AFCAT or Air Force Common Admission Test, is a national-level entrance examination conducted by C-DAC under Indian Air Force to select candidates for multiple posts in the Air Force. The posts for which the AFCAT exam is conducted are:
- Flying Branch
- Officers in Ground Duty – Technical Post
- Officers in Ground Duty -Non-Technical Post
The AFCAT Exam is conducted two times in an year, once in February and then in August.
Eligibility for the exam:
Age Limit:
- For Flying branch: Unmarried men and women of age 20-24 can apply for SSC in the Airforce. The Short Service Commission in the Flying branch is for 14 years with no further extension.
- For Technical Branch: Both men and women below 25 years of age should be unmarried. IAF provides Permanent Commission (for men) / Short Service Commission for men and women.
- For Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch: Men and women of age 20 to 26 Years is the Air force age limit for officers joining the Non-Technical (at the time of commencement of course).
Educational Qualifications:
Flying Branch:
The candidates applying for the Flying Branch vacancies must have one of the following educational qualifications.
- Candidates must have scored a minimum of 60% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level and Graduation with a minimum of three years degree course in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
- BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
- 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 of 60% marks or equivalent
Technical Ground Duty:
The Technical Ground Duty post is divided into two categories such as Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) and Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical). Therefore, the eligibility criteria of these two posts are mentioned separately to clear the confusion.
Educational Criteria For AFCAT Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics)
The candidates applying in the Flying Branch of AFCAT for the post of Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) must have one of the two criteria below:
- A minimum of 60% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and a minimum of four years degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/ Technology from recognized University.
- Cleared Sections A and B exam of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate membership exam of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in the following disciplines.
| Communication Engineering | Computer Engineering/Technology | Computer Engineering & Application |
| Computer Science and Engineering/Technology | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
| Electrical Engineering | Electronics Engineering/ Technology | Electronics Science and Engineering |
| Electronics | Electronics and Communication Engineering | Electronics and Computer Science |
| Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering | Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering (Microwave) | Electronics and Computer Engineering |
| Electronics Communication and Instrumentation Engineering | Electronics Instrument & Control | Electronics Instrument & Control Engineering |
| Instrumentation & Control Engineering | Instrument & Control Engineering | Information Technology |
Educational Criteria for AFCAT Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical)
One of the below-mentioned criteria must be fulfilled by the candidates applying for the post of Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) in the flying branch.
- A minimum of 60% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and a minimum of four years degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university.
- Cleared Sections A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India by actual studies with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in the following disciplines.
| Educational Criteria for AFCAT Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | Aeronautical Engineering | Aircraft Maintenance Engineering |
| Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering and Automation | Mechanical Engineering (Production) |
| Mechanical Engineering (Repair and Maintenance) | Mechatronics | Industrial Engineering |
Non-Technical Ground Duty:
The AFCAT eligibility criteria differ as per the departments, the same are listed below.
Administration & Logistics
Graduate Degree (min. three years degree course) in any discipline from a recognized university 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 of 60% marks or equivalent.
Accounts Branch:
B.Com Degree (Minimum three years degree course) from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
Education Branch :
MBA/ MCA or MA/ MSc degree in English/ Physics/ Mathematics/ Chemistry/ Statistics/ International relations/ International Studies/ Defence Studies/ Psychology/ Computer Science/ IT/ Management/ Mass Communication/ Journalism/ Public Relation with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate of all papers put together.
Meteorology Branch:
Post Graduate Degree in any Science stream/ Mathematics/ Statistics/Geography/Computer Applications/Environmental Science/ Applied Physics/ Oceanography/Meteorology/Agricultural Meteorology/Ecology & Environment /Geophysics/Environmental Biology with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate of all papers put together (Provided Maths and Physics were studied at Graduation Level with a minimum of 55% marks in each).
Exam Pattern and marking scheme
Exam Pattern:
The AFCAT written test is a computer based test and is divided into two parts-
- AFCAT exam – mandatory for all the candidates appearing for any branch (Flying branch, Ground Duty Technical or Ground Duty non-technical branch)
- EKT – Engineering Knowledge Test – This exam is only for candidates who have applied for the Ground Duty Technical branch.
The AFCAT Exam pattern is highlighted below-
| Stages | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
| AFCAT exam written test (compulsory) | 100 | 300 | 2 Hours |
| EKT( Engineering Knowledge Test) (Only for Technical) | 15 | 100 | 45 Minutes |
As per the new pattern of AFCAT exam – The question paper comprises of four subjects. 30 Questions from English, 25 Questions from General Knowledge, 20 questions were of Mathematics and 25 questions from Reasoning. However, there has been no change in the marking scheme of AFCAT 1 2022.
Marking Scheme:
It is important to know the marking scheme for candidates to devise an effective strategy and prepare accordingly for the exam.
- 3 marks awarded for each correct answer
- 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer
- No marks are deducted or awarded for any unattempted questions.
AFCAT Syllabus
The AFCAT syllabus is set by the Indian Air Force and is mentioned in detail in the notification. The syllabus more or less remains the same every year. The syllabus for AFCAT exam as prescribed by IAF is given below-
| Stages | AFCAT Written Exam | EKT |
| Subjects covered | General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | Mechanical, Computer Science and Electrical & Electronics |
