AFCAT 2021: Latest Update, Result, Application Process, Syllabus & Vacancies

Check out the table below for important dates of AFCAT I and AFCAT II 2021:

AFCAT 2021 Exam Pattern (Scheme of Online Examination)

Candidates who have applied for the Ground Duty (Technical) branch are supposed to appear in both AFCAT and EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test).

AFCAT exam 2021 will have General Awareness, Numerical Ability, and Verbal Ability in English and Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test subjects.

The total duration of the exam is 2 hours. Within the stipulated period, candidates have to answer 100 questions that carry 300 marks in total. The underneath table clarifies it better. 45 minutes will be given to complete the EKT exam for the Ground Duty Technical Branch.

• Question Type: Objective-type questions
• Language: English for both EKT and AFCAT
• Marking Scheme: Each question carries 3 marks. However, one mark would be deducted for every wrong answer. No marks will be given for unattempted questions.
• Standard: Matriculation level for Numerical Ability Questions. Graduation level for other subjects.
• Qualifying Marks - “Air Force has the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all the subjects of the examination.”

Note - Candidates are required to appear for the AFCAT exam in person. No scribe facility will be allowed to any candidate for appearing in the exam under any circumstances.

AFCAT 2021 Syllabus:

Both male and female candidates appearing in the exam will have to be well-versed with English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability and Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test.

Level: The level of questions in the Numerical Ability section will be of Matriculation. The level of questions in other subjects will be of graduation as per the Indian University.

Practice Test: Online practice test for AFCAT and EKT is provided on the official website. Candidates must appear for the practice test to analyse their preparation and enhance their performance.

AFCAT Preparation Tips

Before preparing for the exam, understand the exam pattern and the syllabus. Here are the preparation tips for the exam:

• Make a study plan with time for each subject. Keep a break (10-15 minutes) between the study sessions. 5 to 8 hours of study daily is important for AFCAT preparation.
• While studying for the exam, make notes of important points. It will help in retaining the topic and will be handy at the time of revision.
• Read the newspaper daily, subscribe to monthly current affairs magazines, and also keep a track of the news through news channels. You must know the static GK along with the last 6 months current affairs.
• For the quantitative section, work on tricks to solve the question quickly. Memorize the formula. Topics such as Percentage, Profit and Loss, Time & Work, Simple Interest & Compound Interest are commonly asked. So, focus on them.
• Don’t miss out on previous years papers. Previous years question papers will help in understanding the pattern of the exam, type of questions, the difficulty level of the questions, etc.  You can also solve CDS exam papers for AFCAT preparation.
• Revise everything you have studied a day earlier on the next day. Revise from the short notes. Revision is an important part of the preparation phase. It helps in remembering the content.
• Appear for mock tests. Mock tests help the candidates in analysing their preparation level and improving time management skills.

Topper’s Interview

AFCAT 2018 topper Abhinav Kumar Jaiswal scored 206 marks (out 0f 300) in the online examination. Let’s take a look at what Abhinav has to share about his success mantra. We hope you will get some good points to include in your exam preparation.

Q: Which would you choose between hard-work and smart-work and why?

They both go hand-in-hand but I would prioritize smart-work as you can accomplish a task in less time, saving time for completing other tasks.

Q: Have you appeared for any other examination?

Yes, I appeared for CDS as well.

Q: When and how should the aspirants start their preparation?

Start the preparation as early as possible. Dedicated more time to the sections you are weak in. Also, appear for at least 3 mock tests in a week and analyse the mock test properly to track the level of your preparation.

Q: Is there any study plan you want to share?

You need to prepare your study plan which can be followed on a regular-basis. Dedicate time for each section. Give more time to the subject you need to improve.

Q: Is it necessary to join coaching for the AFCAT exam? Did you take any coaching?

No, I didn’t take any coaching. And, it is not necessary to take coaching, it is all your personal choice. You can easily cover the syllabus on your own. Also, there are many useful Youtube videos for AFCAT preparation.

Q: Are there any subject-specific preparation tips?

Current affairs are important for both the written exam and the interview phase. Read the newspaper daily. For static GK, you can memorize. In the Quantitative section, brush up on your basic concepts and practice as many questions as you can from different sources. Previous years’ papers are a must to solve. Practice as many as you can.

Q: Are there any books you would recommend?

No. You can just clear your basic concepts and then go for practice material.

Q: Have you prepared for the Physical test?

Yes. You cannot get your body ready for the physical tests in just a few days. The more early you start your practice, the better will be your performance. So, I have started Walking + Jogging for 7 KM in the morning and daily exercise of 30-45 minutes.

Q: Any exam day tips?

Don’t panic and maintain your cool. If you are not able to solve some odd questions, don’t get pressurized. Continue with the remaining paper.

Q: What is your strategy for the AFSB Interview round?

I am brushing up on my vocabulary and current affairs. Also, physical activities are part of my daily routine.

Q: Do you also have any alternate plans if you didn’t make it to the final merit list?

Yes. Everybody should have. However, you can keep trying until you are eligible. My alternatives are the Bank PO exam and my Father’s NGO.

Q: What would you suggest to the AFCAT aspirants?

Avoid overconfidence. And the success mantra for the exam is - regular practice.

Q: What is your motivation behind joining the Indian Air Force?

The pride of serving the Nation in Uniform is unexplainable. Also, my uncle is a Col. in the Indian Army and his dedication towards his work has always motivated me to join the forces.

