AFCAT
What is AFCAT?
The Air Force Common Admission Test is one of the highly sought-after examinations conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to recruit eligible candidates for the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical) Branch, and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch. The AFCAT exam is conducted twice a year by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Interested candidates who wish to join the Indian Air Force can apply online for the AFCAT exam.
The willing candidates who aspire to qualify for the AFCAT exam must perform well in every particular stage of the selection process. After qualifying for the AFCAT online examination, the shortlisted candidates are called for the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing.
The applicants who are applying for the AFCAT Ground Duty (Technical Branch) must appear for both the AFCAT online examination as well as the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). Whereas, the candidates from Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch have to appear only for the AFCAT exam.
AFCAT Exam 2024 Overview
AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is conducted twice a year, usually in February and August.The AFCAT 1 2024 exam is scheduled to be held from February 16 to 18 February 2024. The AFCAT 2 2024 exam dates are yet to be announced by the Indian Air Force.
AFCAT Exam 2024 Overview | |
Name of Organization | Indian Air Force |
Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 02/2023) |
Post Name | Flying Branch and Ground Duty Staff (Technical & Non-Technical)/ NCC Special Entry |
Year | 2024 |
| Batch | 01/2024 |
Registration Start Date | 1st December 2023 |
Last Date to Apply | 30th December 2023 |
Admit Card Release Date | 30th January 2024 |
Exam Date | 16th to 18th February 2024 |
Result Date | 8th March 2024 |
Mode of Exam | Online |
Frequency of Exam | Twice a Year |
AFCAT 1 2024 Vacancy
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon release the detailed AFCAT 2024 notification. The vacancy details are also notified in the detailed notification. Candidates will be selected based on the merit list of the AFCAT exam, availability of training slots, various cadre control mechanisms, and an exact number of vacancies. Check the table below to know the AFCAT vacancy for the 2023 cycle.
AFCAT 1 2024 Apply Online
Candidates looking for job opportunities in the Indian Air Force (IAF) can apply online for AFCAT through the official website of the AFCAT CDAC. The candidates should note that the application can be submitted online only. The candidates are advised to check the complete details before applying online. Candidates should fill the application online mode from the official website.
Step 1: Proceed to AFCAT Official Website and proceed to the application link.
Step 2: Complete your name, email ID, phone number, etc. in order to complete registration.
Step 3: Login in and fill in your desired selection entry, Personal, Educational, and other required details in the form carefully.
Step 4: Upload the required documents according to the prescribed format i.e. Photo, Signature & Thumb Impression (size of each jpg/ jpeg file to be between 10 and 50 kb).
Step 5: Select your exam city and proceed to fee payment.
Step 6: Pay the requisite application fee.
Step 7: The completely filled application form can be saved for future reference.
AFCAT 2024 Application Fee
Candidates applying for the AFCAT entry will have to pay an application fee while submitting the application form. Candidates applying for the NCC entry need not pay any application fee. The application fee should only be paid online. Payment through cash or demand draft (DD) will not be entertained. Candidates should keep the transaction details for future records.
| Entry | Application Fee |
| AFCAT Entry | INR 550/- |
| NCC Special Entry | NA |
Note: Fee is not applicable for NCC special entry.
AFCAT 1 2024 Eligibility
The aspiring candidates must ensure that they satisfy the AFCAT eligibility criteria as required. Candidates need to meet all the required criteria as mentioned below. Read below to know more.
| Eligibility Criteria | Requirements |
| Age Limit | 20 to 24 years |
| Qualification | Candidates should have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level |
| Nationality | The candidate must be a Citizen of India as per Indian Citizenship Act, 1955. |
| Marital Status | Candidates must be unmarried at course commencement and not married during training; those married will be discharged and liable for government expenses. |
AFCAT 1 2024 Syllabus
The questions that will be asked in the AFCAT written exam will be based on different subjects. Various topics for the AFCAT Syllabus for various subjects are as given below.
| Subject | Topics |
| English | Synonyms, Comprehension, Error Detection, Antonyms, Sentence Rearrangement, Sentence Completion/Filling in of correct word, Idioms and Phrases, Cloze Test, Fill in the gaps in a paragraph, Analogy, One word substitution |
| General Awareness | History, Geography, Civics, Environment & Ecology, Basic Science, Science & Technology, Polity, Defence, Art & Culture, Personalities, Current Affairs, National & International organizations, Sports |
| Numerical Ability | Time and Work, Average, Percentage, Decimal Fraction, Ratio & Proportion, Simple Interest & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Time & Distance (Trains/Boats & Streams), Area and Perimeter, Probability, Number System & Number Series, Mixture & Alligation, Clocks |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | Verbal Reasoning, Non Verbal Reasoning, Coding-Decoding, Series, Classification, Analogy, Logical Venn Diagrams, Data Interpretation, Mental Ability, Military Aptitude Test |
AFCAT 2024 Syllabus Preparation Tips
To prepare for the English section, candidates should read newspapers, books, and other relevant study material. Practicing previous year question papers and taking mock tests can also help improve performance.
