What is AFCAT?
The AFCAT is the entrance exam for commissioning into the Indian Air Force as officers in the Flying, Technical, and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. It is conducted twice a year (usually in February and August/September).
Check Eligibility:
Before applying, ensure you meet the basic criteria:
Flying Branch
- Age: 20–24 years (relaxable up to 26 for those with a Commercial Pilot Licence).
- Qualification: 60% marks in Graduation with Physics & Maths at 10+2 OR BE/BTech.
- Height/Medical standards as per IAF norms.
Ground Duty (Technical)
- Age: 20–26 years.
- Qualification: Engineering degree (4 years) in relevant branches.
- Must clear EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) along with AFCAT.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical)
- Age: 20–26 years.
- Graduation with 60% marks in any discipline (different criteria for Admin, Accounts, Education, Meteorology, etc.).
The Selection Process:
The entire process can be broken down into four main stages:
Stage 1: Clearing the AFCAT Written Exam
This is the first and most important filter.
1. Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus:
- Sections: The written exam has four sections:
- General Awareness: Current affairs, history, geography, politics, defense, sports, etc.
- Verbal Ability in English: Comprehension, Error Detection, Synonyms/Antonyms, Idioms, Fill in the blanks, Sentence Completion.
- Numerical Ability: Basic math - Profit & Loss, Ratio, Average, Time & Work, Speed & Distance, Simple Interest, etc.
- Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test: Verbal and non-verbal reasoning, spatial ability.
- Marking Scheme: +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect. No marks for unattempted questions.
- EKT (For Technical Branch Only): If you apply for the Technical branch, you must also take the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) right after the AFCAT. It tests core engineering knowledge.
2. Create a Smart Study Plan:
- Know the Syllabus: Get the detailed syllabus from the official AFCAT notification and stick to it.
- Focus on Basics: Strengthen your basics in Maths and English. These are high-scoring sections.
- Current Affairs is Key: Dedicate at least 45-60 minutes daily to reading newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and a monthly current affairs magazine. Focus on defense-related news, especially about the Indian Air Force.
- Practice Reasoning: Practice puzzles, coding-decoding, and sequence questions regularly.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice:
- Previous Year Papers: Solve at least the last 5 years’ papers to understand the question pattern, difficulty level, and important topics.
- Mock Tests: This is non-negotiable. Take full-length mock tests every weekend. This will:
- Improve your speed and accuracy.
- Help you manage time during the actual exam.
- Identify your weak areas.
4. Exam Day Strategy:
- Time Management: Allocate time wisely. Don’t spend too long on a single question.
- Attempt Wisely: Because of negative marking, avoid blind guessing. Only attempt a question if you can eliminate at least one or two options.
- Prioritize Sections: Start with your strongest section to build confidence and secure quick marks.
Stage 2: Clearing the AFSB Interview
If you clear the written exam, you will be called for the AFSB interview at one of the centers (Dehradun, Varanasi, or Mysore). This is a 5-day process designed to assess your Officer Like Qualities (OLQs).
The 5-Day Process Tests You On:
Day 1: Screening Test
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test: Verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests.
- Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PP&DT): You will be shown a hazy picture for 30 seconds, write a story based on it, discuss it in a group, and arrive at a common story.
- Result: Those who pass screening test proceed to the next 4 days.
Day 2 & 3: Psychological Tests
- Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): Write stories based on ambiguous pictures.
- Word Association Test (WAT): Write a sentence based on a word shown for 15 seconds.
- Situation Reaction Test (SRT): Write your reactions to 60 tricky everyday situations.
- Self-Description Test (SD): Describe yourself from the perspective of your parents, friends, teachers, etc.
Day 3 & 4: Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
- Group Discussions (GD): On current topics.
- Group Planning Exercise (GPE): A practical military-oriented problem to solve as a group.
- Progressive Group Tasks (PGT): Outdoor obstacles that the group must cross using equipment.
- Half Group Tasks, Individual Obstacles, Command Task, Lecturette, Final Group Task.
Day 5: Personal Interview
- A one-on-one interview with an president of the board that can last from 30 minutes to over an hour. They will ask about your background, education, hobbies, current affairs, and why you want to join the Air Force.
How to Prepare for AFSB:
- Know Yourself: Be prepared to talk about your strengths, weaknesses, and life experiences honestly.
- Stay Updated: Be thorough with current national and international affairs, especially defense.
- Practice Communication: Work on speaking clearly and confidently in group discussions. The key is to be a team player, not a dominant speaker.
- Be a Leader: All tasks are designed to see if you have initiative, cooperation, and problem-solving skills.
- Be Physically Fit: The GTO tasks require a basic level of fitness. Practice running and pull-ups.
Stage 3: Clearing the Medical Examination
Candidates who clear the AFSB have to undergo a rigorous medical examination by a Board of IAF Doctors.
- Standards are High: The medical standards, especially for the Flying branch, are very strict (e.g., 6/6 eyesight, no color blindness).
- Know the Standards: Check the detailed medical requirements in the official notification to see if you have any obvious disqualifications.
- Be Honest: Do not hide any pre-existing conditions.
Stage 4: The Final Merit List
Your final selection is based on a combination of:
- Your performance in the AFCAT written exam.
- Your performance at the AFSB.
- Your performance in the EKT (if applicable).
The IAF prepares a combined merit list. Depending on your rank on the list and the number of vacancies, you will receive an offer to join the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal for training.
