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AFCAT Full Form: AFCAT, which stands for Air Force Common Admission Test, is a highly esteemed examination conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) every year. The main purpose of the exam is to select Class 1 officers in the Air Force. Both male and female applicants are eligible to apply and appear for the exam. Also, the exam is held for both Flying and Ground Duty branches.
The AFCAT eligibility criteria are simple, and one needs to complete a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Also, candidates from both technical and non-technical branches are eligible to apply. Post completion of the exam, the candidates can choose a short service commission in the Flying branch. They can also go for permanent or short service in the Ground Duty staff. Read on to know the AFCAT full form, age limit, exam pattern and career growth.
What is the AFCAT Exam?
The Indian Air Force conducts the exam to fill Group A Gazetted vacancies. The examination is held for the Flying branch and Ground Duty Staff (Technical and Non Technical). The AFCAT exam is held twice a year online. Typically, the board conducts the exam in February and August.
Earlier, the entrance exam for both Flying and Ground Duty was held separately. However, IAF merged the examination process into one single test from 2011 onwards. Also, both male and female candidates can apply and appear for the IAF AFCAT examination.
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria
- AFCAT Educational Qualification
The candidates must complete class 10+2 with at least 50% marks in both Mathematics and Physics. They must also have completed either of the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree in any subject with at least 60% marks.
- BE/B.Tech degree with 60% marks from a recognised university.
- Completed Sections A and B of the Associate Membership exam of the Institution of Engineers (India) or the Aeronautical Society of India with at least 60% marks.
Also Check – List of Full Form
- AFCAT Age Limit
The minimum AFCAT age limit is 20 years for aspirants. However, the upper age limit varies. Although, the maximum age limit is 24 years for normal candidates. But those who have a valid and current DGCA (India) Commercial Pilot License are given an extension of 2 years.
| AFCAT Age Limit | ||
| Service Type | Minimum Age Limit | Maximum Age Limit |
| Flying Branch | 20 years | 24 years |
| Ground Staff | 20 years | 24 years |
AFCAT Exam Pattern
The AFCAT examination is conducted online for both technical and non technical branches. Candidates can get an overview of the exam pattern from the section below:
Online Written Exam Pattern
- The AFCAT online test has four sections.
- There will be 100 questions in the exam that account for 300 marks.
- The questions in the general test and EKT will be multiple-choice.
- The question paper is available only in English.
AFCAT General Test Exam Pattern
| Subject | Exam Duration | No of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| General Awareness | 02 hours | 100 | 300 |
| Verbal Ability in English | |||
| Numerical Ability | |||
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test |
AFCAT EKT Exam Pattern
| Subject | Time | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| Mechanical | 45 minutes | 50 | 150 |
| Computer Science | |||
| Electrical & Electronics |
AFSB Testing – Stage I
| Stage | Components |
| Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests |
| Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT) | Picture analysis followed by group discussion |
| Day | Conducted on the first day of AFSB |
AFSB Testing – Stage II
| Stage | Components |
| Psychological Tests | Conducted on Day 1 (Evening) – to assess mental and emotional suitability |
| Group Testing | Conducted over the next five days – includes group discussions, planning, and outdoor tasks |
| Personal Interview | One-on-one session to assess personality, motivation, and leadership potential |
| Document Verification | Verification of academic and personal documents |
| For Flying Branch | Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test for recommended candidates |
AFCAT Syllabus
The IAF releases the AFCAT syllabus online for the written examination. Candidates have to prepare topics as prescribed by the competent authorities. The following table consists of the AFCAT subject wise topics for the examination.
| Section | AFCAT Topics Covered |
| General Awareness | History, Geography, Sports, Culture, Politics, Current Affairs, Environment, Defence, Art & Culture, Science & Technology |
| Verbal Ability in English | Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion, Synonyms, Antonyms, Vocabulary, Idioms & Phrases |
| Numerical Ability | Decimal & Fraction, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Average, Speed, Distance & Time |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Ability, Rotated Blocks, Hidden Figures, Pattern Completion, Embedded Figures |
AFCAT Selection Process
The AFCAT selection process has four rounds in total, and candidates have to complete each one of them. The first is the written examination in which the IAF assesses candidates on General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude.
Post this, the AFSB calls the candidates for the next three rounds: psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews. Candidates who apply for technical branches have to complete the eKT, also known as the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).
- AFCAT Exam
- SSB Interview/Personality Test
- Clinical Examination
- AFCAT Merit List
AFCAT Job Profile
The candidates join the IAF as commissioned officers in either of the branches after completing the exam. Know about the AFCAT job profile in the section below:
- Flying aircraft and conducting aerial missions
- Managing aircraft maintenance and engineering tasks
- Overlooking logistics and administration
- Handling air traffic control
- Planning and executing defense strategies
- Personnel training and welfare
- Supervising intelligence and cybersecurity operations
AFCAT Salary
The candidates qualifying for the AFCAT exam will be eligible to get an attractive salary and perks. The trainees receive a monthly stipend of Rs 52,600 during the one-year training period. However, after completing the training duration, officers get the AFCAT salary as per Level 10 of the 7th pay commission. The starting salary for the selected candidates is Rs 56,100 per month, along with additional allowances.
Difference between AFCAT and NDA full form
AFCAT stands for Air Force Common Admission Test. It is conducted by the Indian Air Force to recruit graduates into the Flying Branch and Ground Duty in both Technical and Non-Technical branches. Whereas, NDA full form is National Defence Academy. This exam is conducted by the UPSC for candidates who qualify for the Class 12 exam.
Selected candidates are inducted into the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The primary difference between the two is that AFCAT is conducted for graduates. Whereas, NDA allows entry right after school. NDA cadets undergo three years of joint training.
Full Form of AFCAT FAQs
What is the AFCAT age limit?
As per the official brochure, the minimum age limit is 20 years, but the upper limit is 24 years for both flying and ground duty staff.
What is the AFCAT salary?
The selected AFCAT officers get a salary of Rs 56,100 per month after training. This is also inclusive of various allowances like flying pay, technical pay, housing, and medical facilities.
Is AFCAT harder than NDA?
AFCAT is considered less tough than NDA in terms of competition and syllabus. But it targets graduates, whereas NDA is for 12th-pass students aiming to join the armed forces early.
Can a 12th pass applicant apply for AFCAT?
No, AFCAT requires candidates to have a graduate degree or be in the final year of their Bachelor’s studies.
Which degree is best for AFCAT?
A BE/B.Tech degree is ideal for AFCAT, especially for technical or flying branches. However, any graduate with 60% marks from a recognised university can apply for non-technical roles.
