What is Air Forces Common Admission Test ? AFCAT is a pivotal examination conducted by the Indian Air Force, serving as the primary gateway for individuals aspiring to become officers in various branches, including Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical).
This rigorous test evaluates candidates’ proficiency in areas such as general awareness, verbal ability, numerical ability, reasoning, and military aptitude. Successfully passing the AFCAT examination is a crucial milestone, as it opens the doors to subsequent stages of selection, including the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview and medical assessments.
These multiple assessment phases are designed to identify and recruit the most promising candidates who will have the privilege of serving as officers in the prestigious Indian Air Force. If a career in the Indian Air Force is your aspiration, preparing diligently for the AFCAT is a paramount step toward realizing your ambitions.”
AFCAT is an exam conducted by the Indian Air Force twice a year to recruit candidates for its Technical and Non-Technical (Flying Branch and Ground Duty) posts. Anyone willing to join the Indian Air Force has to crack the exam and the AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) Interview.
AFCAT takes place two times a year- February and August. Every post has different requirements. Today, we will discuss the eligibility criteria, education qualification, and age limit for the AFCAT exam.
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AFCAT Eligibility: Overview
| Exam Name | AFCAT |
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force |
| Nationality for Applying AFCAT | Indian |
| Marital Status for AFCAT | Unmarried |
| Who can apply | Men and Women |
| Age Limit for AFCAT | For Flying Branch: 20 to 24 yearsFor Ground Duty: 20 to 26 years |
| AFCAT Educational Qualification | 60% in Math’s and Physics in 10+2Graduate |
| Physical Eligibility for AFCAT | Height requirement – Flying Branch – 162.5 cmGround duty (Tech-Non tech)Male -157.5 cmFemale -152 cm |
Why AFCAT eligibility criteria is important?
- The Indian Air Force is strict and conducts verification of eligibility criteria concerning original documents.
- After qualifying for the written exam and interview, the next step is verification.
- The Air Force has the right to reject the candidate if found ineligible.
- If the candidate is appointed, in such a case, they are liable to be removed from service.
AFCAT Full form – Eligibility Criteria
What is Air Forces Common Admission Test
Nationality
To be able to apply for AFCAT, one must be a citizen of India.
Marital Status
- At the time of training, candidates under 25 years old must not be married.
- If anyone is widow or divorced under the age of 25 are not eligible to apply for AFCAT .
- Candidates marrying during training sessions will be expelled from the service and will be liable to refund all the expenditure incurred on them by the government.
- Candidates above 25 years of age can also apply, but will not be given married accommodation, and they will not be allowed to live with their family outside the campus during the training period.
Age Limit for AFCAT
AFCAT Flying Branch
The age limit applies to both male and female candidates.
- Minimum Age to apply – 20 years
- Maximum Age to apply – 24 years
(It means that the candidates must have been born between 02 July 1999 to 01 July 2003)
What is Air Forces Common Admission Test Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical)
- Minimum Ae to apply – 20 years
- Maximum Age to apply – 26 years
(It means that the candidate must have been born between 02 July 1997 to 01 July 2003)
Air Force Age Limit – AFCAT & NCC Entry
NCC Entry Age Limit – 20 – 24 Years
AFCAT Age Limit – 20 – 24 Years
Flying Branch in Air Force – Eligibility Criteria
- The age limit for both males and females must be between 20- 24 years.
- Both females can apply for the Flying Branch. IAF provides a Permanent Commission (for men) / Short Service Commission for men and women.
- If a candidate applying is below 24 years must be unmarried.
Flying Branch in Air Force -Education Qualification
- Candidates applying for the flying branch must have 50% marks in Mathematics and Physics in class 12.
- One should have graduated (three-year course) in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. B Tech/B. E (Four Year Course) with 60% marks from a recognized University
Ground Duty Technical Branch in Air Force- Eligibility Criteria
- The age limit for the Ground duty technical Branch should be 20 to 26 years at the time of commencement of the course.
- Both males and females can apply for ground duty. IAF provides a Permanent Commission (for men) / Short Service Commission for men and women.
- If a candidate is below the age of 25 years old, they must be unmarried.
Ground Duty Technical Branch in Air Force-Aeronautical Engineering Electronics
- Candidates applying for ground duty technical branch must have a minimum of 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and have undergone any one of the following educational qualifications:-
- A four-year graduation in engineering /technology from a university
OR
- Must have cleared section A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institute of Engineers or Aeronautical Society of India,
Aeronautical Engineering Mechanical
- Candidates applying for ground duty technical branch must have a minimum of 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and have undergone any one of the following educational qualifications:-
- A four-year graduation in engineering /technology from a university
OR
- Must have cleared section A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institute of Engineers or Aeronautical Society of India,
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) in Air Force- Eligibility Criteria
- The age limit for ground duty, non-technical is 20 to 26 Years.
- Both males and females are eligible to apply for the post.
- If a candidate is below 25 years old, they must be unmarried.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) in Air Force–Education Qualification
Administration Branch
- Candidate must have a graduate degree (three-year course) with at least 60 % marks from a recognized university or equivalent,
OR
- Must have cleared section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
Logistic Branch
- Candidate must have a graduation degree with at least 60% marks from a recognized university or equivalent.
OR
- Must have Cleared section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks
Accounts Branch
- Candidate must have a B.com degree with a minimum of 60% marks from a recognized university.
Education Branch
- Candidate must have passed 12 and post-graduation with 50% marks in integrated courses offering PG and 60% marks in Graduation in any discipline.
Meteorology Branch
- Candidate must have post-graduation in any science stream/ geography/environmental studies / Mathematics/ Statistics/ / Environmental Biology/Agricultural Meteorology/ Ecology & Environment/ Applied Physics/Geo-physics.
- Remember, the candidate must have scored at least 50% marks in aggregate in all the papers of post-graduation.