AFCAT Exam Date 2026 OUT: Check AFCAT 1 Exam Schedule Here

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. 

AFCAT admit card is released by IAF. 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 exam is conducted in two shifts. Each shift is conducted for two hours. Shift 1 timing is from 9.45 am to 11.45 am, and shift 2 from 2:15 PM to 4.15 pm. Candidates have to report to the test centre as per the reporting time. Carry the admit card along with a valid ID proof that mentions - name, father's name, date of birth, and a clear photograph). You are not allowed to 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.

AFCAT reporting timings are mentioned in the admit card. The shift-wise reporting timings are given below. 

AFCAT Shifts	AFCAT Reporting Time
Shift 1	7.30 am
Shift 2	12.30 pm

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.

There are no sectional timings in AFCAT exam. The duration of the test is two hours. AFCAT exam carries questions from General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test. The total marks allotted to the test are 300. 

AFCAT syllabus is one of the most important resources to prepare for the exam. Students can check the exam syllabus to know the topics and sub-topics for the exam. The syllabus of AFCAT consists of General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test. The online test is conducted for 300.

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.

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. 

AFCAT notification was released on December 2. Short notification was released on November 22. Notification was released in PDF form and comprises the details related to the exam. Recruitment of candidates is done based on the selection process.

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.

Topics for the AFCAT Numerical Ability section are Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion and Simple Interest, Time and Distance. Candidates can prepare this section only through practice. They should also learn the shortcut tricks of solving questions. 

Some of the important changes observed in AFCAT notification are listed below:

No Permanent Commission

There was no vacancy for Permanent Commission. Earlier, Permanent Commission vacancies were announced for male candidates. The engagement period for Flying Branch (Men and Women) SSC Officers is fourteen years from the date of Commissioning. The initial tenure for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) SSC Officers would be for a period of ten years. An extension of four years may be granted subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit. Grant of Permanent Commission (PC) (at a later date) would be considered subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability, merit and as per prevailing policies on the subject. SSC officers are not entitled for the grant of pension.

New Addition of Branch

IAF included one new branch in AFCAT exam. The weapon system branch was included and the total number of vacancies for this branch was two for women and 15 for men.

Meterology Branch Included in the Online Test of AFCAT

Candidates who applied for the Meteorology branch were required to appear for AFCAT online exam. Earlier, it was as part of the special entry.

No EKT Exam Conducted

EKT exam is not included in AFCAT exam. Earlier, EKT was the part of AFCAT exam. This is conducted for the Technical branch.

 

 

 

Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test is one of the important sections of AFCAT exam. This section assess a candidate's ability to think logically. This section carries maximum questions in the exam. Candidates need to prepare well for the exam.

The preparation tips for the AFCAT exam are mentioned below:

• Know the exam syllabus and pattern.
• Solve the previous year question paper to know the exam difficulty level. Focus on the weak topics. Read more about these topics, solve related problems, and take online quizzes.
• AFCAT exam GA section will assess the knowledge of current affairs.

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Candidates are required to travel to the AFCAT exam centre of their own. The exam centre is allotted to candidates based on their preferences. The details related to the exam centre are mentioned in the admit card. Take the printout of the admit card along with one photo-identity proof.