Aviation

AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is an entrance examination conducted by the Indian Air Force for the recruitment of offices in various branches of the Indian Air Force, including Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical).

The salary of AFCAT offices varies depending on the branch and rank they hold. Here is a general overview of the salary structure for AFCAT offices:

1. Flying Branch:

   • Flying Officer (Entry-level): The approximately starting salary is around ?INR 6,100 per month. This includes basic pay, grade pay, military service pay, dearness allowance, transport allowance, and other allowances.

2. Ground Duty Branches (Technical and Non-Technical):

   • Flying Officer (Entry-level): The approximately starting salary is around INR 56,100 per month. This includes basic pay, grade pay, military service pay, dearness allowance, transport allowance, and other allowances.

Candidates need to secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in the written exam and AFSB test. Candidates are placed in the order of merit on the basis of the total marks secured by them in the written examination and in the AFSB tests. 10 per cent of the vacancies are reserved for NCC Air Wing Senior Division C Certificate holders in Ground Duty (Technical and Nontechnical) Branches. Allotment of branch is based on number of vacancies, performance in the selection process, medical fitness and the choice given by the candidates. Candidates need to secure the section-wise and overall cut off marks inorder to qualify the online test of AFCAT.

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). 

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.

The important topics for AFCAT General Awareness section are History, Geography, Civics, Politics, Current Affairs, Environment, Basic Science, Defence, Art, Culture, Sports, etc. The tips and tricks to crack the AFCAT General Awareness section are given below: Candidates must review the syllabus for General Awareness section. This give candidates an idea of the topics that are covered in the test Candidates must look for study materials such as online resources that have extensively covered the General Awareness section Make a study schedule for General Awareness section Practice through mock tests Stay up to date with current events Candidates should stay calm and take enough rest