We hope the tips shared by Abhinav will help you in preparing better for the exam and his scores will be a motivation for you to achieve higher. 

AFCAT Preparation Books

As read above in the topper’s interview section, no particular books are recommended. However, referring to a book will give you structured information on each topic and it will become easy to complete the syllabus. Thus, here are some of the recommended books for the AFCAT exam:

Books Name

AFCAT Exam Guide by R. Gupta

AFCAT: Air Force Common Admission Test Solved Papers by Dr N.K. Natarajan

Let’s Crack AFCAT by SSBCrack

17 AFCAT Year-wise (2019-11) Solved Papers by Disha Experts

Study Guide to AFCAT 2020 by Disha Experts

Current Affairs Yearly 2020 by Arihant Experts

We don't recommend making a pile of books at your study desk. Buy a book only if you think it is required. Also, there is a lot of study material online such as videos by experts, notes, etc.

While buying the preparation books, make sure you look for the following points:

Language of the Book - the books should be easy to read and understand.

Edition - Make sure you buy the latest edition of the book. So, look for the publishing year of the book.

Recommended Books - Check out the interviews of the previous years’ qualifiers and buy the books recommended by them.

Practice Questions - Make sure the books have practice questions after each topic. It would be good if the book has sample papers.

The first and foremost qualification that an AFCAT aspirant must possess is that “he should be a citizen of India”. Check out the complete eligibility criteria below –

Age –

• For Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years as of January 01, 2022. The candidates should have been born between 02 January 1998 and 01 January 2002 (both dates inclusive). Relaxation in the upper age limit is provided to those who hold valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence (issued by DGCA India) up to 26 years.
• For Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) Branch: The applicants must be 20 to 26 years old as of January 01, 2022, i.e. they should have been born between 2nd January 1996 and 1st January 2002 (including both the dates).

Education Qualification –

• For Flying Branch: Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) with a minimum of 60% marks from a recognised University. OR, BE/B.Tech degree (four years programme) with at least 60% marks from a recognised University. OR, candidates who have qualified Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India or Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) from a recognised University with at least 60% marks are eligible.

All candidates should have mandatorily passed 10+2 level of education with at least 60% marks in each Physics and Mathematics.

• For Ground Duty (Technical) Branch:
  • Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics): Candidates with at least 60% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+ 2 level and a four-year graduation/ integrated post-graduation degree in Engineering/ Technology from a recognised University are eligible. OR, those who have cleared Sections A and B of Aeronautical Society of India or Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Graduate membership examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers with at least 60% marks in any of the following disciplines:
    1. Computer Engineering
    2. Computer Engineering/Technology
    3. Computer Engineering & Application
    4. Computer Science and Engineering/Technology
    5. Electrical and Computer Engineering
    6. Electrical and Electronics Engineering
    7. Electrical Engineering
    8. Electronics Engineering/ Technology
    9. Electronics Science and Engineering
    10. Electronics
    11. Electronics and Communication Engineering
    12. Electronics and Computer Science
    13. Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering
    14. Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering (Microwave).
    15. Electronics and Computer Engineering
    16. Electronics Communication and Instrumentation Engineering
    17. Electronics Instrument & Control
    18. Electronics Instrument & Control Engineering
    19. Instrumentation & Control Engineering
    20. Instrument & Control Engineering
    21. Information Technology
  • Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical): Minimum 60% marks in Mathematics and Physics in class 12th examinations and four-year graduation/ integrated post-graduation degree in Engineering/ Technology from a recognised University. OR, must have cleared Sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with minimum 60% marks in the following disciplines:
    1. Aerospace Engineering
    2. Aeronautical Engineering
    3. Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
    4. Mechanical Engineering
    5. Mechanical Engineering and Automation
    6. Mechanical Engineering (Production)
    7. Mechanical Engineering (Repair and Maintenance)
    8. Mechatronics
    9. Industrial Engineering.
• For Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch:
  • Accounts: B.Com degree or equivalent with 60%marks from a recognised University.
  • Administration & Logistics: Graduate degree (any discipline) with at least 60% marks from a recognised university or cleared sections A and B examinations (60% marks) of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers India or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised University.
  • Education: MCA/MBA or M.Sc/MA degree in English/ Mathematics/ Statics/ Physics/ Chemistry/ International Studies/ International Relations/ Defence Studies/ IT/ Management/ Computer Science/ Psychology/ Journalism/Mass Communication/ Public Relation with at least 50% marks and 60% marks in graduation degree. For integrated courses, the minimum marks requirement is 50% marks.
  • NCC Special Entry (Flying Branch): Candidates need to showcase the “NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate acquired on or after 2nd June 2016”. This certificate is mandatory. Aspirants with at least 60% marks in each Physics and Mathematics at 10+ 2 level and four-year graduation from a recognised University are eligible. OR, those who have cleared Sections A and B of Aeronautical Society of India or Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) with at least 60% marks.

In the case of CGPA

In case your university awards CGPA or grades instead of marks, you need to convert the CGPA into marks while filling the same in the application form. The conversion is to be done based on the procedure certified by your University. If the University has not provided any such conversion procedure, then:

Convert the CGPA into a 10 points scale and multiply it by 10 to get the equivalent percentage.

Final Year Students

Those who are in the final year/ semester of the qualifying degree can also apply for the exam if their minimum percentage will be 60% including the result of the last semester which is yet to come. Such candidates should not have any backlog. The result of the final year must be declared up to the time of application submission. For AFCAT-I 2021, such candidates must submit proof of passing the qualifying exam by 15th November 2021.