For the General Awareness section, candidates must stay updated with the latest current affairs and can refer to various news sources, online magazines, and newspapers to keep themselves updated.
To prepare for the Numerical Ability section, candidates should practice solving mathematical problems regularly and refer to relevant study material.
For the Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test section, candidates should practice solving logical and reasoning-based questions regularly and refer to relevant study materials
AFCAT 1 2024 Exam Pattern
The written examination for the AFCAT will consist of 100 questions. The first section will consist of subjects like General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning which will be of 300 marks in total. The AFCAT Exam Pattern is as follows.
| Exam | Section | Exam Duration | Total No. of Questions | Marks |
| AFCAT | General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test | 02 Hours | 100 | 300 |
The subjects will be (Section I – Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning).
Section I will be of 300 marks in total with 100 questions.
The section I exam will be of a duration of 2 hours.
+3 marks will be rewarded for every correct answer.
There will be a negative marking of -1 for every wrong answer.
There won’t be any marking for unattempted questions.
AFCAT 2024 Salary and Additional Allowances
The Indian Air Force offers a variety of advantages to eligible candidates along with a handsome salary. The initial stipend payable to the trainee candidates at the time of training is Rs. 56100/- per month. The table below mentions the details of pay band, military service pay, and the CPC for AFCAT Salary which are offered to the employees.
| Post | Salary |
| Pay Band | INR 56,100/- per month (Level 10 – Pay Matrix) |
| Military Service Pay | INR 15,000/- per month |
| CPC | INR 56,000/- – INR 1,77,500/- |
Perks and Additional Benefits
All employees of the Indian Air Force receive a lot of benefits along with the salary which is offered to them. The perks and additional benefits are listed below. With such perks and benefits being offered to the selected candidates, the job profile is more desirable and one wouldn’t want to miss out on this opportunity.
Insurance
Scholarship and Welfares
Medical
Loan Facility
Educational Opportunities
Post Retirement Benefits
Placement Cell
Other Benefits (Travel Concession, Accommodation, School Facilities, etc.)
AFCAT Additional Allowances
Flying Branch- Rs 11250 per month.
Technical Branch Officers: Rs 2500 per month.
TA, DA, Children Education Allowance, Ration Money Allowance etc.
AFCAT 2024 Selection Process
The selection process for the AFCAT will be of various stages. The first stage will be a written examination. Candidates who qualify at this stage will be called up for the SSB exam. The SSB exam will further consist of tests like Picture Perception and Discussion tests, Psychological tests, etc. Also, the candidates must be physically fit when they appear for SSB Interview as they will have to undergo various tests. Finally, the candidates will be tested for medical fitness. Those candidates who will complete all the stages and fall under the final merit list will be considered eligible for the post. The AFCAT selection process will be as follows.
AFCAT Exam
Air Force Selection Board Interview(SSB)
Medical Examination
Note: Online Test will be held only for AFCAT Entry.
AFSB Testing
The Indian Air Force will invite qualified candidates by sending call letters to all the candidates who clear the AFCAT exam to appear for the second stage of selection that includes AFSB Testing, also known as the Air Force Selection Board. The AFSB comprises two stages of testing as mentioned below.
AFSB Testing Stage 1
Officer Intelligence Rating Test.
Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PP&DT)
AFSB Testing Stage 2
Psychological Tests
Group Tests
Personal Interview:
Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) Test (For Flying Branch)
Medical Examination
All those recommended candidates who have qualified for the AFSB will be called for the medical examination. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has notified only two centers for conducting the Medical Examination which is located at the Institute of Aviation Medicine, Bengaluru, and the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME).
Once the medical examination is conducted successfully, a final merit list would be declared on the basis of the marks scored by the candidate in the AFCAT written exam, and AFSB Interview. All those candidates who have been shortlisted would be given the joining letter to join the prestigious Indian Air Force.
When a candidate thinks to appear in the exam, one thing which is important is to have an understanding of the AFCAT Exam Syllabus. Once you know the proper syllabus of the exam, you are good to go. Start your preparation in and around the syllabus only. The AFCAT syllabus 2024 is divided into 4 sections:
- English
- General Awareness
- Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test
- Engineering Knowledge Test
AFCAT Exam Pattern 2024
Before getting into the AFCAT Exam syllabus, a candidate should have an overview of the exam pattern of AFCAT 2024. This will help a candidate to understand the pattern and marks according to the subject.
