The full form of AFCAT is Air Force Common Admission Test. The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducts the AFCAT exam twice a year to recruit candidates for various posts in the Flying branch as well as Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) in the Indian Air Force. Candidates looking to get enrolled in Ground Duty (Technical) branches have to appear in both the AFCAT as well as the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). The AFCAT exam is one of India's most popular yet competitive recruitment exams, as a vast number of candidates attempt it yearly.
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There are two stages in the AFCAT exam - the written test and the AFSB (Air Force Selection Board). Candidates who qualify in the written test of the AFCAT 2026 are then called to appear in the AFSB which is a 5-day process. After the AFSB, aspirants then have to qualify for the medical test, post which they get commissioned into the AFCAT course.
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The AFCAT full form is the Air Force Common Admission Test. The full form of EKT is Engineering Knowledge Test, while that of IAF is Indian Air Force. AFSB stands for Air Force Selection Board.
As mentioned in the AFCAT notification, the selection process consists of three stages -
AFCAT written test
AFSB Interview/Personality Test
Medical Test
Important - Check the Complete List of Full Forms
Before filling the AFCAT 2026 application form, candidates are required to check the eligibility criteria as mentioned in the official notification. The AFCAT eligibility criteria consist of the nationality, academic qualification, age limit and physical requirements needed to fill the application form.
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IAF prescribes the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2026 in the official notification. According to the AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria, candidates must be citizens of India and those below 25 years should be unmarried. For flying branches through AFCAT and NCC, special entry candidates' age must be between 20 and 24 years old. There is upper age relaxation till 26 years for candidates having a valid and current commercial pilot licence issued by DGCA. Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch: Aspirants must be between 20 and 26 years old. The academic for flying branch candidates must be BE/B.Tech while that for non-technical branches must be graduated in a designated field.
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The Indian Air Force mentions the exam pattern in the official AFCAT notification. As per the exam pattern of AFCAT 2026, the first stage is conducted in online mode for 100 questions from General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Aptitude Test. There are 120 minutes to complete the test. There is also negative marking in the exam. The written test is followed by the AFSB.
The Indian Air Force prescribes the syllabus of AFCAT which contains all important topics and chapters from where the questions are asked in the exam. Candidates preparing for the AFCAT exam must follow the AFCAT syllabus along with the exam pattern. The syllabus is divided into four sections - English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability & Reasoning, and Military Aptitude Test.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The AFCAT full form is Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) exam.
Candidates who meet the minimum eligibility criteria can apply for the AFCAT exam.
The pay scale of AFCAT exam is Rs. 56,100 - Rs 1,77,500.
No, AFCAT cannot be applied after 12th. Candidates with a minimum graduation degree can only apply for it.
The AFCAT exam is held to recruit candidates for posts in the Flying branch as well as Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) in the Indian Air Force.
The Highest rank attainable by someone having cleared the AFCAT is that of an Air Chief Marshal.
On Question asked by student community
Yes, you will be eligible to appear for the AFCAT 2 2026 exam. However, you will only be eligible to appear for the Ground Duty and not the Flying Branch, as you are past the age limit for the flying branch requirements.
Hello,
You can refer to the article mentioned below regarding the career options after a Bachelor of Computer Applications
Career opportunities after BCA
For Flying Branch through AFCAT , B.Tech is not compulsory. You can apply with a BSc degree in Physics & Maths in 12th, or any graduation degree with a minimum of 60% marks.
Hey! Since your date of birth is 07 Nov 2006 and you will complete graduation in 2029, here’s how many chances you’ll get for CDS (INA, IMA, AFA) and AFCAT:
For CDS exams, the age limit is usually 19–24 years.
For AFCAT, Flying Branch requires 20–24 years and Ground Duty
If your date of birth is in October two thousand two and as of twenty fifth June two thousand twenty five you are about twenty two years and eight months old then you are within the age limit for AFCAT eligibility The eligibility criteria for the flying branch through AFCAT
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