AFCAT

AFCAT eligibility and exam details

The AFCAT exam is different from NDA and CDS: AFCAT is primarily a graduate-level entry route into the Indian Air Force. It offers Flying, Ground Duty Technical and Ground Duty Non-Technical branches. Both men and women can apply for eligible branches.

1. AFCAT exam pattern

Subject	Questions	Marks
General Awareness	Included in total	—
Verbal Ability in English	Included in total	—
Numerical Ability	Included in total	—
Reasoning and Military Aptitude	Included in total	—
Total	100	300

• Duration: 2 hours
• Mode: Online, objective-type questions in English
• Correct answer: +3 marks
• Incorrect answer: −1 mark
• Unattempted question: 0 marks. Indian Air Force+1

2. Age limit and educational qualification

Flying Branch

• Age: 20–24 years under the applicable course-date rules.
• Graduation with at least 60%, with the required Class 12 Mathematics and Physics marks; or an eligible engineering degree.
• Commercial Pilot Licence holders may qualify for an upper-age relaxation under the notification.

Ground Duty — Technical

• Age: 20–26 years under the applicable course-date rules.
• Requires specified engineering or technology qualifications, with the prescribed marks and Class 12 subject requirements.

Ground Duty — Non-Technical

• Age: 20–26 years under the applicable course-date rules.
• Many branches require a recognised bachelor’s degree with at least 60%; Accounts and other specialist branches have additional qualification rules.

Source: Official Indian Air Force AFCAT eligibility. Always verify the specific branch criteria in the relevant notification.

Indian Air Force

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3. AFCAT selection process

1. Online AFCAT exam — qualify according to the applicable cut-off.
2. AFSB interview — includes officer intelligence tests, picture perception and discussion, psychological tests, group tasks and interview.
3. Medical examination — meet the relevant Air Force medical standards.
4. Final merit list — based on performance and eligibility, subject to vacancies.