The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted twice a year by the Indian Air Force to select officers for the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Both male and female candidates who meet the eligibility criteria — mainly graduation with 60% marks and specific age limits — can apply online by paying a nominal fee. The exam is a computer-based test with multiple-choice questions, followed by an Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview for shortlisted candidates.
Physical fitness, medical standards, and a year-long training post-selection are mandatory. There is no limit on the number of attempts as long as candidates meet the age and educational qualifications. Officers receive a stipend during training and attractive pay with allowances upon commissioning. NCC ‘C’ certificate holders and engineers have some additional advantages in the selection process.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Air Force Common Admission Test |
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Purpose | Recruitment of Officers in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (AFCAT-I in February, AFCAT-II in August/September) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Eligibility – Flying Branch | Graduation (min 60%) + 12th with Physics and Mathematics (min 50%) |
| Eligibility – Ground Duty (Tech) | Engineering Degree (min 60%) or equivalent |
| Eligibility – Ground Duty (Non-Tech) | Graduation (min 60%) or equivalent discipline |
| Age Limit – Flying Branch | 20 to 24 years (as of course commencement date) |
| Age Limit – Ground Duty | 20 to 26 years |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Marital Status | Unmarried (for training), Married candidates can apply for Ground Duty (over 25 years) |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Exam Sections | – General Awareness – Verbal Ability in English – Numerical Ability – Reasoning and Military Aptitude |
| Additional EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) | 45 minutes (only for Ground Duty (Technical) candidates) |
| EKT Sections | – Mechanical – Computer Science – Electrical & Electronics (as per branch choice) |
| Total Questions (AFCAT) | 100 Questions |
| Total Marks (AFCAT) | 300 Marks |
| Total Questions (EKT) | 50 Questions |
| Total Marks (EKT) | 150 Marks |
| Negative Marking | -1 for each wrong answer |
| Marking Scheme | +3 marks for correct answer, -1 mark for wrong answer |
| Selection Process | – Written Exam (AFCAT + EKT if applicable) – AFSB Interview – Medical Examination |
| AFSB Centers | Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, Guwahati |
| Training Academies | Air Force Academy (Dundigal, Hyderabad) |
| Official Website | https://afcat.cdac.in |
| Important Dates (example for AFCAT 2/2025) | Notification: May 2025 Exam: August 2025 Result: September 2025 |
| Salary During Training | Stipend of approx ₹56,100 per month |
| Rank after commissioning | Flying Officer |
| Permanent/Short Service Commission | – Flying Branch: SSC only (14 years, extendable) – Ground Duty: Both SSC and PC |
| Physical Fitness | Certain standards for height, weight, vision, hearing, and general health |
| Height Requirements | – Flying Branch: Minimum 162.5 cm – Ground Duty: Varies (~152 cm minimum) |
| Vision Standards | Specific; varies by branch; corrected vision acceptable within limits |
| Psychological Tests | Conducted at AFSB as part of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and SSB Testing |
| Language of Exam | English Only |
AFCAT Air Force Common Admission Test
The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a national-level examination conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) twice a year to recruit Commissioned Officers in various branches: Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical). This article provides a detailed overview of the AFCAT 2026 examination, encompassing important dates, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and the application process.
AFCAT 2 2025 (Course commencing in July 2026)
- Notification Release: Expected around May 2025
- Application Period: Expected from May to June 2025
- Admit Card Release: Expected in July 2025
- Exam Date: Expected in August 2025
- Result Declaration: Expected in September 2025
- AFSB Interviews: To be announced after the written test result
- Course Commencement: July 2026
AFCAT 2026 Exam Schedule
AFCAT is typically conducted twice a year. Based on the recent trends and the AFCAT 1 2025 schedule, here’s a likely timeline for AFCAT 2026:
AFCAT 1 2026 (Course commencing in January 2027)
- Notification Release: Expected around December 2025
- Application Period: Expected from December 2025 to January 2026
- Admit Card Release: Expected in February 2026
- Exam Date: Expected in February 2026
- Result Declaration: Expected in March 2026
- AFSB Interviews: To be announced after the written test result
- Course Commencement: January 2027
AFCAT 2 2026 (Course commencing in July 2027)
- Notification Release: Expected around May 2026
- Application Period: Expected from May to June 2026
- Admit Card Release: Expected in July 2026
- Exam Date: Expected in August 2026
- Result Declaration: Expected in September 2026
- AFSB Interviews: To be announced after the written test result
- Course Commencement: July 2027
Note: These dates are tentative and based on previous years’ schedules. Candidates must refer to the official AFCAT website (careerindianairforce.cdac.in or afcat.cdac.in) for the most up-to-date information.
Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT 2026
Candidates applying for AFCAT 2026 must fulfill the following nationality, age, marital status, and educational qualification criteria as of the course commencement date (January 1, 2027, for AFCAT 1 2026 and July 1, 2027, for AFCAT 2 2026).
1. Nationality: Must be a citizen of India.
2. Age Limit:
- Flying Branch (through AFCAT and NCC Special Entry): 20 to 24 years as of January 1, 2027 (born between January 2, 2003, and January 1, 2007, both dates inclusive). Candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) may have an upper age limit of 26 years (born between January 2, 2001, and January 1, 2007, both dates inclusive).
- Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branches: 20 to 26 years as of January 1, 2027 (born between January 2, 2001, and January 1, 2007, both dates inclusive).
3. Marital Status: Unmarried candidates below 25 years of age are eligible to apply. Marriage is not permitted during training.
4. Educational Qualification:
- Flying Branch:
- Passed Class 12th with a minimum of 50% marks in both Physics and Mathematics.
- AND a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline with at least 60% marks OR a BE/B.Tech degree (four-year course) with at least 60% marks OR cleared Section A and B examination of Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
- Ground Duty (Technical) Branch:
- Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) {AE(L)}: Passed Class 12th with a minimum of 50% marks in both Physics and Mathematics AND a minimum of four years degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/Technology in relevant streams.
- Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) {AE(M)}: Passed Class 12th with a minimum of 50% marks in both Physics and Mathematics AND a minimum of four years degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/Technology in relevant streams.
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches:
- Weapon Systems Branch: Graduate with a minimum of 60% marks in any discipline.
- Administration & Logistics: Graduate with a minimum of 60% marks in any discipline OR cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
- Accounts Branch: B.Com degree with a minimum of 60% marks OR passed Associate Membership of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) or Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICoAI) or MBA with Finance specialization with a minimum of 60% marks.
- Education Branch: Postgraduate degree with 50% marks in any discipline along with graduation with a minimum of 60% marks.
- Meteorology Branch: Passed B.Sc. with Physics and Mathematics with a minimum of 60% marks OR four-year graduation in Engineering/Technology disciplines with a minimum of 60% marks.
Note: Candidates in the final year/semester of their graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any backlog at the time of the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing and can produce their degree certificates as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
5. Physical and Medical Standards:
The IAF has specific physical and medical standards that candidates must meet. These standards vary for Flying and Ground Duty branches and include height, weight, vision standards (including color vision), hearing, and overall physical fitness. Detailed standards are provided in the official AFCAT notification. For the Flying Branch, a minimum height of 162.5 cm is required for both male and female candidates. For Ground Duty branches, the minimum height is 157.5 cm for males and 152 cm for females, with some relaxations for specific regions.
AFCAT 2026 Syllabus and Exam Pattern
The AFCAT written examination is an objective-type test conducted online. It consists of four sections:
| Subject Area | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 3 | 75 |
| Verbal Ability in English | 25 | 3 | 75 |
| Numerical Ability | 20 | 3 | 60 |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude | 30 | 3 | 90 |
| Total | 100 | 300 |
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The total duration of the AFCAT examination is two hours. There is a negative marking of one mark for each incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions.
Detailed Syllabus:
- General Awareness: History, Geography, Sports, National & International Organizations, Art & Culture, Personalities, Environment & Ecology, Indian Polity, Economy, Basic Science Based Knowledge, Science & Technology, Current Affairs (National & International), Defence.