NOT ELIGIBLE The following candidates are not eligible for the AFCAT exam: Those who have failed the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) / Pilot aptitude Battery Test (PABT) in earlier attempts are not eligible for the Flying Branch. Flight Cadet who has been suspended from flying training at Air Force Academy is also ineligible for the Flying Branch. Those who were admitted earlier to any course at the Indian Military Academy, National Defence Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Officers’ Training Academies but were removed on interdisciplinary grounds are ineligible.  Those debarred by the Ministry of Defence from any type of commission in the Defence Services. Those convicted on criminal charges or are still stuck in criminal cases are also ineligible to apply for the exam.

Marital Status –

• Candidates who are less than 25 years of age must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course.
• If an applicant is above 25 years of age and married, are eligible. However, such candidates will ‘neither be provided married accommodation nor can they live out with family’.

Ineligible Candidates

• Widows and divorcees, below 25 years, are not eligible for the exam.
• If a candidate marries after the date of his application submission, he will not be eligible for training even if he clears the SSB or medical.

If a candidate marries during the training period, he will be discharged and will be liable to refund the expenses incurred on him by the Government during the training.

Physical and Medical Qualification –

The Indian Air Force keeps a close eye on the physical and medical standards of the candidates. The applicants must be physically fit and should meet the prescribed standards. They will further undergo the medical examination conducted at IAM, Bengaluru or AFCME, New Delhi. Both male and female candidates must undergo the medical test. Those who skip this important stage will only find their candidature getting rejected. Heights, Physique, visual standards and other important parameters will be checked by the concerned department.

Here are the physical and medical qualifications required. Although there are a lot of conditions, we are covering only the main points here. For complete information on the Medical Standards, candidates must refer to appendix A, B, C, and D’ in the official notification.

Chest - The chest should be well developed and well proportioned with a minimum range of expansion of 5 cm.

Height -

For Ground Duty Branches:

• The minimum height should be 157.5 cm.
• For Gorkhas, candidates belonging to the North-Eastern region, and hilly regions of Uttarakhand, the minimum height should be 152.5 cm.
• For Lakshadweep candidates, the minimum height will be 155.5 cm.

For Flying Branch:

The minimum height should be 162.5 cm. Other acceptable measurements are:

• Sitting height: Minimum - 81.5 cm, Maximum - 96.0 cm
• Leg length: Minimum - 99.0 cm, Maximum - 120.0 cm
• Thigh-length: Maximum - 64.0 cm

General Medical and Surgical Assessment

• The residual effects of old injuries or fractures will be assessed for any functional limitations. If there is no effect on functionality, candidates will be considered fit. However, cases of old fractures of the spine are considered unfit. The presence of large or multiple keloids will also cause rejection.
• “Cervical rib without any neurovascular compromise will be accepted. This will be recorded in the medical board proceedings.”
• Minor birthmarks and scars (resulting from the removal of tuberculous glands) do not, per se, indicate unsuitability for employment on flying duties. However, extensive scarring of a limb or torso causing a functional limitation or unsightly appearance will be considered unfit.
• A candidate who has undergone an abdominal operation (except simple appendicectomy) involving extensive surgical intervention or total or partial excision of any organ is unsuitable for flying duties.
• “Asymmetry of the face and head, which will interfere with proper fitting of oxygen mask and helmet, will be a cause for rejection for flying duties.”

Cardiovascular System

• The normal pulse rate can vary from 60-100 bpm.
• History of breathlessness, chest pain, fainting attacks, palpitation, giddiness, chorea, frequent sore throats, rheumatic fever, and tonsillitis will be considered while assessing the cardiovascular system.
• A medical specialist will carry the assessment of a properly recorded Electrocardiogram (ECG) - resting 14 lead. Wave patterns, the amplitude, duration, and time relationship will be noted.

Respiratory System

• “Any evidence of significant residual pleural thickening will be a cause for rejection.”
• History of repeated attacks of allergic rhinitis/ bronchial asthma/ wheezing will cause rejection.
• “Definite radiological evidence of disease of the lungs, mediastinum and pleura indicates unsuitability for employment in the Air Force.”
• “Any residual scarring in pulmonary parenchyma or pleura, as evidenced by a demonstrable opacity on chest radiogram will be a ground for rejection.”
• “Old treated cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis with no significant residual abnormality can be accepted if the diagnosis and treatment were completed more than two years earlier.”

