AFCAT2022

Air Force Common Admission Test

Air Force Common Admission Test

Mode of ExamOnline
Level of ExamNational Level

Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to release AFCAT (1) 2023notification in December 2021. The notification will be released for the courses commencing in January 2023. AFCAT (1) 2023exam is expected to be conducted in February 2022. AFCAT (2) 2023notification is expected to be released in June 2023for the courses commencing in July 2023. AFCAT (2) 2023exam is expected to be conducted in August 2022.

 

What is AFCAT Exam?

The Air Force Common Admission Test or AFCAT is conducted by the IAF to select Class-I Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duties (Technical and Non-Technical). The exam is held twice a year, in February and August/September, respectively.

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

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 Exam: Types of Commission

AFCAT exam is conducted for granting the following two types of commissions:

Permanent Commission (PC) for Men: Candidates joining as PC officers will serve till the age of superannuation in their respective branches as per their rank.

Short Service Commission (SSC) for Men & Women: 

  • The engagement period for Flying Branch (Men and Women) SSC Officers is 14 years from the date of Commissioning (Non-extendable)
  • The initial tenure for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) SSC Officers is for a period of ten years. An extension of four years may be granted subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability, and merit
  • Grant of Permanent Commission (PC) is considered during the last one year of service subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability, and merit

AFCAT 2023Exam Highlights

The highlights of the AFCAT 2023exam are given below.

Features Details

Exam name

AFCAT

Conducted by

Indian Air Force

Exam level

National

Exam frequency

Twice a year

Exam mode

Online

Vacancies

AFCAT II: To be notified

AFCAT I: To be notified

Exam syllabus

AFCAT: General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning, and Military Aptitude Test

EKT: Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical & Electronics

Exam pattern

AFCAT: The question paper of AFCAT comprises a total of 100 objective questions. The total marks allotted to the test are 300

EKT: The question paper of EKT comprises a total of 50 questions. The maximum marks allotted to the test are 150

Exam language

English

Exam fees

Rs 250 

Exam purpose

To select Group A Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches

Contact details

020-25503105 or 020-25503106

Official email ID

afcat.cdac.in

Also Read: AFCAT Recruitment

AFCAT 2023Notification

AFCAT notification is released to select eligible candidates for IAF's Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches. The notification is released online in PDF form and comprises details such as exam dates, process to fill the application form, the number of vacancies, eligibility criteria, details about the admit card, selection process, etc.

AFCAT 1 & 2 Dates 2022

AFCAT 1 & 2 dates 2022 are provided in the table below.

AFCAT (1) 2023Events AFCAT  (1) 2023Dates Salient Features

Notification

December 2021

The notification will be released online in PDF form 

Application form 

December 2021 to January 2022

The application form and fee can be paid online

Online test

February 2022

The exam will be conducted online for all the registered candidates across various cities in multiple sessions

Admit card

February 2022

The admit card will be available online on the official website. Candidates can download their admit cards till the day of the exam

Result 

March 2022

AFCAT result will be announced online. Candidates can check their results from the official website by logging with the required credentials

 

AFCAT (2) 2023Events AFCAT (2) 2023Dates  Salient Features

Notification

June 2022

AFCAT notification will be released in PDF form

Application form

June 2022

The application form will be made available in online mode

Exam date

August 2022

The exam will be conducted across various cities spread throughout the country

Admit Card

August 2022

The admit card will be released online for all the registered candidates

Result 

September 2022

The result will be announced online on the official website

AFCAT 2023Vacancies

AFCAT (I) & (II) 2023vacancies will be announced along with the notification. The vacancies are announced separately for different branches. Till the time AFCAT 2023vacancies are announced, candidates can check below the vacancy break-up of last year:

AFCAT (I) 2021 Vacancies

A total of 241 vacancies were announced for AFCAT (I) 2021 exam. The vacancy break-up is given below.

Branches

Vacancies 

Flying Branch

SSC-69

Ground Duty (Technical)

AE (L): PC-27, SSC-40

AE (M): PC-12, SSC-17

Ground Duty (Non -Technical)

Admin: PC-12, SSC-21
Accts: PC- 6, SSC-12
Logistics: PC-9, SSC-16

AFCAT (II) 2021 Vacancies

A total of 334 vacancies were announced for AFCAT (II) 2021 exam. The branch-wise vacancy break-up of the AFCAT (II) exam is given below.

Branches

Vacancies 

Flying Branch

SSC-96

Ground Duty (Technical)

AE (L): PC-20, SSC-78
AE (M): PC-08, SSC-31

Ground Duty (Non -Technical)

Admin: PC -10, SSC-42
Edn: PC-04, SSC-17

NCC Special Entry Flying Branch

10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC

Meteorology Entry

Met: PC-06, SSC-22 

AFCAT Selection Process 

The complete selection process of AFCAT is explained below:

Filling the application form

AFCAT application form is released online on the official website. The application fee is Rs 250 for all categories and can be paid online. The window to edit the application form is made available after completion of the registration process. Candidates are allowed to edit details such as candidate's name, father's name, mother's name, gender, photo, signature, thumb image, address, and course preferences. Candidates are not required to pay any fees for editing the application form.

Appearing in the Online test

All registered candidates are required to appear for the online test. The test comprises questions from General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning, and Military Aptitude Test. The EKT, which is conducted for the Technical branch candidates, comprises questions from Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical & Electronics. The maximum marks allotted to AFCAT are 300. The test paper of EKT carries a total of 150 marks.