- Verbal Ability in English: Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion/Filling in of correct words, Synonyms, Antonyms, Testing of Vocabulary, Idioms and Phrases, Analogy, Sentence Rearranging, Substitution in a Sentence, One Word Substitution.
- Numerical Ability: Decimal Fractions, Time and Work, Average/Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Time & Distance and Races (Trains/Boats & Streams), Area and Perimeter, Probability, Number System & Number Series, Mixture & Allegation Rules, Clocks.
- Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test: Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Ability, Analogy, Series, Embedded Figures, Spatial Visualization, Odd One Out, Venn Diagram, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding.
Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT):
Candidates applying for the Ground Duty (Technical) branches also have to appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) after clearing the AFCAT. The EKT is a 45-minute test with 50 objective-type questions, each carrying three marks, making a total of 150 marks. There is a negative marking of one mark for each incorrect answer in EKT as well. The syllabus for EKT varies based on the chosen engineering stream (Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics), Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical), Computer Science, Electrical & Electronics, and Allied Engineering).
AFCAT 2026 Application Process
The application for AFCAT 2026 will be online through the official websites (careerindianairforce.cdac.in or afcat.cdac.in). The general steps involved are:
- Registration: New candidates need to register on the portal by providing basic details like name, father’s name, mother’s name, email ID, and mobile number.
- Login: After successful registration, log in using the registered email ID and password.
- Application Form Filling: Fill in the detailed application form with personal information, educational qualifications, course preferences, and communication details.
- Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of your recent photograph, signature, and left thumb impression as per the specified format and size.
- Payment of Application Fee: Pay the non-refundable application fee online through credit/debit card or net banking. The fee for AFCAT entry is typically ₹550 (subject to change). There is no application fee for NCC Special Entry and Meteorology entry candidates.
- Submission: After completing all the steps and paying the fee (if applicable), submit the application form.
- Print Application: Take a printout of the submitted application form for your records.
AFCAT 2026 Selection Procedure
The selection process for AFCAT comprises the following stages:
- Written Examination (AFCAT and EKT, if applicable): Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be called for the online written examination.
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Test: Candidates who qualify in the written test will be called for further testing at one of the AFSB centers. The AFSB test consists of:
- Stage-I: Officer Intelligence Rating Test, Picture Perception and Discussion Test.
- Stage-II: Psychological Tests, Group Tests, and Interview.
- Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by the AFSB will undergo a medical examination as per the IAF standards.
- Merit List: A merit list is prepared based on the combined performance in the written examination and the AFSB tests. Candidates whose names appear in the merit list are called for training based on the available vacancies and their medical fitness.
AFCAT 2026 Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Thoroughly go through the AFCAT syllabus and exam pattern to plan your preparation effectively.
- Study Relevant Material: Use good quality study materials, including textbooks, reference books, and previous years’ question papers.
- Focus on Fundamentals: Build a strong foundation in basic concepts, especially in numerical ability and reasoning.
- Practice Regularly: Solve practice questions and take mock tests to assess your preparation level and improve time management.
- Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Keep abreast of national and international current events.
- Improve English Language Skills: Focus on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.
- Prepare for AFSB: If you clear the written test, start preparing for the various tests conducted at the AFSB, including psychological and group tests.
- Maintain Physical Fitness: Ensure you meet the required physical standards.
FAQs Air Force Common Admission Test
1. What is AFCAT?
AFCAT stands for Air Force Common Admission Test, conducted by the Indian Air Force to select officers for various branches including Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical).
2. Who conducts the AFCAT exam?
The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducts the AFCAT exam twice a year.
3. What are the branches available through AFCAT?
The branches are Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical).
4. How many times is AFCAT conducted in a year?
AFCAT is conducted twice a year, usually in February and August.
5. What is the eligibility criteria for the Flying Branch?
Candidates must be graduates (any discipline) with at least 60% marks and have passed Maths and Physics at 10+2 level. Age must be between 20 and 24 years.
6. What is the eligibility for Ground Duty (Technical) Branch?
Candidates should have an engineering degree with at least 60% marks. Age should be between 20 and 26 years.
