AFCAT Exam 2026

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a premier national-level entrance examination conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to recruit officers for various branches. Below are the key highlights for the 2026 cycle:

• Exam Name: AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test)
• Conducting Body: Indian Air Force (IAF)
• Exam Frequency: Twice a year (AFCAT 1 and AFCAT 2)
• Exam Level: National
• Mode of Exam: Online (Computer Based Test)
• Branches: Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical)

Candidates planning to appear for the 2026 sessions should note the following tentative schedule:

AFCAT is the gateway for Indian citizens (men and women) to become Commissioned Officers in the Indian Air Force. It tests candidates on their general awareness, verbal ability, numerical ability, and reasoning. Successful candidates are called for the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview process.

The full form of AFCAT is the Air Force Common Admission Test. It is the standardized test used by the IAF to assess the aptitude of candidates for various officer-level roles in the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces.

Over the years, the AFCAT exam has evolved from a paper-based test to a highly secure Computer Based Test (CBT). While traditionally aimed at graduates, the term "UG" in this context often refers to the entry-level recruitment for those completing their undergraduate degrees. The Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) was previously a part of the technical branch entry but has recently been integrated or modified to streamline the selection process.

To be eligible for AFCAT 2026, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Nationality: Indian citizen.
• Age (Flying Branch): 20 to 24 years (as of Jan 1, 2027).
• Age (Ground Duty): 20 to 26 years (as of Jan 1, 2027).
• Educational Qualification: Minimum 60% marks in Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university.
• Subject Requirements: For most branches, Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level are mandatory.

The application process is entirely online. Steps include:

1. Visit the official portal afcat.cdac.in.
2. Register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
3. Fill in personal, educational, and contact details.
4. Upload scanned photograph, signature, and thumb impression.
5. Pay the application fee (approx. ₹550 for all candidates).
6. Submit and print the confirmation page.

The AFCAT question paper consists of the following subjects:

• General Awareness: History, Geography, Civics, Politics, Current Affairs, Environment, Basic Science, Defence, Art, Culture, Sports.
• Verbal Ability in English: Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion, Synonyms, Antonyms, Vocabulary.
• Numerical Ability: Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Simple Interest, Time & Distance.
• Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test: Verbal Skills and Spatial Ability.

The 2026 syllabus focuses on testing the mental caliber of the candidate. Key areas include:

• English: Proficiency in grammar and comprehension.
• General Knowledge: Focus on Indian history and current events of national and international importance.
• Maths: Standard 10th-level arithmetic.
• Aptitude: Pattern recognition and logical deduction.

The exam follows a specific pattern to ensure thorough screening:

• Number of Questions: 100
• Total Marks: 300
• Duration: 2 Hours (120 minutes)
• Marking Scheme: +3 for every correct answer; -1 for every incorrect answer (Negative Marking).
• Medium: English only.

The admission journey consists of four major stages:

• Stage 1: Online Written Examination.
• Stage 2: AFSB Interview (Screening, Psychological Tests, GTO, and Personal Interview).
• Stage 3: Medical Examination.
• Stage 4: Final Merit List based on written and interview marks.

Unlike civilian exams, AFCAT does not lead to admission in various universities. Instead, successful candidates are admitted into the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal. Upon completion of training, they are commissioned as officers in the Indian Air Force.

Results for AFCAT 2026 are typically declared 20-30 days after the exam. Candidates can check their individual scorecards and the qualifying status for the AFSB interview by logging into the official IAF portal using their credentials.

After the results are announced, shortlisted candidates must:

• Login to the portal to select an AFSB date and venue (Dehradun, Varanasi, Gandhinagar, or Mysuru).
• Download the AFSB Call Letter.
• Prepare documents for verification (Original certificates and photocopies).

The "counselling" in AFCAT is the AFSB Interview process. It lasts for 5-6 days and involves:

• Day 1: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and PPDT (Picture Perception & Discussion Test).
• Day 2-5: Psychological Tests, Group Test Obstacles (GTO), and Interview.
• Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS): Only for candidates applying for the Flying Branch.

The cut-off is the minimum score required to qualify for the next stage. Based on previous trends, the expected cut-off for AFCAT 2026 is:

• AFCAT Written Exam: 155 - 165 out of 300.

Factors affecting the cut-off include the difficulty level of the paper and the number of vacancies.

While the Indian Air Force conducts the exam via C-DAC, candidates can reach out for assistance here:

• Phone: 020-25503105 / 020-25503106
• Email: afcatcell@cdac.in
• Website: afcat.cdac.in
• Address: AFCAT Cell, Air Force Station, Race Course Road, New Delhi.