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AFCAT Exam 2026 - Complete Overview
The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a national-level competitive examination conducted by the Indian Air Force for candidates aspiring to join the force as commissioned officers in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.
Exam Date
31 Jan, 2026
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What is AFCAT Exam?
The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Indian Air Force for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Air Force in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.
It is one of the most prestigious defence examinations in India, offering graduates the opportunity to serve the nation as commissioned officers in a highly professional and technology-driven force.
AFCAT Latest Updates
- The AFCAT Notification 2026 has been released for courses commencing in January 2027 at afcat.edcil.co.in.
- The Indian Air Force has opened the AFCAT 1/2026 correction window from December 23 to 24, 2025, until 11:30 PM.
- A total of 340 vacancies have been announced for the post of Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches.
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- Latest Notifications
- Syllabus
- Eligiblity Criteria
- Previous Year Questions
Free Tools
- Age calculator
- Cut off Calculator
- Medical Fitness Check
- Counselling Sessions
Explore Courses:
It is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India.
AFCAT Online Course
Target AFCAT 2026-27
- 6-12 Months
- 1000+ Hours Recorded lectures with top defence exam faculty
- 40+ Online Mocks
- 4000+ Important Questions
AFCAT Offline Course
Target AFCAT 2026-27
- 6-12 Months
- AFCAT Coaching + SSB Training
- Prepare under top defence exam faculty
- Free e-learning platform
AFCAT Selection Proccess
The selection process for the AFCAT examination is conducted in multiple stages, and a candidate must qualify each stage separately to move forward. Final selection is based strictly on merit and medical fitness.
Stage 1: AFCAT Written Examination
- Candidates first appear for the AFCAT written examination conducted by the Indian Air Force.
- Selection for the next stage is based on written exam performance and the cut-off marks decided by the Indian Air Force.
Important: Only candidates who qualify the written exam are shortlisted for the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview.
Stage 2: SSB Interview
Conducted by the Air Force Services Selection Board
The ASSB Interview is conducted over 5 days and assesses a candidate’s Officer Like Qualities (OLQs).
SSB Stage I: Screening Test
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)
- Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT)
Candidates who fail Stage I are screened out and do not proceed further.
SSB Stage II: Psychological & Group Testing
Candidates who clear Stage I undergo the following:
Psychological Tests
- Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
- Word Association Test (WAT)
- Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
- Self-Description Test
Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
- Group discussions
- Outdoor group tasks
- Command task
- Lecturette
Personal Interview
- One-to-one interview with the Interviewing Officer
Conference
- Final assessment and recommendation decision
Stage 3: Medical
- Candidates recommended by SSB undergo a medical examination conducted by authorised military medical boards.
- Medical standards are strictly as per Armed Forces norms.
- Both temporary and permanent unfitness can lead to rejection.
There is no relaxation in medical standards.
Stage 4: Final Merit
The final merit list is prepared based on:
- Written examination marks
- ASSB Interview marks
(Medical fitness is mandatory for inclusion in the merit list.)
Allocation to the Flying Branch or Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches depends on:
- Merit rank
- Candidate preference
- Availability of vacancies
Candidates placed in the final merit list receive joining instructions from the Indian Air Force and must report to the Air Force Academy (Dundigal, Hyderabad) for training, subject to medical fitness and availability of vacancies.
AFCAT Syllabus
The AFCAT written examination syllabus is designed to test a candidate’s conceptual clarity, problem-solving ability, and general awareness up to Class 10–12 level.
Part A: General Awareness (100 Marks)
Physics
- Motion and laws of motion
- Work, energy, and power
- Heat and thermodynamics
- Sound and waves
- Electricity and magnetism
- Adverb
Chemistry
- Physical and chemical changes
- Elements, compounds, and mixtures
- Acids, bases, and salts
- Metals and non-metals
- Fuels and everyday chemistry
General Science
- Human body and nutrition
- Diseases and prevention
- Environment and ecology
History
- Ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history
- Indian freedom struggle
- Important historical movements
Geography
- Earth and its structure
- Climate and weather
- Indian geography
- Natural resources
Polity
- Indian Constitution
- Fundamental rights and duties
- Structure of government
Current Affairs
- National and international events
- Defence-related developments
- Sports, awards, and important appointments
Pro Tip: Click on any chapter above to access short, exam-focused notes.
Part A: English (200 Marks)
- Noun
- Pronoun
- Verb
- Tense
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Voice
- Narration
- Preposition
- Conjunction
- Articles
- Determiners
- Modals
- Adjective
- Adverb
Pro Tip: Click on any chapter above to access short, exam-focused notes.
Part C: Reasoning and Aptitude (100 Marks)
Pro Tip: Click on any chapter above to access short, exam-focused notes.
Part C: Mathematics (100 Marks)
Pro Tip: Click on any chapter above to access short, exam-focused notes.
AFCAT Result/Cut Off
The AFCAT cut-off is the minimum score required to qualify for the next stage of the selection process.
Written Exam Cut-Off
This is the minimum score required to qualify the AFCAT written examination.
It is calculated out of 300 marks:
AFCAT Written Exam: 300 marks
Candidates must:
- Secure the overall written cut-off, and
- Obtain the minimum qualifying marks in each paper separately.
Only candidates who clear the written cut-off are issued SSB call-up instructions.
Final Cut-Off
The final cut-off for AFCAT is calculated out of 600 marks:
- Written Examination: 300
AFSB Interview: 300
It determines:
- Final selection
- Merit rank
Branch allocation (Flying, Ground Duty Technical, Ground Duty Non-Technical)
Only candidates who clear the written cut-off are issued SSB call-up instructions.
Free Tools
- Age calculator
- Cut off Calculator
- Medical Fitness Check
- Counselling Sessions
Free Downloads
- Latest Notifications
- Syllabus
- Eligiblity Criteria
- Previous Year Questions