The Air Force Academy at Dundigal, near Hyderabad in Telangana, is the premier training institution of the Indian Air Force (IAF), where flight cadets and officer trainees are prepared for commissioning as officers in the flying, technical and ground duty branches. The Academy has functioned from its present campus since 1971 and is the place where the IAF’s future pilots, engineers and administrators complete their pre-commissioning training before receiving the President’s commission.
The Air Force Academy is distinct from the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla, Pune, which provides the first phase of training for cadets of all three services who join after school. This explainer describes how the Academy was established, which branches it trains, how a pilot progresses through its stages, how the Combined Graduation Parade works and what the Academy’s motto means; last reviewed on 8 October 2026.
| Quick Facts: Air Force Academy, Dundigal | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Air Force Academy (AFA), Indian Air Force |
| Location | Dundigal, near Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Established at Dundigal | 1971 |
| Parent service | Indian Air Force, under the Ministry of Defence |
| Branches trained | Flying, Technical and Ground Duty |
| Motto | Nabhah Sprisham Deeptam, meaning “Touch the sky with glory” |
| Commissioning authority | The President of India, who is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces |
| Culminating event | Combined Graduation Parade (CGP), held twice a year |
| Training aircraft families | Pilatus PC-7 Mk II (basic), Kiran (intermediate) and Hawk (advanced jet) |
Key Takeaways
- The Air Force Academy of the Indian Air Force is located at Dundigal near Hyderabad, Telangana, and has operated from this campus since 1971.
- The Air Force Academy trains officers for three branches of the Indian Air Force: flying, technical and ground duty.
- The motto of the Indian Air Force and its Academy, Nabhah Sprisham Deeptam, means “Touch the sky with glory” and is taken from the Bhagavad Gita.
- Graduating cadets of the Air Force Academy receive a commission in the Indian Air Force at the Combined Graduation Parade, which is held twice a year.
- Flying branch trainees progress through a sequence of basic, intermediate and advanced flying stages, and receive their wings only after clearing the flying stages.
- Entry into the Air Force Academy is through examinations such as the National Defence Academy exam, the Combined Defence Services Examination and the Air Force Common Admission Test.
What is the Air Force Academy of India?
The Air Force Academy of India is the Indian Air Force’s principal officer-training establishment, responsible for converting selected candidates into commissioned officers of the IAF. It is a service institution under the Ministry of Defence, and it sits at the apex of the IAF’s training system, which also includes the Air Force Technical College in Bengaluru and a number of specialised training schools.
The Academy’s work has two parts. It runs the pre-commissioning courses for new entrants, and it provides the military and academic foundation that every IAF officer shares regardless of branch. Flying branch trainees, who train to become pilots, also complete the principal flying stages in the Academy’s training system.
Graduates leave the Academy as officers, normally with the rank of Flying Officer in the flying branch or an equivalent rank in the others, and proceed to their operational units or to further specialist training.
Where is the Air Force Academy and when was it established?
The Air Force Academy is located at Dundigal, about 25 to 30 kilometres from the centre of Hyderabad in Telangana, and it has functioned in its present form since 1971. The location has an airfield suitable for flying training, which is one reason Dundigal was selected as the long-term home of the Academy.
The IAF’s officer training had earlier been carried out at different establishments, and the creation of a single, dedicated Academy at Dundigal brought flying, technical and ground duty cadet training together in one campus. This arrangement allowed the IAF to maintain a common military culture among officers who later serve in very different roles.
The Hyderabad area is home to several other defence and training establishments, including other IAF stations. Dundigal itself has become closely associated in the public mind with the pass-out ceremonies of new air force officers.
Which branches of officers does the Academy train?
The Academy trains officers for three branches of the IAF: the Flying branch, the Technical branch and the Ground Duty branch. Together these branches cover the full range of work required to operate an air force, from piloting aircraft to maintaining them and running the organisation on the ground.
