AFCAT 2025: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Career Prospects
The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Indian Air Force to select officers for various branches, including the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical).
The exam is held twice a year (AFCAT 01 and AFCAT 02) and is open to both male and female candidates who meet the eligibility criteria. Tentatively, the AFCAT 1 2025 exam is scheduled for February 2025, while the AFCAT 2 2025 exam will take place in August 2025.
AFCAT Eligibility
The candidate must be a citizen of India.
Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years.
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years.
Flying Branch:
- Minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level.
- Graduation (minimum 3 years degree course) in any discipline with at least 60% marks.
- OR BE/B Tech (4 years) with at least 60% marks.
Ground Duty (Technical):
- Minimum of 50% marks each in Physics and Maths at 10+2 level.
- Four-year degree in Engineering/Technology.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical):
- Graduation in any discipline with at least 60% marks.
AFCAT Exam Structure
|
Types of questions |
Mode of exam |
Duration of exam |
|
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Computer Based Test (CBT) |
2 hours |
AFCAT Exam Syllabus & Marking Pattern
|
Subject |
Syllabus |
Number of questions |
Total Marks |
|
General Awareness |
History, Geography, Sports, National & International Organisations, Art & Culture, Personalities, Environment & Ecology, Indian Polity, Economy, Basic Science Knowledge, Science & Technology, Current Affairs (National & International), and Defence. |
100 questions (+3 for each correct answer, -1 for each incorrect answer) |
300 marks |
|
Verbal Ability (English) |
Comprehension, Detecting Errors in Sentences, Sentence Completion/ Filling in of correct words, Synonym/ Antonym, Cloze Test or Fill in the Gaps in a paragraph, Idioms and Phrases, Analogy, Sentence Rearranging, Substitution in a Sentence/ One Word Substitution |
||
|
Numerical Ability |
Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average/ Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Time & Distance and Races (Trains/ Boats & Streams), Area and Perimeter, Probability, Number System & Number Series, Mixture & Alligation Rules, Clocks |
||
|
Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test |
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Salary & Career Prospects On Course Completion
The salary of successful candidates who join the Indian Air Force includes several components such as basic pay, allowances, and other benefits. Here's a detailed breakdown of the salary and benefits for officers in different branches of the Indian Air Force:
Flying Branch
Rank on Commissioning: Flying Officer
Basic Pay: INR 56,100 per month (Level 10 in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix)
Military Service Pay (MSP): INR 15,500 per month
Flying Allowance: INR 25,000 per month
Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches:
Rank on Commissioning: Flying Officer
Basic Pay: INR 56,100 per month (Level 10 in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix)
Military Service Pay (MSP): INR 15,500 per month
Technical Allowance: INR 5,500 - INR 17,500 per month (for technical officers)
Total Monthly Salary (approximate):
Flying Branch: INR 96,100 (basic pay + MSP + flying allowance)
Technical Branch: INR 77,100 (basic pay + MSP + minimum technical allowance)
Non-Technical Branch: INR 71,600 (basic pay + MSP)
Promotions
Promotions in the Indian Air Force are based on time scale and selection, subject to the vacancies available. Here are the time scales for promotion:
Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant: 2 years
Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader: 6 years
Squadron Leader to Wing Commander: 13 years
Wing Commander to Group Captain: 26 years (selection)
Group Captain to Air Commodore: Selection
Air Commodore to Air Vice Marshal: Selection
Air Vice Marshal to Air Marshal: Selection