What is AFCAT Exam: The Ultimate Guide

AFCAT stands for Air Force Common Admission Test and is also called the Indian Air Force Exam.

What is AFCAT Exam?

The AFCAT Exam is a national-level competitive exam conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to select officers for all its branches, except for the medical and dental branches. The AFCAT is conducted twice yearly, once in February, and the other in August.

The Indian Airforce largely recruits its officers under four branches via AFCAT entry

1. The Flying Branch
2. The Technical Branch
3. The Ground Duty Branch.
4. Weapon Systems (*New Branch)

The Flying Branch consists of Fighters, Transports, and Helicopters. The Technical Branch deals with the Mechanical and Electronic aspects, while the Ground Duty Branch comprises Administration, Accounts, Logistics, Education, and Meteorology.

Weapon Systems is the new branch of the Indian Airforce. This branch deals with all the weapons available to the Indian Airforce whether at ground level or the in the Air.

 Aspirants interested in appearing for the AFCAT Exam need to keep an eye on the official Indian Air Force website or Indian Army Brat website for notifications and updates regarding Defence exam dates, eligibility criteria, application processes, and other important details.

Branches you can join After AFCAT Exam

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to select candidates for various branches. Here are the options available through AFCAT:

1. Flying Branch:
   • Men and women can apply for the Flying Branch.
   • For men, there is an option for both Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission.
   • For women, there is only a Short Service Commission available.
2. Technical Branch:
   • Men and women can apply for the Technical Branch.
   • Technical Branch includes Aeronautical Engineer (Electrical) and Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical).
   • For men, both Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission are available.
   • For women, only the Short Service Commission is available.
3. Ground Duty Branches:
   • Ground Duty Branches include Administration, Logistics, and Accounts.
   • Men and women can apply for Ground Duty Branches.
   • For men, there is an option for both Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission.
   • For women, there is only a Short Service Commission available.

The eligibility criteria and educational qualifications may vary for each branch, and candidates need to fulfill specific requirements to be eligible for the branch they are applying for. Short Service Commission implies a limited period of service, while Permanent Commission implies a long-term commitment to the Indian Air Force.

Candidates who clear the written AFCAT exam and subsequently pass the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview process have the opportunity to join the Air Force Academy and undergo training for their respective branches. Successful candidates become officers in the Indian Air Force upon completion of their training.

Eligibility For AFCAT

We all should know the eligibility criteria for any exam we are applying for. Here we will be sharing all the detailed Eligibility criteria for both Male and Female Candidates.

Age:

• You should be an Indian citizen, aged 20-24 for the Flying Branch (relaxable for certain cases)
• 20-26 for Ground Duty branches. 
• Candidates must be unmarried before starting of the course

Educational Qualifications:

FLYING BRANCH

Candidates should have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths Physics at 10+2 level

AND

Graduation with minimum three years degree course in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent

OR

BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from are recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

OR

Candidates who have cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from are recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent

Ground Duty Branch–

• Candidates should have mandatorily passed Passed 10+2
• Graduate Degree (Min three year degree course) in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent or cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum 60% marks or equivalent.

Ground Duty (Technical): Minimum 50% marks in Physics and Maths in 10+2, along with a 4-year engineering/technology degree or Sections A and B cleared.

NCC Special Entry: Candidates with a valid NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate can apply for the Flying Branch.

Selection Process for AFCAT Exam

For those who are eligible for AFCAT Entry, it’s important to understand how the AFCAT selection Process works. The process has three parts, and you have to pass each one to go to the next.

Here’s how it goes:

1. Online AFCAT Exam: This is the first step. You’ll have to answer 100 questions including about general awareness, verbal ability, numerical ability, military reasoning, and Miscellaneous
2. AFSB Interview: In this stage, you’ll go through more tests and have an interview with the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB).
3. Medicals: The final step is a check-up to make sure you’re healthy enough to meet the standards.

AFCAT Exam

AFCAT Exam was started in the year 2011. It was based on an OMR paper Exam but in 2019, It went online. Many Aspirants gave exams through online mode There are different shifts and batches for the exam. The whole exam is done in 3-day slots.

After clearing the AFCAT Exam, the candidates are shortlisted for the SSB Interview at the AFSB Centre, where they check if you’re good at talking, and leading, and if you’d be a good fit to become an officer in the Indian Air Force!

Apply Online for AFCAT Exam

Now you have understood the eligibility and requirements for the AFCAT exam.

Now you can apply online to take the AFCAT Exam. If you pass, you might get a chance to get in the Indian Air Force!

Go to our AFCAT Apply Online page to learn about:Things that might cause your AFCAT application to be rejected (we give tips to avoid mistakes)

Step 1: Registration for AFCAT Exam

Check out the direct link given below as well:

1. Visit the official website of AFCAT CDAC.
2. Click on the ‘Apply Now’ link & then the ‘Candidate’s Login’ link.
3. Register as a new user by clicking on ‘New Candidate’.
4. Enter personal details along with a valid email ID.
5. Now, the login credentials will be sent via mail to this email ID.

Step 2: Filling the AFCAT Application Form

1. Log in with your registered email ID and password.
2. Now, select the type of entry, AFCAT, NCC Special Entry for Flying Branch.
3. Read the instructions carefully and click on the proceed button.
4. Click on ‘Application Form Filling’ & provide the personal & communication details.
5. Providing the essential information & certificates regarding educational qualification.

Step 3:  Application Fee Payment

1. Now, fill in other personal details asked in the form.
2. In the next step, upload your scanned images of the Passport size photograph, and signature in the specified format.
3. Now, proceed to the application fee payment option.
4. In the next step, you have to pay the application fee of INR 250 via debit card/credit card or net banking. (fee not to be paid for NCC Special Entry).
5. Now, ‘PREVIEW’ your application carefully before clicking on the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
6. You are further advised to take a printout of the filled application form for future use

Documents Required for AFCAT Registration

The Important documents required for Afcat Registration process is shared below, Before filling the online form you must have these doucments

• Aadhaar Card
• Credit/ Debit cards
• Marksheets of class 12 and graduation/diploma/Integrated Post Graduation
• Scanned images of photograph, signature, and left thumb impression