AFCAT Exam 2024 : Comprehensive Guide
Air Force Common Entrance Examinations or AFCAT Exams are administered twice a year by the Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force conducts these exams twice a year to recruit candidates for Short Service Commission (SSC) positions in the Ground Service (technical and non-technical) branches and Short Service Commission (SSC) positions in the Flying Branch and Permanent Commission (PC) respectively.
The IAF also invites candidates to issue PC/SSCs for the NCC Special Entry Scheme (Flying Branch) and Meteorological Entry. These jobs are highly sought after by many in the Indian Air Force and are a dream career for millions of job seekers across India. All details concerning the AFCAT Exam are drawn from the notification of the previous year’s examination. For the most recent AFCAT Exams Recruitment notification, syllabus, and exam pattern, please refer to our latest jobs notification page.
AFCAT Exam 2023
The AFCAT Exam is broken up into three different stages: the Written Examination, the AFSB, and the Interview round. If passing the AFCAT Exam is something you want to do, you should familiarise yourself with the most recent information on the selection process, exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility requirements, and previous year’s cut-off, among other things.
Once the notice is up, interested parties may use the URL provided below to submit their applications for the position. Candidates may apply for vacancies as Class-Gazetted Officers in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) and Flying Branch by clicking on https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/
AFCAT Exam 2023: Summary
Name of Exam | Air Force Common Admission Test (2023) |
Conducting Body | Indian Air Force |
Periodicity | Twice a year |
Exam Level | National |
Mode of Application | Online |
Mode of Exam | Online (CBT) |
Exam Rounds | 3 Stages (Written + AFSB + DV) |
Exam Dates | Written Test: 24th, 25th & 26th February 2023
AFSB: —– |
Expected Candidates | 2 lakhs approx. |
Available Seats | 258 |
Job Location | Across India |
Official Website | https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/ |
AFCAT 1 2023 Notification Date | 27th November 2022 |
AFCAT 2023: Exam Date
On November 27th, the Indian Air Force made the AFCAT formal announcement available to the public. In addition to the announcement, more information on the examination, including its scheduled date, the total number of positions available, and the closing time for applications, will also be made public.
The schedule for the AFCAT 1 2023 Exam may be seen below.
AFCAT 1 2023 | Dates |
AFCAT 1 2023 Notification | 27th November |
Online Application Starts | 1st December |
Last Date to Apply | 30th December |
Admit Card | February |
AFCAT Written Examination | 24th, 25th & 26th February |
Result of Online Examination | To Be Announced |
AFSB Call Letters | To Be Announced |
AFSB and Interview Round | To Be Announced |
Document Verification | To Be Announced |
Final Merit List Declared | To Be Announced |
AFCAT 2023: Application Form
The first of December marked the beginning of online registration for the AFCAT 1 2023 examination. The official notification will contain all relevant information, such as how to fill out the form, the application process, and eligibility requirements, among other things.
Before beginning to fill out the online form, potential candidates are strongly encouraged to carefully read the announcement.
AFCAT 2023: Application Fee
Students should consult the official announcement for the most up-to-date information on the AFCAT application fee, which has been rather constant over the previous several years but may be subject to change.
Once a fee or intimation has been paid, there is NO REFUND and it CANNOT be used for another round of testing or another choice.
You need to make an online payment of the application fee. Examination fees for the AFCAT are Rs. 250/- (non-refundable) for those who apply to take the test. Candidates enrolling in Meteorology or NCC Special Entry, however, are exempt from this fee.
AFCAT 2023: Type of Commission
- The Short Service Commission, is open to both men and women.
- The engagement time for SSC Officers in the Flying Branch (including men and women) is fourteen years, starting from the day they were commissioned.
- The initial term of office for Ground Duty SSC Officers, including Technical and Non-Technical, would be for a period of 10 years. It is possible to get an additional four years of service if you meet the necessary qualifications, there are openings available, you are willing, suitable, and have merit.
- The granting of a Permanent Commission (PC) (at a later date) would be subject to consideration based on service requirements, the availability of vacancies, the applicant’s willingness, their eligibility, their merit, and the rules that are now in place on the topic.
- Officers of the SSC do not qualify for the provision of a pension.
AFCAT 2023: Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for the AFCAT 1 2023 Exam, the applicant must demonstrate that they meet both of the following criteria:
- (a) A candidate must be a citizen of India in accordance with the Indian Citizenship Act of 1955 in order to be considered for this position.
- (b)Age requirements for the Flying Branch as of January 1, 2024 are 20 to 24 years old, or those born between January 2, 2000 and January 1, 2004. (both dates inclusive). The maximum age restriction for applicants who have a valid and current Commercial Pilot License granted by DGCA (India) may be relaxed up to 26 years, which means that they must have been born between January 2, 1998 and January 1, 2004. (both dates inclusive).
- Branches of Ground Duty that are either Technical or Non-Technical. 20 to 26 years old as of January 1, 2024; that is, born between January 2, 1998, and January 1, 2004 (both dates inclusive).
Educational Qualifications:
Branch | Sub-Branch | Educational Qualification |
Ground Duty Technical Branch | Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) | At the 10+2 level, you need to have a minimum of 50 percent in both physics and mathematics, and you also need to have a degree in engineering and technology from a university that is at least four years long, either a graduation/integrated degree or a post-graduation degree.
OR OR Applicants who have earned associate membership in the Institution of Engineers (India) and have scored at least 60% in certain fields required by the IAF on the A and B parts of the corresponding examinations. |
Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) | At the 10+2 level, you need to have a minimum of 50 percent in both physics and mathematics, and you also need to have a degree in engineering and technology from a reputable institution, either at the undergraduate or graduate level.
