facilitated. |
| Placement Cell | Details |
| Civil Job Opportunities | The placement cell assists retired officers in securing civil jobs after their service in the Air Force. |
| Medical Allowances | Details |
| Medical Benefits for Officers and Families | Comprehensive medical allowances are extended to all Air Force officers and their families. |
| Post-retirement Benefits | Details |
| Pension | Officers receive pension benefits post-retirement. |
| Insurance | Post-retirement insurance coverage is provided. |
| Medical (Lifetime Access) | Lifetime medical access is ensured for retired officers. |
| Other Benefits | Details |
| Recreational and Sports Facilities | Officers have access to recreational and sports facilities. |
| Secured Camp Life | The camp life is secured and well-supported. |
| Accommodation | Adequate accommodation facilities are provided. |
| Rail Concessions | Concessions on rail travel are available. |
| Leave Travel Concessions | Officers can avail leave travel concessions. |
| School Facilities | Facilities for education are available for officers’ children. |
| Institute and Messes Membership | Officers have membership access to institutes and messes. |
| Leave – Annual and Casual | Officers are entitled to annual leave for 60 days and 20 days of casual leave per year. |
| CSD Facilities | Officers can benefit from Canteen Stores Department (CSD) facilities. |
AFCAT Job Profile
| Branch | Job Description |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | Operate fighter planes in combat, transport ammunition and material, provide air support and supplies, use helicopters in emergencies. |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | Maintain aircraft technical equipment, provide tools and equipment to technicians, handle aircraft service, manage aircraft technical procedures. |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Manage fighter controller and air traffic controller, handle financial records, manage departmental logistics, provide education. |
AFCAT Promotions and Career Growth
In the Indian Air Force, promotions are based on both performance and the length of service. After serving as Flying Officers for three years, individuals are eligible for promotion to Flight Lieutenant. Further advancements in rank depend on the successful completion of departmental exams. Six years of service typically paves the way for promotion to Squadron Leader, although Technical Officers with engineering qualifications may receive a two-year advantage in this process. To qualify for higher ranks, officers must pass the C examination, which evaluates their proficiency in both general subjects and specialized areas pertinent to their specific roles. This examination plays a key role in determining eligibility for promotions within the Air Force.
| Post | Level |
| Flying Officer | Junior Level |
| Flying Lieutenant | |
| Squadron Leader | Executive Level |
| Wing Commander | |
| Group Captain | |
| Air Comrade | Director level |
| Air Vice- Marshal | |
| Air Marshal | |
| Air Chief Marshal | Chief |
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