Why AFCAT exam is conducted?

AFCAT exam is conducted to select Commissioned Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. The exam is conducted twice a year-February and August/September. The exam for the February session is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in January. The exam for the August/September session is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in July. AFCAT selection process comprises online test and AFSB interview. The online test comprises questions from General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English Numerical Ability, Military Reasoning, and Aptitude test. The total marks allotted to the test are 300. The AFSB interview is conducted at Dehradun, Varanasi, Gandhinagar and Mysuru. The AFSB interview is conducted in two stages. Stage 1 comprises Intelligence rating Test and Picture perception and Discussion Test. Stage 2 comprises Psychological Tests, Group Tests, Interview and Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test (For Flying Branch) candidates. If candidates are recommended by the Selection Board, they are send for the medical examination either at Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), New Delhi or Institute of Aviation Medicine, Bengaluru. The All India Merit List is compiled based on their performance in the online test and interview, subject to being medically fit. Based on the vacancies available in various branches/sub-branches, joining instructions are issued to join one of the training establishments.

Is AFCAT selection process same for men and women candidates?

AFCAT selection process is the same for men and women candidates. The criteria in terms of height and weight is different from the male. Candidates applying for the AFCAT exam are required to appear for the online test and AFSB interview.

What is the procedure of training of newly appointed Officers through AFCAT exam?

Training of newly appointed officers is conducted at Air Force Academy Dundigal (Hyderabad). The duration of training for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) Branches is 74 weeks and that of Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches is 52 weeks at Air Force Training Establishments. Candidates are advised to keep themselves in good physical condition to adapt to physical training at AFA that encompasses running, swimming, rope climbing and other forms of physical training in which they are required to undergo mandatory tests during the training. Candidates should keep themselves fit by following the below-mentioned routine: Running upto 4 kms in 5 minutes Skipping Push-ups & Sit-ups minimum 20 each Chin ups: 8 Rope Climbing: 3 to 4 meters Swimming (25 m).

What are the admission in AFA?

Candidates after admission in Air Force Academy will not be considered for any other commission. They are not permitted to appear for any interview or exam after they have finally selected for training at AFA. No request for withdrawal of candidature received from a candidate after they have submitted their applications is entertained under any circumstance. PAN Card, Aadhaar card and account in SBI/ Nationalized Bank is mandatory at the time of joining Air Force Academy (AFA). Use/possession of narcotics is banned. Candidate may be tested for presence of drugs in the body during Medicals and subsequently during training/ service career as an officer. If candidate is found to be using/ in possession of narcotics during any time of training/service career, candidate would be debarred from training /service as per extant policy.

What is AFCAT selection process?

AFCAT selection process comprises online test and AFSB interview. The AFCAT exam is conducted online. The test comprises questions from General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English . Numerical Ability, Military Reasoning, and Aptitude test. The total marks allotted to the test are 300. The duration of the test is two hours. The questions asked in the exam are objective-type. The standard of questions asked in the exam is of graduation level. The language of the question paper is English . Candidates should score between 140 to 190 marks out of 300 in AFCAT exam. The AFSB interview is conducted in two stages. Stage 1 of AFSB interview comprises Intelligence rating Test and Picture perception and Discussion Test. Stage 2 comprises Psychological Tests, Group Tests, Interview and Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test (For Flying Branch) candidates.

What are the documents required for AFCAT AFSB?

While appearing for AFSB, candidates need to carry the following documents: AFCAT Admit Card Original Matriculation/ Secondary School Certificate and Mark sheets issued by CBSE/ ICSE/ State Board No Other Certificate will be accepted for verification of Date of Birth Original Marks Sheet & Certificate of 10+2 (issued by the relevant Board) Original/ Provisional Graduation Degree/ Post Graduation Degree Certificates and Marksheet of each year/ semester issued by University. Provisional Certificate issued by college principal is not acceptable. However, Provisional Degree Certificate issued by the University is acceptable In case of final year/ semester students, a Certificate from the College Principal with proper stamp is required Two attested photocopies of certificates Original NCC Certificate (if applicable) NOC from employers for candidates working in Central/ State government. Or Public Sector Undertakings Original valid Commercial Pilots' License, issued by DGCA, if applicable Inbound Railway Ticket/ Bus Tickets. (For refund of Travelling Allowance) 20 copies of passport-size photographs.

AFCAT Selection Process 2026: Check Detailed Exam Procedure Here

Updated on Jan 29, 2026 18:49 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

AFCAT 2026 Selection Process: The Indian Air Force (IAF) decides the AFCAT selection process. The selection process comprises online test and AFSB Interview. The online test of AFCAT exam includes General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Military Reasoning, and Aptitude test. The total marks allotted to the test are 300. Candidates qualifying the online test are called for AFSB interview. AFCAT exam is conducted to select candidates for Group A Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Read below for more details on the AFCAT selection process..

Table of contents

Stages of AFCAT Selection Process
AFCAT Salary
AFCAT Selection Process: Types of commission
AFCAT Selection Process FAQs

Stages of AFCAT Selection Process

AFCAT selection process comprises online test and AFSB Interview. The recruitment process begins with the release of notification. The recruitment process is explained below.