The AFCAT Exam Pattern can help an aspirant to understand about the number of questions asked, maximum marks and total time allotted to solve the question paper.
The exam pattern is discussed in detail in the article linked above, check out the same.
| AFCAT Written Test Exam Pattern | ||
| Exam | AFCAT | EKT (Only for technical) |
| Mode of Exam | Online | Online |
| No. of Questions | 100 | 50 |
| Maximum Marks | 300 | 150 |
| Duration of Exam | 2 hours (120 minutes) | 45 minutes |
| Sections in Paper |
|
|
| Negative Marking | -1 mark | -1 mark |
AFCAT Exam Syllabus 2024 – Technical Branch
The AFCAT Technical Syllabus forms a crucial component of the examination for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Air Force in the Technical Branch. This comprehensive syllabus encompasses various engineering disciplines and subjects, aiming to assess the technical knowledge and expertise of candidates. With a focus on topics ranging from aircraft systems to mechanical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, electronics, and instrumentation, the AFCAT Technical Syllabus serves as a roadmap for candidates to prepare effectively and demonstrate their proficiency in their respective engineering domains.
AFCAT Technical Syllabus
| Subject | Topics Covered |
| General Engineering | Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Physics, Engineering Drawing, Engineering Mechanics |
| Aircraft Systems | Aircraft Structures, Propulsion, Flight Mechanics, Aerodynamics, Material Science |
| Mechanical Engineering | Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Engineering Materials, Manufacturing Technology |
| Computer Science | Computer Networks, Data Structures, Programming Languages, Database Management Systems, Algorithms |
| Electrical Engineering | Electrical Machines, Control Systems, Power Electronics, Power Systems, Electronic Devices |
| Electronics | Analog and Digital Electronics, Electronic Devices and Circuits, Microprocessors, Communication |
| Instrumentation | Measurement and Control Systems, Industrial Instrumentation, Process Control |
AFCAT Exam Syllabus 2024 – Non-Technical Branch
The AFCAT Non Technical Syllabus constitutes an integral part of the selection process for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Air Force in the Non-Technical Branch. This comprehensive syllabus encompasses various subjects that assess candidates’ proficiency in verbal ability, numerical ability, reasoning and military aptitude and general awareness. Covering topics such as comprehension, vocabulary, mathematics, reasoning, spatial ability and current affairs.
The AFCAT Non Technical Syllabus aims to evaluate candidates’ aptitude and knowledge in areas essential for successful performance in non-technical roles. By assessing these skills, the syllabus enables candidates to showcase their abilities in communication, logical reasoning, problem-solving and awareness of the world around them
AFCAT Non Technical Syllabus
| Subject | Topics Covered |
| Verbal Ability | Comprehension, Error Detection, Vocabulary, Synonyms, Antonyms, Sentence Completion, Tenses, Grammar Rules |
| Numerical Ability | Number Systems, Simplification, Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Average, Profit and Loss, Time and Work |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude | Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Ability, Analogy, Series, Embedded Figures, Spatial Visualization |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs, History, Geography, Science, Sports, Indian Polity, Indian Economy, Awards and Honors |
AFCAT Syllabus – Subject-wise
Having detailed knowledge of the subject-wise syllabus of any exam will be very helpful to ace the exam. The topic-wise AFCAT Exam Syllabus should be known to understand the weightage of a particular subject while analyzing previous year question papers. Topic-wise details of the AFCAT Syllabus for English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability and Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test are given below:
AFCAT English Syllabus
The AFCAT English Syllabus is an important part of the exam. It has 30 questions to test one’s English skills. Candidates need to know the topics covered in the AFCAT Exam syllabus to do well in the exam. The syllabus covers various language skills like vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and writing.
AFCAT exam tests candidates’ reading and writing abilities. They must spot grammar mistakes, use synonyms and antonyms, and complete incomplete sentences and paragraphs to make them logical.
AFCAT English Syllabus preparation requires dedication and practice. Candidates must improve their language skills by reading, writing and practicing. Taking Online courses, coaching classes, and study resources can improve knowledge.
- Comprehension
- Error Detection
- Antonyms
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Sentence Completion/Filling in of correct word
- Idioms and Phrases
- Cloze Test
- Fill in the gaps in a paragraph
- Analogy
- One word substitution
AFCAT General Awareness Syllabus
Though the AFCAT exam syllabus of General Awareness is vast, the right amount of knowledge of the syllabus can be beneficial in the preparation. The standard of questions for general awareness will be the graduate level. Candidates are expected to possess knowledge of the following topics.
