What is the difference between NDA and AFCAT?

The full form of AFCAT is Air Force Common Admission Test whereas the full form of NDA is National Defence Academy. Both exams are the sought-after defence entrance exams in the country. NDA exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Courses. AFCAT exam is conducted to select candidates as Class 1 gazetted Officers in the flying branch and ground duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. NDA exam is conducted after Class 12 whereas AFCAT is conducted after graduation. The selection process of AFCAT comprises online test and AFSB interview. NDA selection process comprises written exam and SSB interview. Candidates after clearing NDA exam are required to first undergo training at the National Defence Academy after which they are sent to the respective defence academies as per their preferences for further training. Through AFCAT exam candidates are directly inducted into the Indian Air Force. There is also a difference in the exam pattern and syllabus of NDA and AFCAT. NDA exam pattern is such that it is divided into two papers-Maths and GAT. NDA exam is conducted offline and carries 900 marks. AFCAT exam pattern is such that it comprises several sections such as General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English Numerical Ability, Military Reasoning, and Aptitude test. Additionally, candidates who opt for the technical branch in AFCAT are required to appear for Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). The total marks allotted to the AFCAT test are 300 whereas EKT 150 marks.

When will AFCAT application form be available for correction?

Yes, IAF provides the facility to edit the details entered in the AFCAT application form. The online correction window remains open for a specified time period. Candidates can use the correction window to edit details such as name, father's name, mother's name, photograph, signature, and thumb impression image. No extra fee is charged to edit the details in the application form. After the closure of the edit window, candidates are not allowed to make any changes in the application form. Therefore, candidates are advised to fill the application form correctly. The admit card is issued to candidates who submits the application form correctly. The correction in the application form can be done online only.

When will AFCAT 1 2025 notification be released?

AFCAT 1 2025 notification was released on December 2, 2024. The short notification was released on November 22, 2024. The notification was released in PDF form and comprises the details related to the exam. It is important to read the notification before applying for the exam.

In how many shifts AFCAT exam is conducted?

AFCAT exam is conducted in two shifts. The exam for the first shift is conducted from 9.45 am to 11.45 am. While the exam for the second shift is conducted from 2.15 pm to 4.15 pm. The details regarding the shifts are mentioned on the admit card. Candidates need to reach the exam centre as per the reporting time mentioned on the admit card. Candidates need to carry the following documents to the exam centre along with the admit card: PAN card Passport Driving License Voter Identity Card College Identity Card (or any other valid photo identity proof that mentions - name, father's name, date of birth, and a clear photograph). Candidates are not allowed to carry Textual material, Calculators, Docupen, Slide rulers and log tables, Electronic watches, Mobile phones, Bluetooth, pager or any other electronic items to the exam centre.

What is the time duration of AFCAT exam?

AFCAT exam is conducted for two hours whereas EKT is held for 45 minutes. There is no sectional time limit in AFCAT exam. The candidates are allowed to leave the examination hall after the completion of the exam. AFCAT exam is conducted in two shifts. Shift 1 exam is conducted from 9.45 am to 11.45 am whereas Shift 2 is held from 2.15 pm to 4.15 pm. Candidates need to answer 100 questions in AFCAT exam within two hours. Candidates can divide time among the sections according to their convenience. Candidates can learn time management by practicing previous years' question papers and mock tests. The total marks allotted to AFCAT exam are 100.

When AFCAT admit card is released?

AFCAT admit card is released one week before the exam. Candidates can download their admit cards by entering the required login details. The hard copy of the admit card is not sent to candidates by post. AFCAT admit card comprises details such as candidate's name, roll number, reporting time, exam day guidelines, scanned photograph and signature, exam centre details. Candidates need to take the printed copy of their admit card along with one photo-identity proof to the exam centre. Along with the admit card, candidates must bring two photographs inorder to paste in the admit card. The steps to download AFCAT admit card are given below: Visit the official website Click the AFCAT admit card link on the home page In the login page, candidates need to enter email ID, password and captcha code AFCAT admit card appears on the screen Download the admit card and take its printout

When AFCAT admit card 2025 was released?

AFCAT 2 admit card 2025 was released on August 19, 2025. Candidates can download their admit cards online by logging with the required credentials. The hard copy of the admit card is not sent to candidates by post. The admit card is an important document without which candidates are not allowed to appear for the exam. Candidates need to carry the printed copy of their admit cards along with one photo-identity proof to the exam centre.

What is the difference between NDA and AFCAT?

