The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
AFCAT(The Air Force Common Admission Test) is conducted by the Indian Air Force for all graduates and Undergraduates candidates in their careers on various requirement posts. The exam is held twice a year in February and August/September, respectively, to select Class-I Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duties (Technical and Non-Technical).
Candidates are selected based on their performance in the online exam and Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview. Candidates opting for Ground Duty (Technical) branches are required to appear in both AFCAT and Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).
AFCAT Career – AS PER BRANCHES
As a Graduate/ Engineer, you can enter the Flying branch through the Air Force Academy. The following are the three modes of entry for Graduates/ Engineers to join the Flying branch:
CDSE (COMBINED DEFENSE SERVICES EXAMINATION) (FOR MEN ONLY)
- Men can enter through this mode of entry on the basis of online conduct exam and Interview organized by getting a Permanent Commission.
- Eligibility criteria:
- Age – 20 to 24 years (at the time of commencement of course)
- Nationality – Indian
- Marital Status – Single
- Gender – Men.
- Educational Qualifications
- CDSE is conducted by Union Public Commission (UPSC)
- Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level)/BE/B Tech (Four Year Course).
- Final Year/semester students are also eligible to apply, provided they produce a Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
- No Percentage Bar for CDSE entry.
- CDSE is conducted by Union Public Commission (UPSC)
- Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements are released by UPSC in the months of November and August.
For more details visit www.upsc.gov.in
NCC SPECIAL ENTRY AFCAT CAREER (FOR MEN AND WOMEN)
(Candidates can apply online through NCC Special Entry )
- As an Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ Certificate holder of the National Cadet Corps, you can apply to the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force. Men & women can join the Air Force through this mode of entry on the based clear some test physical test. Permanent Commission offered for men and Short Service Commission for men and women.
- Eligibility criteria:
Age –20 to 24 years (at the time of commencement of course). The upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years(at the time of commencement of course).- Nationality – Indian
- Marital Status – Single
- Gender – Men & women.
- Educational Qualifications
- Minimum 50% marks in each in Maths & Physics at 10 + 2 level only PCM group candidate apply.
- Graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
- BE/B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent
- Cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
- Final Year/semester students are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any present backlogs at the time of AFSB Testing and produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
- NCC Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ certificate and validity of the certificate would be two years before the date of advertisement.
- Advertisement Schedule: Advertisement for NCC Special Entry is released by the IAF in the months of June and December.
AFCAT CAREER ENTRY (SSC FOR MEN AND WOMEN)
- You can apply through AFCAT for Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying Branch.
- Short Service Commission in Flying branch is for 14 years with no further extension.
- Eligibility criteria:
- Age – 20 to 24 years (at the time of commencement of course). The upper age limit for Candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years(at the time of commencement of course).
- Nationality – Indian
- Marital Status – Single
- Gender – Men and Women.
- Educational Qualifications
- Minimum of 50% marks each in Maths & Physics at 10+2 level.
- Graduates (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised University who have attained minimum 60% marks or equivalent OR BE/B Tech (Four Year Course) from a recognised university with minimum 60% marks or equivalent.
- Cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
- Final Year students are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any backlog at the time of AFSB Testing and produce Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
- Advertisement Schedule: Advertisements for AFCAT are released by the IAF in the months of June and December.
SCHEME OF SYLLABUS
| Exam Name | AFCAT |
| Marking Scheme | +3 Every Correct Answer, & -1 Every Deducted in Incorrect Answer |
| No. of Question | 100 |
| AIR FORCE COMMON ADMISSION TEST (AFCAT) | English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test. |
| Time Duration | 2 Hours |
| EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) | 50 Question |
| Time Duration | 40 min |
| Syllabus Description PDF | afcatsektsyllabus.pdf |
| Official Website | https://afcat.cdac.in/ |
| Mock Test Link | https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/AFCAT_MockExam/index.html |
AFCAT CAREER – AS PER QUALIFICATION
(10 + 2)
The valiant boys could be part of the Indian Air Force family by applying for NDA( National Defence Academy)
Candidates, short-listed for Indian Air Force after the initial selection procedure, go through a rigorous three-year training regimen at the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, followed by specialized training at one of the training establishments. Thereafter, they are Commissioned as Permanent Commission Officers and posted as officers at any of the Air Force Stations.
