The full-form of AFCAT is Air Force Common Admission Test. It is a National Level Entrance Examination conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for admission into Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical Branch), Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch). Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted by Indian Air Force (IAF) every year in two sessions.
Candidates who aspire to qualify for the AFCAT Examination must perform well in the online examination, and the Air Force Selection Board Interview (AFSB). The candidates who are applying for the AFCAT Ground Duty Technical Branch must appear and clear both the online examination and the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).
The AFCAT 01/2022 application process will start on Dec 1, 2021. The last date to apply is Dec 30, 2021. The application form correction facility was open from Jan 19 to Jan 21, 2022. The admit card was released at 5:00 PM on Jan 28, 2022. The AFCAT Exam is conducted to recruit for the technical, non-technical, and flying branches of the Air Force.
Indian Air Force started as a tiny fleet with four Westland Wapiti army co-operative by-planes, six RAF trained officers, and 19 Hawai Sepoys. Today, it is the fourth largest Air Force in the world with a highly technical fighting force that safeguards our skies against enemy invasions.
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria need to be satisfied by the applicants, to be fit to appear for this exam. Criteria of AFCAT 2022 Eligibility vary for different posts, which are as follows:
Age Limit
Candidates applying for the Flying Branch would be taken through AFCAT and NCC Special Entry:
The candidate's age should be from 20 to 24 years as on July 1, 2022, i.e. he/she should be born between July 2, 1996, to July 1, 2001, with both dates inclusive. The upper age limit for candidates which hold a valid and currently active Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) can be relaxed up to 26 years i.e. candidate should have been born in between July 2, 1995 and July 1, 2001 with both dates inclusive.
Education Qualification
To be eligible for AFCAT 2022, candidates should have qualified 10+2 with a minimum of 60% marks each in Maths and Physics. Along with that, he/she should also have a Graduation Degree done for a period of a minimum of three years in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks from a recognized University in India or equivalent. OR.
Candidate should possess B.E./B.Tech degree (4-year's course) with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent from a recognized University in India. OR.
Also, the candidates qualifying the Section A & B of the exam conducted by Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers, India or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University in India with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
Age Limit
For Technical branches in Ground Duty, a candidate's age should lie in between 20 to 26 years as completed on Jul 1, 2022 i.e. he/she should have been born in between July 2, 1995 to July 1, 2001, with both dates standing inclusive.
For Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) [AE (L)]
To sit for AFCAT 2022, a candidate should have qualified 10+2 with a minimum of 60% aggregate each in Physics and Mathematics. Also along with that, he/she should possess a Graduation or Integrated Post Graduation degree done for a period of a minimum of four years in Engineering/Technology from recognized University in India. OR
He/she should have cleared Sections A and B of the examination conducted by Aeronautical Society of India or Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers, India. OR
A candidate should have cleared the Graduate membership examination with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent, which is conducted by Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies 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.
For Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) [AE (M)]
A candidate who has qualified 10+2 with a minimum of 60% marks each in Physics and Mathematics. Also along with it, he/she should possess a Graduation or a Post Graduation Degree pursued for a minimum four years Engineering/Technology from recognized University in India. OR.
A candidate who has cleared Sections A & B exam of Aeronautical Society of India or Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) by actual studies obtaining a minimum of 60% aggregate or equivalent in the following disciplines:
Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Mechanical Engineering (Production), Mechanical Engineering (Repair and Maintenance), Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering.
Age Limit
For Technical branches in Ground Duty, a candidate's age should lie in between 20 to 26 years as completed on July 1, 2022, i.e. he/she should have been born between July 2, 1995, to July 1, 2001, with both dates standing inclusive.
For Administration
Candidate should possess a Graduate Degree with a minimum of 60% marks in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent or 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.
For Education
A candidate should possess an MBA/MCA or MA/M.Sc degree in English/Physics/Mathematics/Chemistry/Statistics/International Studies/Management/International Relations/Defence Studies/Psychology/Computer Science/IT/Mass Communication/Journalism/Public Relations with a minimum of 50% aggregate in of all papers put together in Post-Graduation (Minimum two years programme) and 60% marks in graduation (both recognized by UGC/ Competent Accreditation Authority in India).
For integrated courses (single degree without permission to exit and lateral entry), minimum duration to pursue must be as per existing UGC guidelines with a minimum of 50% aggregate in all papers put together.
A candidate should have earned NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate on or after Jun 2, 2017. Applying candidates should have qualified 10+2 with a minimum of 60% marks each in Maths and Physics. A candidate should possess a Graduation Degree completed with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent with a minimum of three years duration in any discipline from a recognized University in India. OR
A candidate should have completed B.E./B.Tech degree (4-year course) with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent from a recognized University of India. OR
A candidate who has cleared Section A & B exam of Aeronautical Society of India or Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers, India with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent from a recognized University in India.
A candidate should have a PG 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 minimum of 50% aggregate in all papers put together given Physics and Maths were studied in Graduation with a minimum of 55% aggregate in each).
Note: AFCAT II 2022 has announced a total number of 256 vacancies. Out of the CDSE vacancies a 10% seats are for PC and out of the vacancies for SSC a 10% will be for the NCC Special Entry Flying Branch.
The candidates are advised to be physically fit when arriving on the day of the SSB physical tests in the AFSB. They are required to be capable of running 1.6 kms in 10 minutes and perform 10 pushups, along with 3 chin ups. Physical fitness is important in order to endure and adapt to the various physical training in the Air Force Academy. The training comprises running, swimming, rope climbing and other physical tests that the candidates should undergo.
The AFCAT 2022 Application Process includes the following -
Syllabus for AFCAT 2022 has been released by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) in Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical Branch), Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch). Go through AFCAT 2022 Syllabus to plan your preparation well. It covers the following sections:
The EKT Syllabus or the syllabus for candidates who opt for Ground Duty (Technical) Branch must prepare from all three sections namely Computer science engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical & Electronics Engineering. The following are the topics for each of the sections-
The AFCAT 2022 selection process will begin after the declaration of the result. After candidates are able to qualify the AFCAT 2022 Exam, they will be called for the Testing (Stage I and Stage II).
Stage I Testing involves the following tests:
Stage-I is a screening test. Candidates qualifying this stage will move on to appear for Stage-II Testing. The candidates not qualifying will be routed back after the announcements of results.
AFCAT Stage-II testing will be done for the next 4-5 days. Only for Flying Batch, there will be a CPSS (Computerized Pilot Selection System) Testing on the fifth day. Psychological Test, Group Test, and Interviews will be conducted in this stage.
If a candidate gets recommended by the Selection Board, he/she will be sent for the medical examination either at Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), New Delhi or Institute of Aviation Medicine, Bengaluru.
All India Merit List will be prepared on the basis of your performance in the written test, AFSB Interview, and medical fitness. Based on the vacancies in the branches/sub-branches, you will be given the instructions for your joining.
After the candidates are deemed fit to join the Indian Air Force and they have received the directions from the officials, they will have to do to the respective branches for the joining.