OR OR Candidates who have completed the Institution of Engineers (India) associate membership exam in both the A and B parts with at least 60% in certain fields, as stipulated by the IAF. |
|
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches | Administration | A graduate degree with a minimum of 60 percent of possible points earned during the course of a three-year degree program from an accredited institution
OR should have completed section A & B test with a minimum of 60 percent of possible points. |
Weapon System Branch |
OR a Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Technology from an authorised four-year program with a minimum GPA of 60% (or the foreign equivalent). |
Who Cannot Apply?
Note 1: In order to be eligible to apply for these courses, prospective students must first have completed their secondary education according to the 10+2 grading system.
Note 2: In the Ground duty (NonTech) branches, there is a quota of one seat that is set up for law-qualified applicants. These individuals have the potential to work in legal capacities for the Indian Air Force (after commissioning).
Note 3: In the event that the candidates are given grades or a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) instead of marks, the conversion of grades or a CGPA to a percentage of marks will be based on the technique that has been approved by the university from where they have acquired their degree. If the university does not have a method for translating CGPAs to percentages, then the CGPA will be changed to a scale with 10 points, and then that number will be multiplied by 10 to produce the comparable percentage.
Note 4: Candidates who are currently enrolled in the final year or semester of a degree program and have not yet passed the final year degree examination are also eligible to apply. However, the candidate must not be behind in any of their coursework at the time of application submission and must have earned a minimum of 60 percent of possible points in the most recent semester or year for which results have been released. They are required to submit proof that they passed the Degree Examination by November 30, 23. Late conduct of the basic qualifying University Examination, delay in the release of results, or any other basis whatsoever shall not be accepted as a justification for extending this deadline. They have till that time to provide documentation that they passed the Degree Exam.
Note 5: Anyone who has previously failed the Air Force’s Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) or who has been removed from the Air Force Academy’s Flight Cadet program is unable to apply for employment in the Flying Branch.
Individuals who have previously been accepted to a course at the National Defense Academy, the Indian Military Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Indian Naval Academy, the Officers’ Training Academy in Chennai, or the Officer’s Training Academy in Gaya but have since been expelled for insubordination are not eligible to apply for this position.
If a candidate is barred from holding a commission in the Defense Services by the Ministry of Defense, they are not eligible to take the AFCAT and will have their candidacy revoked regardless of their score.
Individuals who have previously been found guilty of criminal charges or who are now involved in an ongoing criminal proceeding are ineligible to qualify for this position.
AFCAT 2023: No. of Vacancies
When it comes to government notifications, vacancy is one of the most significant factors to consider. Along with the announcement for AFCAT, the IAF will also publish the total number of open positions in all of its branches.
This time around, a total of 258 open positions will be advertised. Let’s take a look at the AFCAT 1 2023 job openings broken down by field.
Entry | Branch | Vacancies | |
Men | Women | ||
AFCAT
Entry |
Flying Branch | SSC- 05 | SSC-05 |
Ground Duty (Technical) | AE(L) : 87
AE(M): 30 |
AE(L) : 10
AE(M): 03 |
|
Ground Duty (Non -Technical) | Weapon Systems
(WS) Branch: 15 Admin: 43 LGS: 19 Accts: 11 Edn: 08 Met: 07 |
Weapon Systems
(WS) Branch : 02 Admin : 05 LGS : 02 Accts : 02 Edn : 02 Met : 02 |
|
NCC
Special Entry |
Flying | 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies
for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC |
AFCAT 2023: Pay Structure
The most recent notice states that the starting salary for a Flying Officer is Rs. 56,100. The 7th Pay Commission recommended the following revisions to the AFCAT wage structure, which are included below.
Rank | Level | (Pay in Rs.) |
Flying Officer | Level 10 | 56,100 – 1,77,500 |
Flight Lieutenant | Level 10 B | 6,13,00-1,93,900 |
Squadron Leader | Level 11 | 6,94,00 – 2,07,200 |
Wing Commander | Level 12A | 1,21,200 – 2,12400 |
Group Captain | Level 13 | 1,30,600-2, 15,900 |
Air Commodore | Level 13A | 1,39,600-2,17,600 |
Air Vice Marshal | Level 14 | 1,44,200-2,18,200 |
Air Marshal HAG Scale | Level 15 | 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
HAG+Scale | Level 16 | 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
VACS/Airforce Cdr/ Air Marshal (NFSG) | Level 17 | 2,25,000/-(fixed) |
CAS | Level 18 | 2,50,000/-(fixed) |
In addition to their base salary, newly commissioned officers in the Flying and Technical Branches may be eligible for the allowances listed below.
- Officers in the Flying Branch get a flying allowance of Rs 11250 per month.
- Officers in the Technical Branch would get a technical allowance of Rs. 2500 per month.
AFCAT 2023: Selection Procedure
Candidates who are interested in joining the Indian Air Force by taking the AFCAT Exam are required to check out this page for the whole selection process. The AFCAT Exam is broken down into three distinct phases. –
- Written Exam
- AFSB Interview
- Document Verification
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The application fee for the AFCAT 1 2023 test is Rs. 250. This amount applies to all categories. Candidates who want to register for NCC special entry or meteorology are exempt from having to pay the registration fee.
In the Air Force, AFCAT stands for the Air Force Common Admissions Test. The AFCAT test, which is used for recruiting Gazetted Officers, is given twice a year by the Indian Air Force. This test has the reputation of being the most difficult and prestigious of all defence category tests.
Yes, the AFCAT EXAM is conducted by the Air Force twice a year, in February and August
You may take the test as late as you’re 25 years old for the ground duty (both technical and non-technical) branch, giving you a total of 10 chances between the ages of 20 and 25 to be hired.