AFCAT Exam Guide — Eligibility, Syllabus, and Selection Process

What is the AFCAT Exam?

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) twice a year to recruit officers in the Flying Branch, Technical Branch, and Ground Duty Branch. AFCAT is the primary entry route for graduates to join the Indian Air Force as commissioned officers.

AFCAT offers both Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission (14 years, extendable up to 20 years) depending on the branch.

Who is Eligible?

Age Limit

• Flying Branch: 20-24 years (25 years for candidates holding valid/current Commercial Pilot License)
• Technical Branch: 20-26 years
• Ground Duty Branch: 20-26 years

Educational Qualification

• Flying Branch: Graduate with 60% in aggregate AND 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics (minimum 60%)
• Technical Branch: BE/BTech in specified engineering disciplines (60% marks)
• Ground Duty (Administration): Any graduate with 60% marks
• Ground Duty (Accounts): B.Com with 60% marks
• Ground Duty (Education): Post-graduate with 50% in specified subjects, or BE/BTech with 60%
• Ground Duty (Meteorology): Post-graduate in any science with Physics/Mathematics at graduation level

Gender

• Both male and female candidates are eligible for all branches

Marital Status

• Unmarried and married candidates both can apply (except Flying Branch — must be unmarried at the time of commencement of training if below 25)

AFCAT Exam Pattern

• Duration: 2 hours
• Mode: Online (computer-based)
• Marking: +3 for correct, -1 for wrong

EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) — For Technical Branch Only

• 50 questions, 150 marks, 45 minutes
• Conducted immediately after AFCAT
• Covers engineering subjects based on specialization

AFCAT Syllabus

General Awareness

• Current affairs — national and international
• Defence and Air Force related news
• Indian history, geography, and polity
• Sports, awards, and books
• Science and technology developments

Verbal Ability in English

• Comprehension passages
• Error detection and sentence completion
• Synonyms, antonyms, and vocabulary
• Idioms and phrases
• Cloze test

Numerical Ability

• Decimal fractions, percentages
• Ratio and proportion, average
• Simple and compound interest
• Profit and loss
• Time, distance, and work

Reasoning & Military Aptitude

• Verbal reasoning — analogy, classification, coding-decoding
• Non-verbal reasoning — figure series, pattern completion
• Spatial reasoning — mirror images, water images
• Data interpretation — tables and graphs
• Military aptitude — judgement and problem-solving

Application Process

1. Visit afcat.cdac.in when registration opens
2. Register with a valid email ID
3. Fill in personal, educational, and preference details
4. Upload photograph, signature, and certificates
5. Select preferred branch and exam centre
6. Pay the application fee and submit
7. Download the admit card when released

Application Fee

• ₹250 for all categories (non-refundable)
• Payment through net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI

Selection Process

Stage 1: AFCAT Written Exam

• Online test conducted at centres across India
• Separate cut-off for each branch

Stage 2: AFSB Interview (5 Days)

• Day 1: Screening — OIR test and PPDT
• Days 2-4: Psychological tests, GTO tasks, personal interview
• Day 5: Conference
• Similar to SSB interview for Army/Navy

Stage 3: Medical Examination

• Conducted at Air Force medical facilities
• Strict vision standards, especially for Flying Branch
• Flying Branch: 6/6 vision in each eye (correctable with PRK/LASIK surgery at least 1 year prior)

Stage 4: Merit List

• IAF publishes final merit based on AFCAT + AFSB scores
• Candidates choose posting preferences

Training

Important Dates (Annual Cycle)

Important Tips

• Flying Branch has strict medical standards — get your eyes checked early; LASIK is allowed but must be done 1+ year before AFSB
• Reasoning section carries maximum marks — focus heavily on this section
• Current affairs must include defence news — IAF exercises, new aircraft inductions, and defence deals
• Physical fitness — AFSB includes outdoor group tasks requiring stamina
• EKT preparation — technical branch candidates must prepare engineering fundamentals thoroughly

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for AFCAT after completing BE/BTech?

Yes, engineering graduates can apply for Flying Branch, Technical Branch, and Ground Duty branches depending on their discipline and marks.

Is AFCAT easier than CDS?

AFCAT and CDS have different patterns. AFCAT is generally considered more focused and slightly easier in terms of syllabus depth. However, the AFSB interview standards are equally rigorous. See our CDS exam guide for comparison.

What is the salary of an IAF officer?

An IAF officer (Flying Officer rank) starts at approximately ₹56,100 basic pay plus flying allowance (for pilots), MSP, DA, and other allowances. Total in-hand salary is approximately ₹80,000-1,20,000 per month.

Can female candidates join the Flying Branch?

Yes, female candidates are eligible for the Flying Branch through AFCAT, including fighter pilot roles.

Is there any bond period after AFCAT training?

Short Service Commission officers serve for 14 years (10 years initial + 4 years extension). Permanent Commission officers serve until retirement.

What happens if I fail the medical test?

You can appeal within 21 days and appear for a review medical examination at a specified military hospital.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. CitizenNest is not affiliated with the Indian Air Force. Visit indianairforce.nic.in for official information.