AFCAT: syllabus, exam pattern & eligibility

Air Force Common Admission Test. Officer entry (Flying, Ground Duty Technical/Non-Technical) in IAF

Category

Civil Services & Defence

Conducted by

Indian Air Force

Level

Recruitment (graduate)

Frequency

Twice a year (AFCAT 1 Feb, AFCAT 2 Aug/Sep)

Mode

CBT

Languages

English

Eligibility

• Education: Degree/B.E. (branch dependent)
• Age: 20-24 (Flying), 20-26 (Ground; verify)

Exam pattern

AFCAT

120 min · 100 questions · 300 marks

• Verbal Ability in English: 25 questions, 75 marks
• Numerical Ability: 18 questions, 54 marks
• Reasoning & Military Aptitude: 32 questions, 96 marks
• General Awareness: 25 questions, 75 marks

EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test; technical branches)

45 min · 50 questions · 150 marks

Syllabus

Verbal

Comprehension, error detection, synonyms

Numerical

Arithmetic (class 10 level)

Reasoning & Military Aptitude

Verbal/non-verbal reasoning, Spatial ability

General Awareness

History, geography, polity, science, defence

Important dates (AFCAT 1 2026 (done); AFCAT 1 2027 expected)

• AFCAT 1 2027 notification (expected): 2026-11
• AFCAT 1 2027 exam (expected): 2027-01 late

Selection process

Online test -> AFSB -> medical -> merit

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Frequently asked questions

What is AFCAT?

AFCAT stands for Air Force Common Admission Test. Officer entry (Flying, Ground Duty Technical/Non-Technical) in IAF. It is conducted by Indian Air Force. Level: Recruitment (graduate).

Who is eligible for AFCAT?

Education: Degree/B.E. (branch dependent). Age limit: 20-24 (Flying), 20-26 (Ground; verify).

What is the exam pattern of AFCAT?

AFCAT: 120 minutes, 100 questions, 300 marks. EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test; technical branches): 45 minutes, 50 questions, 150 marks. Mode: CBT.

How often is AFCAT held?

Twice a year (AFCAT 1 Feb, AFCAT 2 Aug/Sep).

When is AFCAT held?

AFCAT 1 2026 (done); AFCAT 1 2027 expected cycle: AFCAT 1 2027 notification (expected) 2026-11; AFCAT 1 2027 exam (expected) 2027-01 late.

How are candidates selected through AFCAT?

Online test -> AFSB -> medical -> merit.

Compiled from public sources, last checked 2026-09-25. Dates, fees and rules change, so confirm with the official website before you apply.