Gastrointestinal System

• History of ulceration or infection of the tongue, mouth, throat, or gums will be noted including any major dental alteration.
• The following dental standards will be observed:
  • Candidates must have 14 dental points with the following teeth (in good functional condition) in the upper jaw with corresponding teeth in the lower jaw:
    1. Four or six anterior
    2. Six or ten posteriors (Removal or wired prosthesis are not permitted)
• History of jaundice will be noted and if any abnormality in the liver function is detected, a full assessment will be done. Those with viral hepatitis or other form of jaundice will be rejected.
• The liver will be accessed on the following parameters:
  • Fit - Normal echo anatomy of the liver, IHBR, CBD, portal and hepatic veins with liver span not exceeding 15 cm in the mid-circular line. Solitary simple cyst up to 2.5 cm in diameter.
  • Unfit - Solitary cyst greater than 2.5 cm, fatty liver, Hepatomegaly more than 15 cm in mid-clavicular line, calcifications more than 03 mm in size (or more than 3 calcifications even if they are less than 03 mm in size), Hemangioma greater than 02 cm, portal vein thrombosis, multiple hepatic cysts of any size.
•  Gall Bladder will be considered as per the following:
  • Fit - Normal echo anatomy; Post Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (“Candidates having undergone lap cholecystectomy may be considered fit if 08 weeks have passed since surgery and there is a total absence of gall-bladder with no intra- abdominal collection. Wounds should have healed well without an incisional hernia.”); Open Cholecystectomy (“Candidates having undergone open Cholecystectomy may be considered fit if one year has passed since the surgery, the scar is healthy with no incisional hernia and there is a total absence of gall-bladder with no intra-abdominal collection.”)
  • Unfit - Choledocholithiasis, Cholelithiasis/ biliary sludge, polyp of any size or number, gall-bladder cyst, choledochal cyst, septate gall-bladder, gall-bladder mass,
• Kidneys will be declared unfit in cases viz. Unilateral renal agenesis, malrotation, unilateral or bilateral hypoplastic, ptosed kidney, horseshoe kidney, crossed fused/ ectopic kidney.

Central Nervous System

• History of insomnia, nightmares, frequent sleepwalking, bed-wetting will cause rejection.
• History of mental illness/ psychological afflictions requires psychiatric investigation. Family history and medication history is also relevant. Severe headache and migraine will cause rejection.
• History of epilepsy, convulsions/ fits (after the age of five), seizure attacks are considered unsuitable for flying.
• “When a family history of Psychological Disorders like a nervous breakdown, mental disease, or suicide of a near relative is obtained, a careful investigation of the personal history from a psychological point of view is to be obtained. While such a history per se is not a bar to Air Force duties, any evidence of even the slightest psychological instability in the personal history or present condition will entail rejection. ”
• Psychosis and drug dependency (any form) will cause rejection.
• An evident neurological deficit will lead to rejection.
• “Mentally unstable and neurotic individuals are unfit for commissioning. Juvenile and adult delinquency, history of a nervous breakdown or chronic ill health will be causes for rejection. Particular attention will be paid to such factors as unhappy childhood, poor family background, truancy, juvenile and adult delinquency, poor employment and social maladjustment records, history of a nervous breakdown or chronic ill-health, particularly if these have interfered with employment in the past. ”
• Those with stammering issues are not considered fit for the Air Force duties. In doubtful cases, a detailed assessment by the Speech Therapist, ENT Specialist, Psychologist will be obtained.

Ear, Nose and Throat

Nose - Candidates with conditions such as septal perforation, atrophic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, paranasal sinuses, or multiple polyposes will be rejected.

Oral Cavity and Throat - Conditions such as the presence of cleft palate, pharynx or larynx, persistent hoarseness of voice, insufficiency of eustachian tube function, persistent tinnitus are causes of rejection.

Hearing - The following conditions will lead to rejection:

• Meniere’s disease
• Otosclerosis
• Bell’s palsy following an ear infection
• Vestibular dysfunction including nystagmus of vestibular origin

Assessment for Women Candidates

The following will be the cause of rejection:

• Lump in the breast
• Significant hirsutism
• Bicornuate uterus
• Arcuate uterus
• Uterus didelphys
• Severe menorrhagia
• Complete prolapse
• Pregnancy

The following conditions will not lead to rejection:

• A small ovarian cyst (6 cm or less in diameter)
• Small fibroid uterus (3 cm or less in diameter)
• Congenital elongation of the cervix (which comes up to introitus)

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria - Quick Question and Answers   Q: I have completed my class XII. Can I appear for the AFCAT exam? No. The minimum educational qualification required for the exam is graduation or post-graduation depending on the posts. Q: I filled in all the details correctly for the flying branch but it is showing that I am ineligible for the flying branch. Why? Please read the eligibility for the Flying branch correctly. Also, do check if you have filled in all the details correctly. Q: Is there any age relaxation in the flying branch for candidates holding CPL issued by DGCA? Yes, there is an age relaxation of two years for CPL holders. If the CPL is issued by any other body, relaxation will not be applicable. The upper age limit is relaxable to 26 years. Q: I have secured 62.3 per cent marks. Should I write the marks in decimals? You can write the marks in decimals. However, no matter how you enter the marks, they will be rounded off to the lower whole number. So, your marks will be considered 62 per cent.

The AFCAT (II) 2021 application process will start in June 2021. Candidates are advised to keep the pre-requisite documents ready beforehand. Here’s how you can fill the online application form.

“Aadhaar Card is mandatory for online registration.”

As per the official notification; “Please verify the correctness of information entered in all the fields before proceeding with the “Make Payment” option. Applicants will not be able to edit the previous details entered after the selection of the “Course Preferences” step and after the “Make Payment” step.”

“If an applicant has submitted more than one application, only the latest submitted application form against a particular Aadhaar Number, will be considered for the issue of Admit Card. However, the fee deposited while filling additional applications will not be refundable.”

