AFCAT stands for Air Force Common Admission Test. Through this exam, the Indian Air Force select eligible candidates for the post of Group A Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Both Male and Female candidates are allowed to appear for this exam. Interested candidates who want to apply for this examination need to fill and submit the application form in online mode. This exam is conducted twice in a calendar year. In this post, we are going to discuss complete details regarding AFCAT 2022 examination.

AFCAT 2022 admit card has been released now.

AFCAT admit card is now available.

AFCAT 2022 Important Dates

The official dates related to the AFCAT 2022 examination are given in the table given below.

AFCAT I 

AFCAT II 

AFCAT 2022 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must ensure that they are eligible before filling the application form. The eligibility criteria for AFCAT 2022 are as follows.

Age Limit

• Flying branch: The age of a candidate should be 20 to 24 years. The upper age limit is 26 years for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA.
• Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch: The age of a candidate must be 20 to 26 years.

Marital Status

• • Candidates below 25 years of age should be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course. Widows/ Widowers and divorcees (with or without encumbrances) below 25 years of age are also not eligible.
• Married candidates above 25 years of age are eligible to apply but during the training period they will neither be provided married accommodation nor can they live out with family.

Educational Qualification

The educational qualifications are different for branches of IAF.

• Flying branch

• • • Candidates must have passed the 10+2 examination with a minimum of 50% marks in Maths and Physics. And
      • Graduation with a minimum of three years degree course in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. Or
      • B.E/ B.Tech. from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. Or
      • Those aspirants who 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 are also eligible.
• Ground Duty (Technical) Branch

• • • Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics)
      • Candidates should have completed the 10+2 level with a minimum of 50% marks each in Physics, and Mathematics. Plus, candidates must have completed graduation/ integrated post-graduation in Engineering/ Technology from a recognized university. Or
      • Aspirants must have completed Sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate membership examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in the following disciplines – Communication Engineering, Computer Engineering/ Technology, Computer Engineering & Application, Computer Science and Engineering/ Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering/ Technology, Electronics Science and Engineering, Electronics, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science, Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering, Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering (Microwave), Electronics and Computer Engineering, Electronics Communication and Instrumentation Engineering, Electronics Instrument & Control, Electronics Instrument & Control Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, Instrument & Control Engineering, Information Technology, Spacecraft Technology, Engineering Physics, Electric Power and Machinery Engineering, Infotech Engineering, Cyber Security
• Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical)

• • • • Candidates should have passed 10+2 with at least 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics. Plus, aspirants should also have completed a minimum of four years degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/Technology from recognized University. Or Aspirants must have completed Sections A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with at least 60% marks or equivalent in any of the following discipline – Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Mechanical Engineering (Production), Mechanical Engineering (Repair and Maintenance), Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production and Industrial Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Aerospace and Applied Mechanics, Automotive Engineering, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Rubber Technology and Rubber Engineering
• Meteorology 

• • • Candidates must passed 10+2 and Post Graduate Degree in any Science stream/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Geography/ Computer Applications/ Environmental Science/ Applied Physics/ Oceanography/ Meteorology/ Agricultural Meteorology/ Ecology & Environment/ Geo-physics/ Environmental Biology with at least 50% aggregate marks. Please note that candidates must have studied Mathematics and Physics at graduation level with at least 55% marks in each.

Physical Standard

• Candidates should be physically and mentally fit.

AFCAT 2022 Application Form

Interested and eligible candidates who want to apply need to fill and submit the application form in online mode. The application form will be made available through the official website. Complete details related to the application process are as follows.

• First of all, aspirants have to register by providing their basic details including name, father’s name, mother’s name, email ID, nationality, mobile number, and secret question/ Answer.
• Aspirants then have to log in using the credential generated at the time of registration.
• In the main application form, aspirants have to provide their personal information, educational qualification details, and other contact details.
• The details entered in the application form must be accurate. Otherwise, the application form can get rejected.
• Along with the details, Candidates need to upload the scanned images of their photograph, signature and Left Thumb Impression (LTI).
• While filling details in the application form, candidates have to choose five cities as exam centre cities on the basis of their preference.
• All the candidates are also required to pay the necessary application fee.
• The application fee once submitted will not be refunded in any case.
• It is advised that candidates should take a printout of the application form submitted and fee payment receipt for future references.

Application Fee

• The application fee is same for all candidates i.e. Rs. 250/-

Mode of payment: Candidates can pay the application fees online using credit/ debit cards/ net banking through the payment gateway. No cash or Cheque or demand draft (DD) will be accepted towards payment of examination fee.

AFCAT 2022 Admit card

• The Air Force will release admit cards for eligible candidates 3 weeks before the examination date.
• Candidates will receive admit cards on their email IDs. Plus, aspirants may also download admit cards from the official website as well.
• Information such as examination date, timing, venue address, etc. will be mentioned on the admit card.
• No candidate will be allowed to enter the examination hall without an admit card.
• Along with the admit card, candidates must ensure that they carry the following documents at the examination centres.
  • Candidate’s Aadhar Card
  • Another valid photo identity card such as PAN card/ passport/ driving licence/ voter identity card/ college identity card or any other valid photo identity proof, with details of name, father’s name, date of birth and a clear photograph.
  • Two passport size colour photographs- same as the photo uploaded during online application.
  • Ballpoint Pen (Blue or Black) for signing on the attendance sheet and rough work.