Branches and their roles
| Branch | Main role | Examples of work |
|---|---|---|
| Flying | Operating aircraft and helicopters | Fighter, transport and helicopter pilots, and weapon system operators |
| Technical | Engineering and maintenance of aircraft and systems | Aeronautical engineering (electronics) and aeronautical engineering (mechanical) |
| Ground Duty (Administration) | Running air bases and personnel matters | Administration, logistics, accounts and education |
| Ground Duty (Specialist) | Specialist non-flying functions | Meteorology and similar specialisations |
The Flying branch is the best-known and receives the most attention. The Technical branch is no less important, since an air force’s readiness depends on how many aircraft can be kept serviceable at any time. Ground duty officers, for their part, handle the logistics, finance, administration and weather support without which air operations cannot function.
How do candidates enter the Air Force Academy?
Candidates reach the Air Force Academy mainly through national examinations followed by the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) tests and a medical examination. The routes differ by branch and by whether the candidate is entering after school, during graduation or after graduation.
- National Defence Academy (NDA): Cadets who select the Air Force wing at the NDA complete their foundational training at Khadakwasla, then join the Air Force Academy for flying training and commissioning.
- Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE): Graduates can enter the flying branch through this examination followed by Air Force Selection Board tests.
- Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT): This IAF-conducted examination is the main route for flying, technical and ground duty branches, with the technical and ground duty entry subject to branch-specific qualifications.
- NCC Special Entry: Candidates holding the NCC “C” certificate with the required grade can apply for the flying branch through a dedicated channel.
Aspirants for the flying branch must clear a computerised pilot selection test in addition to the usual interviews and psychological tests. Medical standards, especially vision and general fitness, are strict for pilots because of the physical demands of flying.
Women have been inducted as officers into the IAF, including in the flying branch, since the 1990s for certain streams, and women fighter pilots were commissioned from 2016 onward. Women officers train at the Academy alongside their male course-mates, and the training standards are the same.
What are the stages of flying training at the Air Force Academy?
Flying training for the IAF’s pilots proceeds in successive stages that move from a basic propeller trainer to an intermediate trainer and then to an advanced jet trainer, with ground school and military training running in parallel. The structure is deliberately progressive, since each stage prepares the trainee for the demands of the next.
Basic stage
The basic stage introduces cadets to flying on a turboprop trainer. For many years the IAF used the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II, a Swiss-designed aircraft, for this purpose, and it replaced older piston-engined trainers. At this stage trainees learn the fundamentals: take-off and landing, aerobatics, navigation exercises and solo flying.
Intermediate and advanced stages
The intermediate stage has traditionally used the HAL Kiran, an Indian-built jet trainer that served the IAF for decades. The advanced stage uses the BAE Hawk, a more sophisticated jet trainer that prepares pilots for the cockpit of modern fighters through exposure to higher speeds, greater workload and more demanding manoeuvres. Over the years the exact allocation of aircraft and the stage in which each is used has changed with fleet availability, and the IAF has also moved toward indigenous trainers such as the HAL HTT-40 to modernise the system.
After the Academy
Successful trainees are awarded their pilot’s wings and are then streamed to fighter, transport or helicopter flying according to their performance and the IAF’s requirements. Fighter pilots then undergo conversion training on operational aircraft at specialised units before joining a squadron. This post-wings training is not a part of the Academy’s own programme, but it forms an essential link in the chain.
What is the Combined Graduation Parade?
The Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) is the ceremonial pass-out parade at the Air Force Academy at which flight cadets and officer trainees of all branches graduate together and are formally commissioned as officers of the Indian Air Force. The parade takes its name from the fact that cadets of the flying, technical and ground duty branches pass out on the same day in a single combined ceremony.
The CGP is conducted twice a year, normally in June and December, and is reviewed by a distinguished guest, often a senior officer of the armed forces or another dignitary. The reviewing officer takes the salute, inspects the parade and presents the awards. Parents and families of the graduating cadets attend, and the “pipping” ceremony, in which family members or the reviewing officer place the rank insignia on the new officers’ shoulders, is one of the moments for which the parade is best remembered.
The main honours given at the parade include the Sword of Honour and the President’s Plaque, which recognise the most outstanding cadets of the graduating course. Other trophies and medals recognise excellence in individual subjects such as flying, academics and drill. Among the traditional moments of the ceremony is a fly-past by IAF aircraft over the parade ground.
What does the motto of the Air Force Academy mean?
