AFCAT

"Air Force Common Admission Test”

AFCAT (The Air Force Common Admission Test )

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted by the Indian Air Force, the fourth largest air force in the world. The exam is held twice a year in February and August, respectively, to select Class-I Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duties (Technical and Non-Technical).

AFCAT is a gateway for candidates, both male and female, to join the Indian Air Force as officers for both Short Service Commission in Flying Branch and Permanent Commission/Short Service Commission in Ground Duties for both Technical and Non-Technical roles.

When selected for the training process through AFCAT, candidates have to undergo a 74 weeks training session if selected for Flying and Ground Duties. In case of Ground Duties for Non-Technical role, the training is of 52 weeks held at Air Force Training Establishments.

In 2018, AFCAT was conducted online for the first time since the exam was introduced. The online exam was followed by Air Force Selection Board Interview for the candidates who have cleared the online test.

Selection Criteria

Education Qualification:-

  • Flying Branch: minimum of 60% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level.
  • Graduation with a minimum of 3 years degree in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks.

AFCAT Syllabus

As per the notification, the standard of Numerical Ability Questions will be of Matriculation level. Whereas, the questions in other subjects will be of graduation level (Indian University). A brief of AFCAT syllabus is listed below:

  • English – Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion/ Filling in of correct word, Synonyms, Antonyms and Testing of Vocabulary, Idioms, and Phrases.
  • General Awareness – History, Geography, Civics, Politics, Current Affairs, Environment, Basic Science, Defence, Art, Culture, Sports, etc.
  • Numerical Ability – Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion and Simple Interest, Time & Distance (Trains/Boats & Streams).
  • Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test – Verbal Skills and Spatial Ability.

FSB Selection Process:-

  • IAF will prepare a list of candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the Online AFCAT as fixed by the IAF in their discretion.
  • Candidates who are declared successful in the Online AFCAT will be called at one of the Air Force Selection Boards.
  • Candidates who have applied for NCC Special Entry and Meteorology Branch will be directly called for AFSB testing at one of the AFSB centers.
  • AFSB centres are at Dehradun (1 AFSB), Mysuru (2 AFSB), Gandhinagar (3 AFSB) and Varanasi (4 AFSB).
  • Candidates who opt for flying branch can only opt for Dehradun, Mysore and Varanasi.
  • Candidates are required to choose AFSB date and venue by themselves on the website https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in(OR) https://afcat.cdac.in in order to generate call- up letter for AFSB interview.

Final Merit List:-

  • Candidates should secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in written examination and AFSB test as fixed by the IAF.
  • The qualifiers names will be placed in the order of merit on the basis of the total marks secured by them in the written examination and in the AFSB tests.
  • The form and manner of communication of the result of the examination to individual candidates will be decided by the IAF in their discretion.
  • 10% of the vacancies are reserved for NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' certificate holders in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-technical) Branches.
  • Candidates who opt for flying branch can only opt for Dehradun, Mysore and Varanasi.
  • Allotment of PC/ SSC in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-technical) Branches would be based on a number of vacancies, performance in the selection process and the choice given by the candidates.