AFCAT- Airforce Common Admission Test is conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to select Class-I Gazetted Officers in Flying branch and Ground Duties (Technical and Non-Technical). Here, we have detailed information about the AFCAT Exam. Target Defence Academy, Lucknow provides the best guidance for the AFCAT Exam. All the eligible male and female candidates can apply for the AFCAT Exam.
All About AFCAT Exam

Overview:
Dear candidates, the AFCAT Exam is conducted in online mode twice a year to recruit young officers in the Indian Armed Forces for Technical and Non-Technical duties. Candidates looking career in the Indian Armed Forces after graduation then it is a golden opportunity to set their career in the Indian Armed Forces.
Exam Name | AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) |
Conducted By | Indian Air Force |
Frequency | Twice in a Year (February and August) |
Exam Mode | Online |
Exam Phases | Written Test & AFSB Interview Medical Exam |
Questions Type | Objective Type Questions |
Exam Duration | 02:00 Hours |
Paper Language | Only in English |
Official Websites | https://afcat.cdac.in OR https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in |
Important Links for the AFCAT Exam
Notification | Eligibility |
Syllabus | Admit Card |
Mock Test | Study Material |
Result | AFSB Interview |
Previous Year Question Paper | Answer Key |
Who can apply for the AFCAT Exam?
Know who can apply for the AFCAT Exam conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Here we have detailed eligibility criteria like Age Limit, Educational Qualifications, Gender, and Marital Status.
Eligibility Criteria:
Flying Branch
Age Limit: Candidates who want to apply for the flying branch should be between 20 to 24 years. The upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable for up to 26 years.
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch
Age Limit: The age of the candidates who want to apply for ground duty should be between 20 to 26 years.
Educational Qualification:
Flying Branch: The Candidate must have a graduation degree from a recognized University with at least 60% marks.
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical)Branch: The candidate must have a graduation degree in Engineering from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks.
Gender: Both male and female candidates are eligible for the AFCAT Exam. Female candidates can apply only for the Short Service Commission, not the Permanent Commission.
Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible for the AFCAT Exam; issueless widows who have not remarried and issueless divorcees who have not remarried are eligible.
Selection Process
AFCAT Written Exam (Stage 1): There is only one online test that contains 100 questions each of 3 marks and subjects include General Awareness, English, Maths and Reasoning, and the Military Aptitude Test. There is a one-third negative marking too.
AFCAT AFSB Interview (Stage 2):
- After qualifying the written exam, candidates undergo a five-day Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview.
- This is a personality and intelligence assessment that includes tasks like group discussions, individual tasks, psychological tests, and physical fitness tests.
- The interview also evaluates leadership, communication skills, teamwork, and decision-making abilities.
- Only those who perform well across all these stages are recommended for further medical and training procedures.
Marking Scheme:
The number of questions in each paper may vary. Here, we have given an approximate idea on the basis of the AFCAT Previous Year Paper. Candidates should check the notification for details.
- General Awareness: 60 marks
- English: 90 marks
- Numerical Ability: 45 marks
- Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test: 105 marks
- Total Written Exam Marks: 100 questions of 300 marks
Note: Candidates can also appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT), which is mandatory for those applying for the Ground Duty (Technical) branch. The EKT is a 45-minute test consisting of 50 questions.
Summary:
- Exam Mode: Online
- Age Limit: 20–24 years for Flying Branch & 20-26 years for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch
- Exam Frequency: Twice in a Year (February and August)
- Training Duration: For the Flying and Technical Branch 74 Weeks, Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch 54 Weeks, Ground Duty (Technical) Branch 62 Weeks.
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