The motto of the Air Force Academy, Nabhah Sprisham Deeptam, means “Touch the sky with glory”. It is the same motto as that of the Indian Air Force as a whole and is derived from the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, where Arjuna describes the vision of the cosmic form of Krishna.
The motto expresses the aspiration of the air force’s personnel to attain excellence in the skies and to serve the nation with honour. It appears on the crest of the Academy and on the insignia of the IAF. The Academy’s traditions, such as the oath and the pass-out parade, put emphasis on the values the motto suggests: courage, integrity and service before self.
What does a flight cadet’s day look like during training?
A flight cadet’s day at the Air Force Academy is a mix of physical training, classroom instruction, drill and flying or technical exercises, and the schedule is demanding by design. Cadets rise early for physical training, attend academic classes in subjects such as aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology, air law and service writing, and spend the remainder of the day in practical sessions.
Training at the Academy covers four broad areas:
- Ground subjects: aerodynamics, aircraft systems, navigation, meteorology, and military and air force history.
- Physical and outdoor training: physical conditioning, drill, swimming, field exercises and sports.
- Leadership and officer-like qualities: command exercises, communication and character-building activities.
- Flying or specialised practicals: flying sorties for the flying branch, and hands-on technical or administrative instruction for the other branches.
Cadets are graded on all these areas, and the final order of merit takes academic, flying and general service performance into account. A cadet who is unable to meet the flying standard may be offered re-streaming to another branch where possible, though rules in this regard vary by course and entry.
Why does the Air Force Academy matter for India’s defence?
The Air Force Academy matters because it produces the officer corps on which the Indian Air Force depends for its operational readiness and leadership. The IAF is one of the largest air forces in the world, and every officer in it, whether pilot, engineer or administrator, passes through this institution or an equivalent pre-commissioning course.
The Academy also supports India’s wider defence diplomacy. It has trained officers from friendly foreign countries, and its graduates later take part in joint exercises and international deployments. Its role in setting common standards of discipline and professionalism is arguably as important as the technical skills it imparts.
Finally, the Academy serves as a link between the armed forces and the public. The Combined Graduation Parade, broadcast widely, is for many young Indians the visible face of a career in the air force.
Bottom Line
The Air Force Academy at Dundigal is the institution that turns selected candidates into Indian Air Force officers across the flying, technical and ground duty branches. Its stages of training, its Combined Graduation Parade and its motto Nabhah Sprisham Deeptam define the identity of the IAF’s officer corps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Air Force Academy of India located?
The Air Force Academy is located at Dundigal, near Hyderabad in Telangana. It has functioned from this campus since 1971. The location has an airfield used for flying training and is the venue for the Combined Graduation Parade.
What does the Air Force Academy train officers for?
The Air Force Academy trains officers for the flying, technical and ground duty branches of the Indian Air Force. Flying trainees become pilots, technical officers maintain aircraft and electronic systems, and ground duty officers manage administration, logistics, accounts and similar functions. All of them graduate with a commission from the President of India.
What is the motto of the Air Force Academy?
The motto of the Air Force Academy is Nabhah Sprisham Deeptam, which means “Touch the sky with glory”. It is also the motto of the Indian Air Force. The phrase comes from the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.
What is the Combined Graduation Parade?
The Combined Graduation Parade is the pass-out ceremony at the Air Force Academy where cadets of all branches are commissioned together as IAF officers. It is held twice a year, usually in June and December. The Sword of Honour and the President’s Plaque are among the main honours presented at the parade.
How do you join the Air Force Academy?
Candidates join through the National Defence Academy, the Combined Defence Services Examination, the Air Force Common Admission Test or the NCC Special Entry, followed by selection board tests and a medical examination. The route depends on the branch and on the candidate’s educational qualification. Flying branch candidates also have to clear a pilot aptitude test.
Which aircraft are used for pilot training at the Academy?
Pilot training uses a progression of trainer aircraft, including the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II for the basic stage, the Kiran for the intermediate stage and the Hawk for the advanced jet stage. The exact allocation has changed over time as fleets have been renewed. The IAF has also been introducing indigenous trainers such as the HAL HTT-40.
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