IAF recruitment drive in Ranchi

RANCHI: Indian Air Force (IAF)’s recruitment drive conducted exclusively for Jharkhand youths began at Prabhat Tara ground in Dhurwa on Tuesday with aspirants from 12 districts undergoing various tests on the first day. The drive, which will end on February 8, will be held in two phases, officials said, adding that tests for the remaining 12 districts will be held from February 7.
Ravi Ahlawat, Wing Commander of Bihta (Patna)-based 10 Airman Selection Centre, who is supervising the recruitment drive said the exercise is aimed at filling the demographic gap in their workforce.“There are a very few youths from Jharkhand in IAF, which is why we are conducting the drive solely for this state this time,” he said. He however could not provide figures of the people from Jharkhand serving in IAF.
Ahlawat said the candidates will have to verify their domicile records, failing which their candidature will be cancelled. “To maintain transparency, the candidates have been asked to provide their educational records along with domicile certificates on the spot so that we can scrutinise them during the initial stages to prevent any confusion later. A similar process will be followed for remaining candidates of 12 other districts,” he added.
The recruitment drive is for Autotech category, which offers employment opportunities in semi-technical works. The candidates are supposed to clear two physical fitness tests (PFTs), which includes running 1.6km within 6.5 minutes. The second PFT consists of squats and push-ups which are to be done under supervision of physical trainers who are a part of the contingent.
Upon successful completion of PFTs, a candidate will have to take up a written exam of 45 minutes which will test their quantitative ability. Candidates scoring 50% marks will be eligible for group discussion for final selection.
Officials informed that the selected candidates will be given an appointment for medical examination which will be conducted at Air Force hospital in Gorakhpur which will start in July. The final merit be published in October 2019 by Central Airman Selection Centre, New Delhi post which selected candidates can start work from January, 2020.
Aman Kumar (18) who came from Bokaro for the drive said that he always aspired to be join the IAF. “I always wanted to be a pilot in the air force and was even selected twice for staff selection board batches at Mysore and Vizag. However, I was unlucky both the times. That is why I have come here to try my luck again,” he said.