Steps to Fill the AFCAT Application Form

1. Log on to www.afcat.cdac.in or www.careerindianairforce.cdac.in
2. Go to the ‘CANDIDATE LOGIN’ tab on the top bar and click it.
3. This will lead you to the AFCAT Sign-in page.
4. If not registered, click on the ‘NOT YET REGISTERED? REGISTER HERE’ link.
5. Enter details such as your name, father’s name, mother’s name, nationality, email Id, mobile number, secret question and answer, CAPTCHA, etc. Use your valid email ID to receive a password, which would help you to sign-in.
6. Use the login credentials that you have just received. Change the password and log out.
7. Now you need to log in fresh and then select “AFCAT”; “NCC SPECIAL ENTRY FOR FLYING BRANCH”; “METEOROLOGY BRANCH”.
8. Read ‘INSTRUCTIONS’ carefully proceeding to provide various details
9. Select ‘Application Form Filling’ – where you would need to provide Personal Information (Save & Continue), Qualification Details (Save & Continue), Course Preference (Save & Continue), Communication Details (Save & Continue) and Upload Documents (signature, photo, thumb impress, etc.).
10. The next step is to select the ‘Exam City’ from the drop-down menu.
11. ‘Declaration’ - Save & Continue to proceed to the fee payment page
12. Payment will be made online (credit card, debit card and net banking). Once the amount is released, you can check the ‘Registration Number’ to ensure the payment is successful.

Requisite Documents for AFCAT Registration

Candidates are advised to keep the following documents ready while filling in the online application form.

• Matriculation certificates and other educational certificates
• Aadhaar Card
• Scanned image of your recent coloured passport size photograph, signature, and thumb impression. The size of the image should be between 10 to 50 KB.
• Credit card, debit card for fee payment.

AFCAT 2021 Application Fee -

Candidates registering for the AFCAT entry are required to pay the examination fee of ₹ 250/- (non-refundable).

Mode of Fee Payment - The application fee payment can be paid only through the online mode using credit card/ debit card/ net banking. No Demand Draft or cheque or cash will be accepted as fee payment.

Exam Timing for AFCAT and EKT -

The AFCAT and EKT exams will be carried out in two days as per the underneath schedule –

Note: Candidates appearing at the exam centre after the pre-exam verification process has commenced will not get an entry under any circumstance. The verification process will start at 8 am for Shift 1 and at 12.30 pm for Shift 2.

AFCAT 2021 Centres -

The AFCAT 2021 exam will be conducted at the following 104 cities across the country:

• A: Agra, Agartala, Allahabad, Aizawl, Aligarh, Ambala, Ahmedabad, Amritsar
• B: Bareilly, Belgaum, Bengaluru, Bhuj, Bhagalpur, Bhopal, Bhilai, Bhubaneswar, Behrampur (Odisha), Bikaner
• C: Chennai, Chandigarh
• D: Darbhanga, Dehradun, Coimbatore, Delhi/NCR, Diu, Dhanbad, Durgapur
• G: Gorakhpur, Ganganagar, Guntur, Gwalior, Guwahati
• H: Hissar, Haldwani, Hyderabad
• I: Imphal, Itanagar
• J: Jabalpur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jalpaigudi, Jamshedpur, Jammu, Jhansi, Indore, Jorhat
• K: Kannur, Kakinada, Kharagpur, Kochi, Kanpur, Kohima, Kolhapur,  Kota,  Kolkata,  Kurukshetra
• L: Lucknow, Leh
• M: Mangalore, Madurai, Mumbai, Meerut, Mysore
• N: Nasik, Nagpur, Nizamabad
• P: Pathankot, Puducherry, Patna, Port Blair, Pune
• R: Rourkee, Rajkot, Rohtak, Ranchi, Rourkela
• S: Shillong, Sambalpur, Shimla, Solapur, Silchar, Srinagar
• T: Tinsukia, Thane, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirunelveli, Tirupati
• U: Ujjain, Udaipur
• V: Varanasi, Vadodara, Vijayawada, Vellore, Visakhapatnam
• W: Warangal

Note: Candidates are provided with the choice to fill their preferred examination center while filling up the application form. Thus, no changes in the exam center venue, date, or slot are allowed under any circumstances. As far as possible, IAF tries to allot the centers as per the candidates’ choices.

AFCAT (I) Admit Card 2021

The AFCAT (I) admit card was released on 5th February on the official website. The call letter was also sent to the registered email IDs of the candidates provided at the time of registration. Under any circumstances, it will not be sent through the post. Candidates will not be allowed to enter the examination hall without the admit card. If there are any discrepancies in the admit card details or any issue in downloading the same, inform the AFCAT Query Cell at 020-25503105 or 020-25503106 or email at [email protected]

How to Download AFCAT Admit Card 2021?

• Visit the website of AFCAT.
• Enter your registered email ID and Password, followed by CAPTCHA image to log in.
• That’s it! You can now download the call letter and take a printout for future reference.

AFCAT (II) Admit Card 2021

The AFCAT II admit card will be released in September/ October 2021. Candidates can download the same using their username and password and enter it at the official website - careerindianairforce.cdac.in. The admit card will also be sent to the registered email ID of the candidates. Please note that no admit card will be sent via post.

Details Mentioned on the AFCAT Admit Card

The following details are mentioned on the AFCAT admit card. Candidates are advised to check these carefully and report any discrepancies to the exam conducting authority at the earliest.

• Candidate’s Name
• Father’s Name
• Mother’s Name
• Candidate’s Date of Birth
• Gender
• Identification Mark Details
• Hall Ticket number
• Aadhaar Card Number
• Registration Number
• Address
• Email ID
• Mobile Number
• AFCAT Center Name and Address
• Date of the Exam
• Reporting time
• Uploaded Signature and Thumb Impression
• EKT Stream
• Declaration
• General Instructions

Candidates must paste their passport size photograph in the space provided. For reporting discrepancies in the AFCAT admit card, contact the AFCAT Query Cell at C-DAC, Pune at 020-25503105 or 020-25503106. Email can also be sent at [email protected].