To be in the NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY
You can join NDA by taking the exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This exam is conducted twice a year in all major cities throughout India.
- ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Age – 161/2 to 191/2 years (at the time of commencement of course)
- Nationality – Indian
- Gender – Men only
- Educational Qualifications – 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics. Appearing final year students can also eligible to apply.
- ADVERTISEMENT SCHEDULE
- January and June. (Advertisement is released by UPSC. Visit www.upsc.gov.in)
- January and June. (Advertisement is released by UPSC. Visit www.upsc.gov.in)
- Branches
- The entry through NDA is open for the Flying branch, Ground duty (tech), and Ground duty(non-tech). All cadets of Flying branch and Ground duty (tech) would be offered B Tech in NDA and cadets of Ground Duty (Non-tech) would be offered B Sc degree.
AFCAT Solved Paper last Year:
| Sr.No | Question Paper |
| 1. | Click here.pdf |
| 2. | Click here.pdf |
| 3. | Click here.pdf |
| 4. | Click here.pdf |
| 5. | Click here.pdf |
| 6. | Click here.pdf |
| 7. | Click here.pdf |
| 8. | Click here.pdf |
| 9. | Click here.pdf |
| 10. | Click here.pdf |
AFCAT Salary Structure
The pay given to the candidates on commissioning as per 7th CPC is given below under AFCAT.
| Rank | Pay as per Defense Matrix | Level | MSP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Officer | Rs 56,100 – 1,77,500 | 10 | Rs 15,500 |
Flight cadets will receive a fixed stipend of Rs 56,100 per month during one year of training.
AFCAT Salary: Annual Package
The salary is different for different branches. The annual salary package given to different branches is given below:
| Branch | Annual package |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | Rs 8-10 lakh |
| Ground Duty (Tech) | Rs 7-9 lakh |
| Ground Duty (Non-Tech) | Rs 7-9 lakh |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S)
Query 1. What is the advertisement schedule for AFCAT? When is the AFCAT conducted?
Reply: AFCAT is conducted twice a year (in the month of February and August). The advertisement for the same is published in the months of December and June respectively.
Query 2. What is the scheme and syllabus for the AFCAT exam?
Reply: AFCAT is an objective test. The exam is for two hours and consists of 100 questions. The scheme of the syllabus contains General Awareness, English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude. For further details on the Exam schedule, Marking scheme, Scheme and syllabus of AFCAT please refer to para 8 (a) and (b) of the notification available on the website https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in or https://afcat.cdac.in
Query 3. Where can I register for the AFCAT online?
Reply: You have to register for AFCAT on the website https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in or https://afcat.cdac.in Please note that registration is being done through these two websites only. Do not register for AFCAT on any other website.
Query 4. I have completed my Class XII exam. Am I eligible for an AFCAT career?
Reply: No. The minimum qualification required for AFCAT is graduation/ post-graduation (Masters) (depending on the branch you are applying for). There is also a minimum requirement for marks in graduation / post-graduation. For full details, you are requested to go through the notification available on the website https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in or
https://afcat.cdac.in.
Query 5.What are the physical standards, medical standards, and selection procedure for AFCAT career 01/2018
Reply: Physical Standards, Medical Standards and Selection Procedure for AFCAT 01/2018 are spelled out clearly in the notification available on the website https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in or https://afcat.cdac.in
Query 6. Whether women candidates are eligible to become officers through AFCAT?
Reply: Yes, women candidates are eligible to become officers through AFCAT. However, they are eligible only for Short Service Commission, and not for Permanent Commission.
Query 7. I have a degree from a foreign university. Am I eligible?
Reply: For being eligible for AFCAT, the degree must be recognized by UGC / AICTE / Ministry of HRD / DEC.
Query 8. My university has awarded CGPA. How do I fill up the percentage column?
Reply: In case of candidates being awarded grades/CGPA instead of marks, the conversion of Grades/CGPA to the percentage of marks would be based on the procedure certified by the university/ institution from where they have obtained the Bachelor’s degree. In case the university/ institution does not have any scheme for converting CGPA then follow para 5 (c) of the notification.