The full form of AFCAT is Air Force Common Admission Test whereas the full form of NDA is National Defence Academy. Both exams are the sought-after defence entrance exams in the country. NDA exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Courses. AFCAT exam is conducted to select candidates as Class 1 gazetted Officers in the flying branch and ground duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. NDA exam is conducted after Class 12 whereas AFCAT is conducted after graduation. The selection process of AFCAT comprises online test and AFSB interview. NDA selection process comprises written exam and SSB interview. Candidates after clearing NDA exam are required to first undergo training at the National Defence Academy after which they are sent to the respective defence academies as per their preferences for further training. Through AFCAT exam candidates are directly inducted into the Indian Air Force. There is also a difference in the exam pattern and syllabus of NDA and AFCAT. NDA exam pattern is such that it is divided into two papers-Maths and GAT. NDA exam is conducted offline and carries 900 marks. AFCAT exam pattern is such that it comprises several sections such as General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English Numerical Ability, Military Reasoning, and Aptitude test. Additionally, candidates who opt for the technical branch in AFCAT are required to appear for Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). The total marks allotted to the AFCAT test are 300 whereas EKT 150 marks.

AFCAT Exam Date 2025: Complete AFCAT 2 Exam Schedule

Q: How many AFCAT 2 vacancies 2025 have been announced?

A total of 284 Vacancies were announced for AFCAT 2 exam. The vacancy break-up is given below. Entry Branch Course Number Vacancies (Men) (SSC) Vacancies (Women) AFCAT Entry Flying 220/26F/SSC/M & W 01 02 Ground-Duty (Technical) 219/26T/SSC/ 109AEC/ M & W AE (L): 85 AE (M): 38 AE (L): 23 AE (M): 10 Ground-Duty (Non-Technical) 219/26G/SSC/M & W Weapon System (WS) Branch: 19 Admin: 46 Accts: 09 Lgs: 11 Edn: 07 Met: 06 Weapon System (WS) Branch: 05 Admin: 12 Accts: 02 Lgs: 04 Edn: 02 Met: 02 NCC Special Entry Flying 220/26F/PC/M and 220/26F/SSC/M&W 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC.

Q: When AFCAT 2 application form 2025 was released?

AFCAT 2 application form 2025 was released on June 2, 2025. The last date to fill the application form was July 1, 2025. The application form was released online. The application fee is INR 250 across all categories. Candidates need to complete all the steps of registration successfully or else their applications will get rejected. The admit card is issued to candidates whose applications are accepted by the examination authority.

Q: What is AFCAT Exam Pattern?

AFCAT exam pattern highlights the overall structure of the exam such as number of sections, weightage of topics, time duration, total marks, marking scheme, etc. AFCAT exam is divided into online test and AFSB interview. Besides AFCAT candidates who applies for the technical branch are required to appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). AFCAT test comprises different sections such as General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English . Numerical Ability, Military Reasoning, and Aptitude test. EKT carries questions from Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical & Electronics. AFCAT carries a total of 100 questions whereas, EKT carries 50 questions. The total marks allotted to AFCAT are 300 whereas, EKT carries 150 marks. The duration of AFCAT exam is two hours whereas EKT is held for 45 minutes. Both AFCAT and EKT is held in online mode and the language of the question paper is English.

561 Students Q&A

Updated on Sep 16, 2025 18:30 IST

By Anangsha Patra, Deputy Manager – Editorial

AFCAT Exam Date 2025: The Indian Air Force (IAF) announced AFCAT 2 2025 result on September 16, 2025. Along with the result, AFCAT 2 cut off was also released. Selected candidates will appear for AFSB interview.

The window to fill the application form of AFCAT 2 2025 exam closed on July 1, 2025. The detailed AFCAT 2 notification was released on June 2, 2025. The short notification for AFCAT 2 was released on May 27, 2025.

AFCAT dates highlight important events about the exam, such as the release of the application form, the issue of the admit card, and the declaration of the result. Candidates should keep an eye on the dates so that they do not miss any events. Check below for the important events of AFCAT.

Q: How many AFCAT 2 vacancies 2025 have been announced?

Q: When AFCAT 2 application form 2025 was released?

Q: What is AFCAT Exam Pattern?

Table of content

AFCAT 2025 Dates
AFCAT Important Events
AFCAT Shift Timings
AFCAT Exam Dates 2025 FAQs

AFCAT 2025 Dates

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of AFCAT 2025 exam

Dates	Past Exam Dates
23 Aug ' 25 - 25 Aug ' 25	AFCAT 2 2025 exam date
19 Aug ' 25 - 25 Aug ' 25	AFCAT 2 admit card 2025
07 Aug ' 25 - 09 Aug ' 25	AFCAT 2 2025 Application Form Correction
View More Past Events (42)