7. What is the eligibility for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch?
Graduates with at least 60% marks in any discipline can apply. Age should be between 20 and 26 years.
8. Can females apply for AFCAT?
Yes, both male and female candidates can apply for AFCAT.
9. Is there any permanent commission for females in the Indian Air Force through AFCAT?
Currently, women can apply for Short Service Commission. Permanent Commission is offered to eligible women based on policy updates.
10. What is the mode of the AFCAT exam?
The AFCAT exam is conducted online (Computer-Based Test).
11. What is the exam pattern for AFCAT?
The AFCAT exam consists of 100 questions, each carrying 3 marks. Total duration is 2 hours.
12. Is there negative marking in AFCAT?
Yes, 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
13. What are the sections in the AFCAT paper?
General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test.
14. Is there a separate test for technical candidates?
Yes, technical candidates must take an additional Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).
15. What is EKT?
EKT is the Engineering Knowledge Test, specifically for candidates applying for Ground Duty (Technical) branch.
16. What is the duration of the EKT?
EKT is of 45 minutes duration.
17. What is the syllabus for EKT?
The syllabus includes fundamental engineering subjects such as Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical & Electronics.
18. Can a final-year student apply for AFCAT?
Yes, final-year students can apply, provided they meet eligibility at the time of the SSB interview.
19. What is the application fee for AFCAT?
The application fee is usually Rs. 250.
20. How can I apply for AFCAT?
You can apply online through the official Indian Air Force AFCAT portal.
21. Is there a physical fitness requirement for AFCAT?
Yes, candidates must meet the physical and medical standards prescribed by the Indian Air Force.
22. What is the height requirement for the Flying Branch?
The minimum height requirement is 162.5 cm.
23. What is AFSB?
AFSB stands for Air Force Selection Board, which conducts the interview and personality tests for shortlisted AFCAT candidates.
24. How many AFSB centers are there?
There are AFSB centers in Dehradun, Mysore, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, and Guwahati.
25. What happens after clearing the AFCAT written exam?
Candidates are called for the AFSB interview, which includes multiple stages of testing.
26. What is the duration of AFSB testing?
The AFSB process usually lasts 5 days.
27. Is AFCAT tough to crack?
With consistent preparation, AFCAT is considered moderately competitive.
28. Is coaching necessary for AFCAT?
Not mandatory, but structured coaching can help with preparation.
29. What are the cut-off marks for AFCAT?
Cut-offs vary by session, but typically range between 140 to 160 out of 300.
30. Is there any bond after selection through AFCAT?
Yes, selected candidates are required to serve a minimum term, failing which a financial bond applies.
31. What is the training period after selection?
Training usually lasts around 1 year at Air Force Training Establishments.
32. Can I choose my posting location?
Postings are determined by service requirements.
33. Is there any age relaxation for reserved categories?
No age relaxation is given in AFCAT.
34. Can commerce or arts students apply for AFCAT?
Yes, they can apply for the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branch.
35. Is it mandatory to have NCC Air Wing C certificate?
Not mandatory, but NCC ‘C’ certificate holders may get direct SSB call.
36. What is the salary after selection through AFCAT?
During training, stipend is around ₹56,100. Post commissioning, pay varies by rank and allowances.
37. What kind of allowances do officers get?
Officers get flying pay, field area allowance, uniform allowance, etc., based on posting.
38. Can I attempt AFCAT multiple times?
Yes, there is no restriction on the number of attempts as long as age and eligibility are met.
39. Can I apply for multiple branches in the same application?
Yes, you can select multiple branches if eligible.
40. When is the notification for AFCAT usually released?
AFCAT notifications are usually released in December (for AFCAT 1) and June (for AFCAT 2).
The AFCAT 2026 offers a golden opportunity for aspiring candidates to join the prestigious Indian Air Force as Commissioned Officers. By understanding the eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and following a focused preparation strategy, candidates can enhance their chances of success in this competitive examination. Stay updated with the official notifications on the AFCAT website for the latest information and important dates. Good luck!
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