AFCAT
Indian Air Force
🎖️ Defence
🇮🇳 National level
● Active
AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is conducted by the Indian Air Force twice a year to recruit Class-I Gazetted Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches, through an online test and the AFSB interview.
AFCAT — the Air Force Common Admission Test — is conducted by the Indian Air Force to recruit Class-I Gazetted Officers. It is held twice a year (AFCAT 1, usually early in the year, and AFCAT 2, mid-year) for three streams:
- Flying Branch
- Ground Duty (Technical) — Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics / Mechanical)
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical) — Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Weapon Systems, Meteorology
Selection at a glance
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. AFCAT (online) | Computer-based test of 300 marks (+ EKT for Ground Duty Technical) |
| 2. AFSB Interview | 5-day Air Force Selection Board process (two stages) |
| 3. Medical | Medical examination at AFCME/IAM |
| 4. Merit List | All-India merit from AFCAT + AFSB |
Applications are made online at afcat.cdac.in. This page covers the AFCAT eligibility, exam pattern and syllabus, application, and the AFSB selection process — checked against the official IAF notification.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
What is AFCAT?
AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is conducted by the Indian Air Force twice a year to recruit Class-I Gazetted Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.
What is the AFCAT exam pattern?
AFCAT has 100 questions for 300 marks in 2 hours, with +3 for a correct answer and −1 for a wrong one. Ground Duty (Technical) candidates also take the EKT — 50 questions for 150 marks in 45 minutes.
What is the age limit for AFCAT?
Broadly 20 to 24 years for the Flying branch and 20 to 26 years for the Ground Duty branches, with relaxations as per the notification.
What is the selection process for AFCAT?
AFCAT (and EKT where applicable), followed by the AFSB interview and a medical examination before the final merit list.
How many times is AFCAT held in a year?
Twice — the AFCAT 1 cycle (around February) and the AFCAT 2 cycle (around August–September).