Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is the Indian Air Force's own exam for selecting commissioned officers into the Flying, Ground Duty (Technical) and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. It is held twice a year, is open to both men and women, and leads straight to officer training at the Air Force Academy — no Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam involved.
The AFCAT is conducted by the Indian Air Force to recruit officers through Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying branch and through Permanent or Short Service Commission in the Ground Duty branches. Candidates who clear the online test are called to an Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) for a five-day assessment, followed by a medical examination.
Selected candidates train at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad) and are commissioned as Flying Officers. Ground Duty (Technical) cadets also take an Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) along with AFCAT. National Cadet Corps (NCC) Air Wing Senior Division 'C' certificate holders can enter the Flying branch through the NCC Special Entry without writing AFCAT.
Mandatory for the Flying branch and Ground Duty (Technical); Maths helps in the Numerical Ability section.
Natural fit for Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics / Mechanical) branches via EKT.
Eligible for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) — Administration, Logistics, Accounts (B.Com) and Education.
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Flying Branch | Class 12 with 50% each in Physics and Maths, plus a graduation with 60% (with Physics and Maths at 10+2 level) or BE/BTech with 60% |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | Class 12 with 50% in Physics and Maths + 4-year engineering degree with 60% in the notified disciplines |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Administration / Logistics: graduation with 60% · Accounts: B.Com / BBA (Finance) / CA / CMA etc. with 60% · Education: postgraduation with 50% and graduation with 60% |
| Age — Flying | 20–24 years (up to 26 for holders of a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence) |
| Age — Ground Duty | 20–26 years |
| Marital status | Candidates below 25 must be unmarried at the start of training |
| Final-year students | Can apply, if they produce proof of passing by the date the notification specifies |
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| All categories | No category-based age relaxation — the same age window applies to everyone |
| CPL holders (Flying) | Upper age limit extended to 26 years |
Unlike most civil government exams, defence officer entries do not give OBC/SC/ST age relaxation.
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Height — Flying | Minimum 162.5 cm (men and women); leg length and sitting height limits also apply |
| Height — Ground Duty | Men 157.5 cm, women 152 cm (lower limits for some hill and North-East regions) |
| Weight | Proportionate to height and age as per IAF tables |
| Eyesight — Flying | Strict standards; corrective laser surgery accepted only under specified conditions |
| General | Free of disease or disability that could interfere with training; detailed tests at the Air Force Central Medical Establishment |
Medical standards are detailed and branch-specific — read the AFCAT notification and IAF medical guidelines before you apply.
Register on the AFCAT portal during the notification window and choose your branch preferences.
A 2-hour objective test (plus EKT for Ground Duty Technical). Shortlisting is on merit against the AFCAT cut-off.
Officer Intelligence Rating test and Picture Perception & Discussion Test. Candidates who do not clear Stage I return the same day.
Psychological tests, Group Testing Officer tasks and a personal interview over the next few days. Flying candidates also take the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).
Detailed medical tests at an Air Force medical establishment.
An all-India merit list by branch and vacancies; selected cadets join the Air Force Academy, Dundigal.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness · Verbal Ability in English · Numerical Ability · Reasoning & Military Aptitude | 100 | 300 | 2 hours |
Questions are spread across the four areas; the IAF does not publish a fixed section-wise split. Each correct answer earns 3 marks.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical / Computer Science / Electrical & Electronics (as chosen) | 50 | 150 | 45 minutes |
+3 for every correct answer in AFCAT and EKT.
−1 for every wrong answer; unanswered questions carry no penalty.
Online, computer-based, in English only.
A fee is charged for AFCAT; NCC Special Entry candidates do not pay. Check the notification for the current amount.
The written test checks Class 10–12 level aptitude and general awareness rather than a degree-specific syllabus.
Core engineering topics of the chosen discipline at degree level.
IAF officers are paid on the 7th Central Pay Commission defence pay matrix, plus Military Service Pay and branch-specific allowances.
Pay Level 10 on commission, with annual increments.
Paid to all officers up to Brigadier-equivalent rank, on top of basic pay.
With DA and allowances; Flying branch officers also get a substantial flying allowance.
Fly fighter, transport or helicopter aircraft after specialised flying training.
Maintain aircraft, avionics, weapons and radar systems as an aeronautical engineer.
Run administration, logistics, accounts, meteorology or education functions at Air Force stations.
Free medical care, subsidised accommodation and canteen, leave travel, group insurance and pension (for permanent commission).
Rank on commission after academy training.
Time-scale promotion after about 2 years.
After about 6 years of commissioned service.
Wing Commander after about 13 years; Group Captain and higher by selection.
A practical, phase-by-phase plan. Adjust the timeline to when the next notification is expected.
Numerical Ability is Class 10 arithmetic — speed comes from daily practice.
General Awareness regularly includes questions on defence exercises, aircraft and appointments.
With −1 for wrong answers, accuracy matters more than attempting every question.
Practise communication, group discussion and Officer Intelligence Rating tests alongside the written exam.
*Eligibility, age limits, exam pattern and pay figures are based on recent official notifications and the 7th Central Pay Commission structure as of 2026. In-hand salary estimates are indicative and vary with city (HRA) and the current Dearness Allowance rate. Every recruitment cycle can change the details — always confirm in the latest official notification before applying.
Official source: Indian Air Force — AFCAT portal (afcat.cdac.in)