Forgot Password? Procedure to Retrieve

It is a very common issue that candidates forget the password of their AFCAT profile. No need to worry as you can easily retrieve the password by following the steps mentioned below:

• Go to the official website and click on the candidate’s login link.
• The log-in window will appear on the screen.
• Look for the ‘Forgot Password’ link and click it.
• You will be asked to enter your registered email and answer the secret question.
• Reset the password.
• Now, log-in using your registration number and the new password.
• Do note down the new password at a place you remember.

Items Permitted inside the Exam Hall

Candidates are required to carry the following items inside the examination hall:

• AFCAT 2021 Admit Card
• Candidate’s Photo ID Proof (Original) - Any one of the Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving Licence, Voter Identity Card, College Identity Card.
• Two Passport-Size Photograph (coloured)
• Ball Pen (Blue or Black)

Items Not Permitted inside the Exam Hall

The following items are not allowed inside the examination hall:

• Textual Material
• Docu-pen
• Calculators
• Mobile Phones
• BlueTooth, Pager
• Slide Rulers, Electronic Watches, Log Tables

Malpractices

“If any candidate resorts to the use of unfair means during the exam, he/she will be withdrawn from the examination and his/her candidature will be cancelled.”

Exam Day Tips

• Keep all the required things viz. admit card, ID proof, and other items ready and don’t forget to carry them to the examination center.
• Reach the examination center well before time to avoid the last-minute rush.
• Keep calm during the exam. Just stay confident about your preparation.
• Attempt the questions you are sure about at first and then move on to the difficult questions. GK and Aptitude are scoring subjects. So, focus more on them.
• Don’t forget about the negative marking. It will reduce your score. So, don’t do any guesswork while answering the questions.
• Keep track of the time and try to solve questions in each section. Don’t ignore any section as qualifying each section is also necessary.

AFCAT (I) 2021 Result - 

The AFCAT result 2021 will be released in March 2021. Candidates had an opportunity to check the result through the official website by using their login credentials.

How to Download AFCAT Result 2021?

• Visit the official website of AFCAT.
• In the next step, enter your registered email ID and Password, followed by CAPTCHA image to complete the login.
• That’s it! You can now see the result and the scorecard in PDF format. You can take a printout for future reference.

AFCAT (II) 2021 Result

The AFCAT (2) 2021 result will be available at the official website in December 2021. To check AFCAT results, candidates need to enter email ID, password and captcha code. The result displays the qualifying status of candidates, section-wise marks, overall marks and cutoff marks.

The result is made available at the official website and candidates can check the same using their email-ID and password.

How to check AFCAT (2) 2021 Result?

• Go to the official website - afcat.cdac.in
• Click the link ‘AFCAT (2) 2021 Cycle’ given under ‘Candidates Login’ tab
• Enter your user ID, password and captcha code
• Click on 'Log in'
• AFCAT Result will appear on your screen
• You can take a print out for future use

AFCAT 2021 Cut-Off

The AFCAT 2021 cut-off will be released along with the result. AFCAT cut-off is the minimum qualifying mark required to qualify the exam. Those who secure the minimum qualifying marks are eligible for the next round of selection. The cut-off marks are determined by the IAF. It varies every year and depends upon the difficulty level and the number of candidates appeared for the exam.

Steps to check the AFCAT 2021 cut-off

The cut-off is mentioned on the scorecard. So candidates can easily check it while accessing the scorecards. Here are the quick steps:

• Visit the official website.
• Click on the candidate’s login link.
• Enter your details to log-in.
• The scorecard will appear on the screen. The AFCAT 2021 cut-off will be mentioned in the scorecard.
• Download the scorecard.

Factors Determining AFCAT Cut-Off

IAF determines the AFCAT cut-off based on various factors. Here are the factors:

• Total number of seats available (Vacancies)
• Number of applicants appeared for the exam
• The difficulty level of the exam
• Previous Years’ cut-off trends

Previous Years’ Cut-Off Trends

Here are the details about previous years’ cut-offs to help you understand the trends:

AFCAT-I 2021 Cut-Off

AFCAT-I 2021 result and cut-off will be released in March 2021. The cut-off details for the 2020 exam are as under:

• AFCAT-I cut-off - 153 (out of 300 marks)
• EKT-I cut-off - 40 (out of 150 marks)

AFCAT Cut-Off - Quick Question and Answers Q: What will be considered a good score in AFCAT? Looking at the previous trends, the cut-off ranges from 140 to 160. So, candidates must try to reach the cut-off level as well as score as high as possible for appearing above in the merit list. Q: Is there any sectional-cutoff in the exam? No, there is no sectional-cutoff in the exam. Q: Will my academic percentage be considered while preparing the merit list for AFSB Interview? No. The list of qualified candidates will be based only on the scores secured in the online examination. Q: If I qualify the AFCAT cut-off but not the EKT cut-off, will I not be selected? The EKT cut-off is for selection to the Ground Duty Technical branch. So, if you don’t qualify the EKT cut-off, you will not be considered for the branch. However, you will be eligible for other branches.

