The AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) exam is a prestigious gateway to a respected career in the Indian Air Force. Conducted by the Indian Air Force, AFCAT aims to identify and select individuals with exceptional ability for vacancies/courses in various branches including Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) or NCC Special Entry. 

Open to both men and women who meet the eligibility criteria, AFCAT provides a platform for candidates to realize their dreams of serving the nation. IAF conducts the exam twice a year i.e. in February and August. However, the advertisements regarding applications are notified in June and December each year. 

AFCAT evaluates the candidates' aptitude, knowledge and potential, allowing them to explore the diverse roles that contribute to the excellence of the Air Force.

On successful completion of the written test, candidates proceed for the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing in Stages 1 and 2 followed by medical examinations. After these steps, the organization compiles an All India Merit List based on the candidate's performance in the written test and AFSB/SSB test. 

Afterward, they issue joining instructions to enroll in one of their Training establishments, depending on the vacancies in various branches/sub-branches. So, those who make it through these stages are set to enjoy a range of opportunities, from piloting state-of-the-art aircraft to managing complex technical operations.

Prepare with dedication and determination to embark on an inspiring career path with the Indian Air Force through AFCAT. For comprehensive details regarding eligibility criteria, application process and other necessary information please visit the official Indian Air Force website.

Exam Highlights

Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT Exam

To join the esteemed ranks of the Indian Air Force through AFCAT, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Nationality: Indian citizens as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Age: For Flying Branch and NCC Special Entry: 20 to 24 years (02 July 2000 to 01 July 2004) and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years (02 July 1998 to 01 July 2004).
• Marital Status: Unmarried, no marriage during training.
• Education:
  • Flying Branch: Passed 10+2 with 50% in Maths and Physics or Graduation/BE/B Tech with 60%.
  • Ground Duty (Technical) Branch: 10+2 with 50% in Physics and Maths, or Graduation/Engineering.
  • Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch: Passed 10+2, respective graduation in specific fields.
• Physical and Medical Standards: For detailed physical and medical standards, please refer to the official notification. 

NCC Special Entry Criteria

For candidates aspiring for NCC Special Entry, possessing an NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' certificate is mandatory. This certificate should have been obtained within two years from the AFCAT registration date when calculated backward. 

Notably, NCC Special Entry candidates are exempted from the written exam and will proceed directly to the AFSB testing at one of the designated AFSB centres. This offers a streamlined path for NCC Special Entry candidates to be assessed for their suitability to join the Indian Air Force

The AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) 2, 2024 follows a well-structured schedule, ensuring a seamless examination experience. The exam is conducted over three days, with multiple shifts to accommodate candidates. 

Wherein, the candidates are required to report at 08:00 hrs for the first shift and at 13:00 hrs for the second shift. The initial phase involves the verification of admit cards, ID proof, photography, and seating arrangements. This process occurs from 08:00 to 09:45 hrs for the morning shift and from 13:00 to 14:45 hrs for the afternoon shift.

Following this, candidates have a brief period from 09:45 to 10:00 hrs (morning) and 14:45 to 15:00 hrs (afternoon) to read through the instructions. The AFCAT examination itself takes place from 10:00 to 12:00 hrs for the morning shift and from 15:00 to 17:00 hrs for the afternoon shift during these 3 days of examination.

This systematic approach ensures that candidates are well-guided throughout the examination process, allowing them to focus on the assessments and perform their best. Take a glance at the exam pattern:

The AFCAT 2 examination in 2024 will take place over three days. This is a significant phase of the selection process where candidates will be tested on various subjects and skills. 

It is crucial to be well-prepared and confident while stepping into the examination hall. The dates as shown in the table below are of utmost importance to anyone aspiring to be a part of the Indian Air Force as a Group 'A' officer. 

Make sure to gather all necessary documents and fulfill the eligibility criteria before proceeding with the application.

List of Exam Centres (Tentative)

Before starting to apply for the AFCAT journey, it is important to check the official notification. From the exact vacancies and course numbers to eligibility criteria, physical and medical standards, and the selection procedure, the official notification available on the official Indian Air Force website has it all.

Candidates may access the following link to access the details regarding AFCAT Session 2.

AFCAT 2024 Official Notification [Link Will be Activated Soon]

Applying for the Indian Air Force through AFCAT is a systematic process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help start your online application smoothly:

Step 1: Head to https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in or https://afcat.cdac.in. Make sure you have your Aadhaar Card ready, as it's mandatory for online registration.

Step 2: Click on "CANDIDATE LOGIN" on the homepage to access the AFCAT Sign-in page. If you're a new user, click "NOT YET REGISTERED? REGISTER HERE" to create a login ID. You'll receive a password in your registered email and then sign in.

Step 3: Choose your desired entry - "AFCAT" or "NCC SPECIAL ENTRY FOR FLYING BRANCH."

Step 4: Click on "INSTRUCTIONS" and read the guidelines carefully.

Step 5: Confirm that you've read and understood the instructions. Check the box to proceed.

Step 6: Now fill application form with your personal & educational details and fill in all the other required information: 

Step 7: Upload your recent photo, signature, and thumb impression within the specified file size range.

Step 8: Choose your preferred exam city from the drop-down menu.

Step 9: You should agree to the declaration.

Step 10: For AFCAT, click "MAKE PAYMENT" to pay the examination fee online.

Step 11: Check "PAYMENT STATUS" to ensure your payment is successful. Your Registration Number will be displayed if the payment goes through.

Remember, accuracy is key. Double-check all information before proceeding to the payment step. And don't forget, if you're applying for both AFCAT and NCC Special Entry, submit separate applications for each entry.

Documents Required

Before starting the online application, prepare these scanned images:

• Recent passport-size color photograph (Size: 10-50 KB, Format: JPG/JPEG)
• Signature (Size: 10-50 KB, Format: JPG/JPEG)
• Thumb impression (left thumb for males, right thumb for females) made by pressing an inked thumb on plain paper (Size: 10-50 KB, Format: JPG/JPEG)

The AFCAT examination covers a diverse range of subjects to assess candidates' knowledge and aptitude. The syllabus for the AFCAT 2 exam includes various topics from English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning. For Numerical Ability, the questions will be of Matriculation level, whereas questions in other subjects will be of graduation level (Indian University). Note the specifics of each subject to better understand the areas of assessment:

The admit cards (released) for AFCAT 2, 2024 can be downloaded from the official website and they will also be sent to the registered email ID. However, as per the official notification, if any aspirant encounters any issues receiving the admit card via email or faces difficulties while downloading it from the website, he/she can reach out to the AFCAT Query Cell at C-DAC, Pune. The contact numbers of the query cell are 020-25503105 or 020-25503106, or one can send queries to afcatcell@cdac.in.

Candidates must be aware that the process of obtaining the admit card is crucial, but it doesn't signify the final acceptance of the candidature by the Indian Air Force. It's a step towards participation, and the Indian Air Force's acceptance will be communicated through official channels.

Now, as the AFCAT examination dates have approached, please ensure you follow the below-mentioned steps (For AFCAT Candidates Only) to secure your admit card, an essential document for your participation:

1. Visit the official website https://afcat.cdac.in.
2. Locate and click on the "DOWNLOAD ADMIT CARD" notification.
3. Provide your relevant details such as registration number, password, etc.
4. Upon entering the required details, click on the "Submit" or "Download" button.
5. Your admit card will be displayed on the screen. Verify all details for accuracy.
6. Download and save the admit card in a secure location.