- History
- Geography
- Civics
- Environment & Ecology
- Basic Science
- Science & Technology
- Polity
- Defence
- Art & Culture
- Personalities
- Current Affairs
- National & International organizations
- Sports, etc.
AFCAT Maths Syllabus
The AFCAT Maths Syllabus is a big part of the AFCAT Exam. AFCAT maths syllabus covers topics like Time and Work, Average, Percentage, and more. This section is easier than other parts of the exam because it’s at the Matriculation level. To do well on the exam, you need to study the AFCAT Syllabus 2024, especially the Maths section, and practice solving problems regularly. If you work hard to understand the AFCAT Maths Syllabus and practice problems, you’ll have a better chance of passing the exam and starting a great career in the Indian Air Force.
- Time and Work
- Average
- Percentage
- Decimal Fraction
- Ratio & Proportion
- Simple Interest & Compound Interest
- Profit & Loss
- Time & Distance (Trains/Boats & Streams)
- Area and Perimeter
- Probability
- Number System & Number Series
- Mixture & Alligation
- Clocks
AFCAT Reasoning Syllabus and Military Aptitude Test
One of the important sections of the AFCAT exam is the Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test. It tests a candidate’s ability to apply logic and military skills in practical situations. Here are the topics included in the AFCAT Reasoning Syllabus and Military Aptitude Test:
- Verbal Reasoning: Verbal Reasoning is further divided into
- Series Completion
- Coding-Decoding
- Analogy, Classification
- Blood Relations
- Puzzle Test
- Logical Venn Diagrams
- Alphabet Test
- Ranking
- Time Sequence Test.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: This section is further divided into
- Series
- Analogy
- Classification
- Mirror Images
- Water Images
- Embedded Figures
- Completion of Incomplete Pattern
- Figure Matrix
- Paper Folding
You need to know the AFCAT Reasoning Syllabus 2024, particularly the Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test to perform well in the AFCAT Exam. You can enhance your reasoning skills by understanding the concepts and practicing. You can increase your chances of passing the AFCAT Exam by doing this. So, it is important to focus on the AFCAT Reasoning Syllabus and comprehend the topics in the Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test.
AFCAT Exam Syllabus : EKT
The Engineering Knowledge Test will be given by only those candidates who will apply for technical posts. In this section, questions will be specific to the stream of graduation like Computer Science, Mechanical, Electrical & Electronics. The questions for this section will be asked from the core technical subjects of the mentioned branches. A total of 50 questions will be asked in this section. The syllabus for some general engineering topics is given in the article.
AFCAT Syllabus 2024: Branch Wise
The AFCAT Exam syllabus for the Engineering Knowledge Test for AFCAT 2024 will consist of important fundamental subjects from the concerned streams. It is very important to understand and have a list of all the topics for the stream a candidate is interested. This will help a candidate to make a strategy for the AFCAT 2023 exam.
AFCAT Exam Syllabus Important Topics
It is very important to understand the AFCAT Exam Syllabus and topics that can help a candidate to score marks with ease and focus on particular topics. There are a few topics that will be helpful to ace the exam with ease. Check out some essential and easy topics for the AFCAT 2024 exam:
| Subject | Topics |
| General Awareness |
|
| Mathematics |
|
| English |
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| Reasoning and Military Aptitude |
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AFCAT Exam Syllabus Section-Wise Weightage
The AFCAT exam consists of four sections, each with a specific weightage. The sectional weightage may vary slightly from one exam to another, but the following is a general representation of the sectional weightage in AFCAT:
- Verbal Ability: This section assesses candidates’ English language skills. It typically includes questions on topics such as comprehension passages, error detection, vocabulary, antonyms, synonyms, sentence completion, and grammar. The weightage for the Verbal Ability section is approximately 25% to 30%.
- Numerical Ability: The Numerical Ability section evaluates candidates’ mathematical aptitude. It covers topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and data interpretation. The weightage for the Numerical Ability section is usually around 15% to 20%.
- Reasoning and Military Aptitude: This section tests candidates’ logical reasoning, spatial ability, and military aptitude. It includes questions on topics such as verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning, analogies, series completion, and embedded figures. The weightage for the Reasoning and Military Aptitude section is approximately 30% to 35%.
- General Awareness: The General Awareness section evaluates candidates’ knowledge of current affairs, history, geography, science, and general knowledge. It may include questions on both national and international events. The weightage for the General Awareness section is usually around 20% to 25%.