Fill the Application Form

The application process is online only. The application fees are INR 550. The process to fill the AFCAT application form comprises the following.

Visit IAF
Go to the apply page
Register for the exam
Fill the detailed application form
Pay the required fees
Submit the online form

Release of Admit Card

The admit card is issued one week before the exam. Candidates can download their admit cards by logging with the required credentials. The hard copy of AFCAT admit card is not sent by post. They need to carry the printed copies of their admit cards along with one photo-identity proof to the exam centre.

Appearing in the online exam

The online exam of AFCAT comprises four sections. The total marks allotted to the test are 300. There are negative marking for the exam. The standard of AFCAT syllabus is of Graduation level.

Declaration of Result for Online Test

AFCAT result is announced online. Candidates can check their results by logging with the required credentials. Along with the AFCAT result, the cut off marks are also released.

Also Read: AFCAT Cut off

ASFB Interview

AFSB Interview is conducted in two stages. Candidates need to clear this stage.

Final Result

Final result is announced based on the performance in the online test and AFSB Interview. The medical standards are also taken into consideration for preparing the final merit list.

AFCAT Salary

AFCAT Officers are given good salary. There also get various allowances and benefits. The salary structure after clearing AFCAT is given below.

Rank	Flying Officer
Level	10
Pay as per defence matrix	INR 56,100-1,77,500
Military Service Pay (MSP)	INR 15,500 per month

AFCAT Selection Process: Types of commission

The types of commission offered to candidates are given below:

Permanent Commission (PC) for Men

Candidates joining as officers in Permanent Commission continue to serve till the age of superannuation in their respective branches as per their rank.

Short Service Commission (SSC) for Men & Women

The Flying Branch (Men and Women) SSC Officers serve for fourteen years from the date of commissioning. The initial tenure for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) SSC Officers is ten years. Their service is extended for four years subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, merit, etc.

AFCAT Selection Process FAQs

Candidates can check below AFCAT selection process FAQs.

Q: What is the annual package offered to AFCAT Officers?

AFCAT salary is different for different branches. The annual AFCAT salary package is given below.

Branch	Annual package (In INR)
Flying Branch	8-10 LPA
Ground Duty (Tech)	7-9 LPA
Ground Duty (Non-Tech)	7-9 LPA

Q: Does AFCAT has sectional cutoff?

Yes, there is sectional cut-off marks in the exam. Candidates need to secure the overall cut-off marks to get selected for AFSB Interview. Candidates securing equal to or more than the cut off marks are selected for the subsequent rounds of the selection process. Around 10,000 candidates are selected for the AFSB test based on their performance in the online test. The final selection is done based on the performance in the AFCAT and AFSB interview.

Q: What is AFCAT salary?

Candidates clearing AFCAT exam are offered a salary of INR 56,100-1,77,500. The salary structure is given below. Rank-Flying Officer-Level-10 Pay as per defence matrix-INR 56,100-1,77,500 Military Service Pay (MSP)-INR 15,500 per month. The rank-wise AFCAT Salary is given below: Flying Officer-INR 56,100 1,77,500 Flight Lieutenant- INR 6,13,00-1,93,900 Squadron Leader-INR 6,94,00 2,07,200 Wing Commander-INR 1,21,200 2,12400 Group Captain-INR 1,30,600-2, 15,900 Air Commodore-INR1,39,600-2,17,600 Air Vice Marshal-INR 1,44,200-2,18,200 Air Marshal HAG Scale-INR 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 HAG+Scale- INR 2,05,400 2,24,400 VACS/Airforce Cdr/ Air Marshal (NFSG)0- INR 2,25,000/-(fixed) CAS- INR 2,50,000/-(fixed) Selection of candidates for AFCAT exam is done based on the online test AFSB interview. Candidates are selected as Gazetted Officers in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.

Q: What is the rank wise salary of AFCAT Officers?

The rank-wise salary of AFCAT Officers is given below:

Rank	Level	Pay Scale (In INR)
Flying Officer	Level 10	56,100 – 1,77,500
Flight Lieutenant	Level 10 B	6,13,00-1,93,900
Squadron Leader	Level 11	6,94,00 – 2,07,200
Wing Commander	Level 12A	1,21,200 – 2,12400
Group Captain	Level 13	1,30,600-2, 15,900
Air Commodore	Level 13A	1,39,600-2,17,600
Air Vice Marshal	Level 14	1,44,200-2,18,200
Air Marshal HAG Scale	Level 15	1, 82, 200-2,24,100
HAG+Scale	Level 16	2,05,400 – 2,24,400
VACS/Airforce Cdr/ Air Marshal (NFSG)	Level 17	2,25,000/- (fixed)
CAS	Level 18	2,50,000/- (fixed)

Q: Why is it important to get a good score in AFCAT exam?

Getting good marks in AFCAT increases chances of qualifying for the AFSB interview. The scores enhances your position in the merit list. It also motivated candidates to perform much better. This also helps in identifying the strengths.

Q: What are the important changes announced in AFCAT exam?

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.

Q: What is the significance of scoring above the cutoff in AFCAT?

Candidates securing AFCAT cut off are called for the next round of selection process. The final selection of candidates is done based on the online test and AFSB interview. The total marks allotted to the online test are 300.