AFCAT Exam Pattern 2022

Candidates preparing for the examination should know the examination pattern explained below.

• Mode of examination: Online (Computer-based test)
• Papers – 2 AFCAT and EKT (only those candidates who are opting for Ground Duty (technical) branch have to attempt both AFCAT and EKT)
• Type of questions: Objective type multiple choice questions
• Number of questions: 100 for AFCAT and 15 for EKT
• Duration of the examination: 2 hours for AFCAT and 45 minutes for EKT
• Marking Scheme: Each question will carry 3 marks
• Negative marking: 1/3rd mark will be deducted in case of an incorrect answer.

AFCAT 2022 Syllabus

The subject wise syllabus of AFCAT 2021 examination is explained below.

• English: Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion/ Filling in of correct word, Synonyms, Antonyms and Testing of Vocabulary, Idioms and Phrases.
• General Awareness: History, Geography, Civics, Politics, Current Affairs, Environment, Basic Science, Defence, Art, Culture, Sports, etc.
• Numerical Ability: Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion and Simple Interest, Time & Distance (Trains/Boats & Streams).
• Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test: Verbal Skills and Spatial Ability.

Result

• The result of AFCAT 2022 will release in online mode only through the official website.
• To check the result, aspirants have to provide their registration details.
• Information such as subject-wise marks and overall marks will be mentioned on the result card.
• It is recommended that candidates should take a printout of the result card for future references.

Air Force Selection Board (AFSB)

• Those candidates who will clear the written exam will be allowed to participate in the AFSB exam.
• Aspirants will be allowed to choose the AFSB date and venue by themselves.
• The AFSB test consists of the following stages.
  • 1st Stage: The first stage is the Officer Intelligence Rating Test along with Picture Perception and discussion test will be conducted on the first day. Those candidates who will clear the 1st will
  • 2nd Stage: The second stage contain the following tests – Psychological test, Group Tests and Interview
  • For Flying branch: This stage consists of Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS). Please note that CPSS is a once in a lifetime test. It means those candidates who failed in CPSS/ PABT exam earlier are not allowed to take this exam.
• Candidates must ensure that they have the following document with them while appearing for the AFSB Test
  • AFCAT Admit Card
  • Original Matriculation/ Secondary School Certificate and Mark sheets issued by CBSE/ ICSE/ State Board. No other certificate will be accepted for verification of Date of Birth.
  • Marks Sheet & Certificate of 10+2 (issued by the relevant Board) in original
  • Original/ Provisional Graduation Degree/ Post Graduation Degree Certificates and Mark Sheet of each year/ semester issued by University – only for verification of educational qualifications to check eligibility for the course. Provisional Certificate issued by college Principal is not acceptable. However, Provisional Degree Certificate issued by the University is acceptable.
  • Two attested photocopies
  • In case of final year/ semester students, a Certificate from the College Principal, clearly mentioning the following aspects annotated with proper stamp and seal of the Institution is required
    • 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)
  • Original NCC Certificate (if applicable)
  • Original valid Commercial Pilots’ License, issued by DGCA, if applicable.
  • Inbound Railway Ticket/ Bus Tickets. (For refund of Travelling Allowance)
  • Candidates are also advised to bring twenty copies of recent passport size colour photographs taken in light coloured clothes against a white background for documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Question – 1: In which cities the examination will take place?

Answer: It is expected that the examination will take place in the following cities – Agartala, Agra, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Alwar, Aligarh, Allahabad, Amritsar, Aurangabad, Bareilly, Behrampur (Odisha), Belagavi, Bengaluru, Bhagalpur, Bhilai, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Delhi and NCR, Dhanbad, Diu, Dibrugarh, Durgapur, Faridabad, Ganganagar, Gaya, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Guntur, Guwahati, Gwalior, Haldwani, Hissar, Hyderabad, Imphal, Indore, Itanagar, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jalpaigudi, Jammu, Jamshedpur, Jhansi, Jodhpur, Jorhat, Kannur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kohima, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Kota, Kurukshetra, Leh, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mathura, Meerut, Mumbai, Mysore, Nagpur, Nasik, Noida, Panaji, Pathankot, Patna, Port Blair, Puducherry, Pune, Rajkot, Ranchi, Shillong, Shimla, Silchar, Srinagar, Thane, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Tirunelveli, Tirupati, Udaipur, Vadodara, Varanasi, Vellore, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Warangal.

Question – 2: Is AFCAT a tough exam. What will be the level of questions? 

Answer: No, AFCAT is not a very tough exam. The level of Numerical Ability Questions will be of Matriculation level. The level of questions in other subjects will be of graduation level (Indian University).

Question – 3: Can I submit the AFCAT 2022 application form in offline mode?

Answer: No, the application form will not be available in offline mode. All the candidates need to submit the application form through the official website.

Question – 4: Can I get my AFCAT examination centre changed?

Answer: Please note that no request for change of centre/ date/ slot will be entertained

Question – 5: I have a permanent tattoo on my body. Can I get recruited in the Indian Air force?

Answer: Permanent body tattoos are only permitted on inner face of the forearm (from inside of elbow to the wrist) and on the reverse side of palm/ back (dorsal) side of hand. Permanent body tattoos on any other part of the body are not acceptable. However, IAF also permit Tribes with tattoo marks on the face or body as per their existing customs and traditions.