Declaration of result 

AFCAT result is announced online on the official website. Candidates need to login into their account by entering email ID, password, and captcha code. The result displays the qualifying status, section-wise marks, overall marks, and cutoff marks. On the basis of the AFCAT result, candidates are called for AFSB Interview. AFCAT cut off is released along with the result and is calculated out of 300 marks. While the cutoff for EKT exam is calculated out of 150. Candidates need to secure equal to or more than the cutoff marks to be selected for AFSB Interview.

AFSB Interview

Candidates declared successful in the AFCAT exam are called for AFSB Interview. The interview comprises three stages:

Stage I: In the first stage of AFSB Interview, candidates need to appear for Officer Intelligence Rating Test, Picture Perception Test, and Discussion Test.

Stage II: In the second stage of AFSB Interview, candidates need to appear for the Psychological Test, Group Tests, and Interview.

For Flying Branch: Candidates applying for the flying branch are required to appear in the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).

Final Merit List: The final merit list is prepared based on the performance in the online exam and AFSB Interview. All candidates are placed in the order of merit on the basis of total marks secured in the online test and AFSB Interview. 

Refer to the infographic below for the AFCAT selection process.

AFCAT_Selection_Process

 

AFCAT Exam Centres 2022

AFCAT 2023exam will be conducted across more than 100 cities in the country. Candidates can choose AFCAT exam centres 2022 while filling the application form. The exam centres are allotted to candidates as per their choices. 

AFCAT Exam Day Guidelines 

The exam day guidelines that candidates need to follow while appearing for the exam are given below:

Items permitted inside the exam centre

The following items are permitted inside the exam centre:

  • Admit card
  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN card/ Passport/ Driving Licence/ Voter Identity Card/College Identity Card
  • Two passport-size colour photographs
  • Ballpoint pen (Blue or black)

Items not permitted inside the exam centre

Candidates are not allowed to carry the following items:

  • Textual material
  • Calculators
  • Docupen
  • Slide rulers, log tables, electronic watches
  • Mobile phones
  • Bluetooth and pager

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2023

To be eligible for the AFCAT exam 2023, candidates need to fulfil the criteria prescribed by IAF in terms of nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and physical standards. AFCAT eligibility criteria is given below:

Nationality: Candidates must be a citizen of India

Age limit: The age limits prescribed for the exam are different for different branches. The table below contains the age limit for different branches.

Branches Age Limit (As on January 1, 2023 for AFCAT 1 and July 1, 2023 for AFCAT 2)

Flying Branch

Candidates should be between 20 and 24 years. The upper age limit for candidates having a Commercial Pilot License is relaxed up to 26 years

Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch

The age of candidates should be between 20 and 26 years

Marital Status

  • Candidates below 25 years of age must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course
  • Widows/Widowers and divorcees below 25 years are also not eligible
  • Married candidates above 25 years are eligible to apply, but during their training period, they are neither provided married accommodation nor can they live with family

Educational Qualification: The educational qualification prescribed for different branches is given below.

Branch Educational qualification

Flying Branch

Candidates must have passed Class 12 with 60 per cent in Maths and Physics. They must also hold a graduation degree in any discipline/BE/BTech/cleared section A and B exam of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised University with 60 per cent

Ground Duty Technical Branch

Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics)

Passed Class 12 with 60 per cent each in Physics and Mathematics and four years degree in Engineering/Technology

Or,

Cleared Sections A and B of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate membership examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies with 60 per cent in disciplines specified by the examination authority

Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical)

Candidates must have passed Class 12 with 60 per cent in Physics and Mathematics and degree/integrated post-graduation in Engineering/Technology

Or,

Cleared sections A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India by actual studies with minimum 60 per cent or equivalent in certain disciplines specified by IAF

Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches

Administration

Graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 60 per cent

Or,

Cleared section A&B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised university with 60 per cent

Education

Completed MBA/MCA or MA/MSc in English/Physics/Mathematics/Chemistry/ Statistics/ International relations/ International Studies/ Defence Studies/ Psychology/ Computer Science/ IT/ Management/ Mass Communication/ Journalism/ Public Relation with 50 per cent and 60 per cent in graduation

Physical and Medical Standards

Candidates should be medically and physically fit to be eligible to carry out their duties and responsibilities properly.

 

AFCAT Syllabus

The section-wise AFCAT syllabus is given below.

Subjects Topics

English

Comprehension, Error Detection, Antonyms and Testing of Vocabulary, Idioms and Phrases, Synonyms

General Knowledge

History, Civics, Geography, Politics, Art, Culture, Sports, Defence, Basic Science, Environment, Current Affairs

Reasoning and Military Aptitude

Spatial Ability, Verbal Ability, Simple Interest Time and Distance, Ratio and Proportion, etc.

Numerical Ability

Time and Work, Decimal Fraction, Profit and Loss, Percentage, etc.

AFCAT Cutoff 

Candidates in the table below can check the AFCAT cutoff marks for the last three years.

Exam Session AFCAT Cutoff EKT Cutoff

AFCAT 2, 2021

157

18

AFCAT 1, 2021

165

30

AFCAT 2, 2020

153

40

AFCAT 1, 2020

155

40

AFCAT 2, 2019

142

50

AFCAT 1, 2019

133

50

AFCAT Preparation Tips

As the competition in the AFCAT exam is high, candidates should start their preparations early. Candidates must have a proper strategy to ace the exam. Candidates must refer to the previous years' question papers and solve mock tests. Besides, they should check the syllabus and exam pattern to know more about the exam structure and topics.

Application Start Date :
Application End Date :
Exam Date :
Result Date :
Conducted By :

Official Website : https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/