What After Online Test Result? Detailed Selection Process

AFCAT Written/ Online examination is the first phase of the selection process. The entire selection process comprises of the following stages:

• AFCAT Written Examination
• AFSB Interview/ Personality Test
• Medical Examination
• Final Merit List

We will be discussing the detailed selection process here. The details about the AFCAT exam are provided above in the ‘Exam Pattern and Syllabus’ section.

After qualifying the online AFCAT exam, candidates are required to appear for the interview round conducted by the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB). Those who have applied through the ‘NCC Special Entry’ can directly appear for the AFSB interview round. Qualified candidates are required to choose the AFSB interview date and venue through the official websites - careerindianairforce.cdac.in or afcat.cdac.in. The call letter for the interview will be generated after selecting the interview date and timing.

Important Points Candidates must be physically fit while reporting at the AFSB center. They must aim to achieve the ability to run 1.6 km in 10 minutes, do 3 chin-ups and 10 push-ups. Permanent tattoos are permitted only on the reverse side of the palm/ backside of hand and on the inner face of the forearm. Permanent tattoos on any other body parts are not acceptable. Tattoos on face or body as per existing tribe’s customs and tradition will be permitted. Candidates will be tested for the use of drugs during the medical examination. Use or possession of narcotics results in permanent debarment from the forces at any stage of selection, training, as well as service.

AFSB Interview Centers

The AFSB interview centers are at the following places:

• Dehradun (1 AFSB)
• Gandhinagar (3 AFSB)
• Mysuru (2 AFSB)
• Varanasi (4 AFSB)

Those who have opted for the flying branch can choose only from Dehradun, Varanasi, and Mysore centers.

Provision for Changes of Interview Dates

Requests for postponing the interview process may be considered only under genuine circumstances and that too on the sole discretion of the concerned authority. Such requests must be sent only through email to the AFSB center at which the interview is scheduled.

Stages of AFSB Interview Round

The interview round will comprise of the following three stages:

Stage-I: Stage-I is a screening test and candidates who qualify the screening test can appear for the next stages. The stage-I comprises Officer Intelligence Rating Test with Picture Perception and Discussion Test. The document verification process is also conducted in this stage to check the eligibility. These tests will be conducted on the first day. Those who don’t qualify the tests or fail the document verification process will be sent back on the first day only.

Stage-II: In stage-II, Psychological test is conducted. It is also conducted on Day 1 (Afternoon). Group Tests and Interviews are conducted for the next five days.

For Flying Branch: Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) is only for recommended candidates. It is a once in a lifetime test. “Candidates who have failed the CPSS/ PABT in an earlier attempt or a Flight Cadet suspended from flying training at Air Force Academy will not be eligible.”

Injuries during AFSB Tests

As per the official notification; “Candidates will appear before the AFSB and undergo the test at their own risk and will not be entitled to claim any compensation or other relief from Government in the event of any injury which they may sustain in the course of or as a result of any of the tests given to them at the Selection Board whether due to the negligence of any person or otherwise. Candidates will be required to sign an indemnity bond to this effect on the form appended to the application. ”

Documents Required to be Carried for AFSB Round

Candidates must carry the following documents for the document verification process at the AFSB center:

• AFCAT 2021 Admit Card
• Original Matriculation/ Secondary School Certificate and Mark Sheet issued by ICSE/ CBSE/ State Board. “No other certificate will be accepted for verification of Date of Birth.”
• Original Mark Sheet and Certificate of 10+2 examination issued by a recognised board.
• Original or Provisional Certificates and Mark Sheets of Graduation/ Post-graduation degree. Mark Sheets of each semester/ year is required. Provisional Certificate issued by a college Principal will not be accepted. However, if the provisional degree certificate is issued by the University, it will be accepted. 
•  If the student is in the final semester/ year, he is required to produce a certificate issued by the College Principal with the following details:
  • Name of the College
  • Name of the University
  • Discipline in which Graduation/ Post Graduation obtained
  • Aggregate Percentage
  • Likely Date of Declaration of Final Result (in DD/MM/YYYY Format)

The certificate should have the proper stamp and seal of the institution.

• Two photocopies (attested) of each of the above-mentioned certificates.
• NCC Certificate (original) - if applicable
• NOC from employers - if the candidate is working in State/ Central Government or any Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
• Valid Commercial Pilot’s License (original) issued by DGCA - if applicable
• Railway Ticket/ Bus Ticket (for a refund of TA)
• Twenty recent passport size coloured photographs (must be taken against a white background in light coloured clothes.)

Travelling Allowance (TA)

As per the official notification; “To and fro travelling fare by the shortest route of AC-III Tier/AC Chair Car or actual normal bus fare will be reimbursed to the candidates appearing in AFSB for the first time. ” Candidates must furnish the railway ticket/ bus ticket (in hard copy) to the Board to claim the TA. “No TA is admissible if you have already appeared for the same type of entry at any of the Selection Boards.”

Change in address (if any) must be intimated to the board before reaching the interview center.

AFCAT Selection Process - Quick Question and Answers Q: Are the AFSB Interview days reduced to 3 days? No. There is no information on the reduction of Interview days. The AFSB Interview and Tests will take 5 days to complete. Q: Is there any reservation in the AFCAT selection process? No, there is no reservation.

Final Merit List

To be eligible for the final selection, candidates must have secured the minimum qualifying marks in the written examination and AFSB tests, separately. The final merit list is prepared based on the total marks secured by the candidates in the written examination and AFSB round. As per the official notification; “The form and manner of communication of the result of the examination to individual candidates shall be decided by the IAF at their discretion.”

