Note
The official PAF recruitment site, joinpaf.gov.pk, could not be reached when this page was reviewed. The details below come from preparation sites that report PAF advertisements, and they do not always agree. Check the current advertisement on joinpaf.gov.pk before you apply.
Overview
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) recruits officers and airmen through regular intakes. Candidates register online at joinpaf.gov.pk, sit a computer-based initial test, and then move through interviews, medical checks and, for officers, the Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB).
Each branch and intake has its own advertisement and criteria. This page uses the General Duty Pilot (GD(P)) course, an officer entry, as the worked example.
Who can apply
Worked example: GD(P) course. Both sources report these conditions for the 2026 intakes:
Pakistani citizen, male or female, unmarried;
aged 16 to 22, measured against the date in the advertisement;
F.Sc with physics and mathematics (pre-engineering or ICS), or A levels with physics and mathematics, with a minimum percentage set in the advertisement (the sources report 60% and 65%);
minimum height of 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) for men and 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) for women;
6/6 vision in each eye without glasses.
Exam pattern
The initial test is taken on the PAF's computer-based e-testing system. Both sources describe two stages:
| Stage | Content |
|---|---|
| Intelligence test | Verbal and non-verbal intelligence multiple-choice questions |
| Academic test | Multiple-choice questions in English, physics and mathematics |
The intelligence test comes first and is a screening stage: candidates who fail it do not go on to the academic test. The sources disagree on the number of questions, timings and pass marks, so rely on the instructions given at the test centre.
Selection stages
Candidates who pass the initial test continue through these stages, as reported by the sources (the order and exact steps differ between them):
Initial interview and preliminary medical examination.
Physical tests.
ISSB assessment over several days.
Final medical board.
Flying Aptitude Test (for GD(P) candidates) at Risalpur.
Final merit list.
Important dates
Both sources report that GD(P) registration usually opens twice a year, around February to March and July to August. One source gives the second 2026 window as 22 July to 3 August 2026. Dates change each intake.
After selection
Selected GD(P) cadets train at the PAF Academy Asghar Khan in Risalpur and are commissioned as officers on completion. One source reports a four-year programme leading to a bachelor's degree.
How to apply
Watch joinpaf.gov.pk and PAF newspaper advertisements for the next intake.
Register online during the registration window and choose your branch.
Attend the initial test on the date you are given.
Preparation tips
Practise verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions under time pressure, since the intelligence test screens candidates out first.
Revise F.Sc physics and mathematics and basic English grammar and vocabulary.
Get your eyesight and fitness checked early; vision and height rules are strict for the GD(P) branch.
What is the age limit for the PAF GD(P) course?
The sources report 16 to 22 years, counted to the date in the advertisement.
Can women join the PAF as pilots?
Yes. Both sources list the GD(P) course as open to unmarried men and women, with a minimum height of 5 ft 2 in for women.
What happens if I fail the intelligence test?
The intelligence test is a screening stage, so you cannot continue to the academic test in that attempt.