AFCAT2022

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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