Note - “10% of the vacancies are reserved for NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' certificate holders in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-technical) Branches. Allotment of PC/ SSC in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-technical) Branches would be based on the number of vacancies, performance in the selection process and the choice given by the candidates.”

Training

After the final merit list declaration, candidates are required to undergo the training. Candidates are detailed for the training only on merit basis and vacancies. The details of the training are as under:

Date and Duration

Training for candidates, who will qualify for the AFCAT 2021 selection process, is scheduled to commence in the first week of January 2022 for all courses. The approximate duration of training is as under:

• For Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) Branches - 74 weeks
• Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches -  52 weeks

Training will be conducted at Air Force Training Establishments.

Physical Conditioning

“Candidates are advised to keep themselves in good physical condition to adapt to physical training at AFA which encompasses running, swimming, rope climbing and other forms of physical training/conditioning in which they would undergo mandatory tests during training. Candidates are advised to keep themselves in good physical condition by following the under mentioned routine:

• Running: up to 4 Km. in 15 minutes
• Skipping
• Push-ups & Sit-ups: Minimum 20 each
• Chin-ups: 08
• Rope Climbing: 3 to 4 metres
• Swimming (25 m)”

Important Note - “After admission to Air Force Academy, candidates will not be considered for any other commission. They will not be permitted to appear for any interview or examination after they have been finally selected for training in AFA. No request for withdrawal of candidature received from a candidate after he/she has submitted his/her application will be entertained under any circumstance. PAN Card, Aadhaar card and account in SBI/ Nationalized Bank is mandatory at the time of joining Air Force Academy (AFA).”

AFCAT Job Profile, Salary, and Career Growth

Job Profile

The job profiles are different as per the branches. Here are the details about branches and the respective departments come under them:

Branches	Departments
Flying	Helicopter, Fighter, Transport (Commercial)
Ground (Technical)	Mechanical and Electrical
Ground (Non-Technical)	Logistics, Administration, Education, Accounts, Meteorology

Annual Salary

A stipend of ₹ 52,600 is paid to trainees of the Indian Air Force during the training period. The annual package for each branch is as under:

• Flying branch - INR 8 to 10 lakhs
• Ground Duty (Technical) - INR 7 to 9 lakhs
• Ground Duty (Non-Technical) - INR 7 to 9 lakhs

In-Hand Monthly Salary (Initial)

• Flying Branch - INR 85,372/-
• Ground Duty (Technical) - INR 74,872/-
• Ground Duty (Non-Technical) - INR 71,872/-

Salary Structure

The latest breakdown of salary for a commissioned officer is as under:

Heads	Amount (per month)
Pay Band (Level 10 - Pay Matrix)	INR 56,100/-
Military Service Pay	INR 15,500/-
CPC	INR 56,000/- to 1,10,700/-

Benefits and Perks

Candidates are also entitled to other perks and benefits apart from the salary. These are categorised as under:

Categories	Benefits
Medical	Free access to medical rooms and hospitals for all officers and their dependents.
Insurance	Air Force Personnel - ₹ 75 lakhs Air Force Personnel (Pilots) - ₹ 85 lakhs
Loan Facility	House Loan Conveyance Loan Computer Loan
Scholarships and Welfare	Grants from the Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA)
Educational Opportunities	M.Tech. for officers of Technical branches in IIT and BHU-IT Tie-ups with IGNOU Study leave of up to 24 months
Other Benefits	Accommodation (Secured campus life) Annual leave of 60 days and casual leave of 20 days per year Leave travel concessions Rail concessions Institutes and Messes membership CSD facilities Recreational and sports facilities School facilities for children
Placement Cell	For retired officers to get private jobs as per their profile
Post-Retirement Benefits	Pension Medical (Lifetime) Insurance

Promotions

Promotions for the first three ranks are done on a time-scale basis and for the other posts based on selection. It depends upon the frequency with which the job positions get vacant. Here are some important points regarding promotions:

• After serving as a Flying Officer for 3 years, candidates are promoted as Flight Lieutenants. For this, they are required to qualify a department test.
• On completion of 6 years of service in IAF, the rank of Squadron Leader is granted.
• All officers are required to clear the promotion exam ‘C’ (departmental) for promotions.

Rank Structure

Here is the rank structure of the commissioned officers in the Indian Air Force:

Level	Posts
Junior Level	Flying Officer
	Flight Lieutenant
Executive Level	Squadron Leader
	Wing commander
	Group Captain
Director Level	Air Commodore
	Air Vice Marshal
	Air Marshal
Chief	Air Chief Marshal

Helplines for Candidates

Candidates can find answers to their queries through the helpline numbers. The timings for telephonic queries are from 0930 hrs to 1300 hrs and 1400 hrs to 1700 hrs from Monday to Friday (except for closed holidays).

For Queries related to Registration Process, Admit Cards, Online Examination

Contact AFCAT Cell on 020-25503105 or 020-25503106

Email at [email protected].

For Queries related to Eligibility, Date of AFSB Interview, Allotment of AFSB centers, Merit List, Joining Instructions, Selection Process

Contact on 011-23010231 Extn: 7610

Toll-Free Number - 1800-11- 2448

Visit Website at careerindianairforce.cdac.in or afcat.cdac.in.

 

Check our latest AFCAT Frequently Asked Questions - Click Here.