Indian Air Force AFCAT Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The Indian Air Force (IAF) Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a golden opportunity for those aspiring to serve the nation as Flying and Ground-Duty branch officers. AFCAT 2025 offers 336 posts across Flying, Ground-Duty (Technical), and Ground-Duty (Non-Technical) roles, open to both men and women. This blog provides a comprehensive guide to the AFCAT syllabus, exam pattern, and key preparation strategies to help aspirants ace the exam.

Overview of AFCAT 2025

The AFCAT is a national-level exam conducted twice yearly to select candidates for Flying and Ground Duty branches. Here are the key details for AFCAT 2025:

Detail	Information
Organizer	Indian Air Force
Exam Date	February 22 and 23, 2025
Application Period	December 2, 2024, to December 31, 2024
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree with 60% marks, 10+2 with Physics & Math
Age Limit	20-24 years (Flying), 20-26 years (Ground Duty)
Official Website	IAF Careers

Exam Pattern

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 2025 is a comprehensive exam designed to assess candidates aspiring to join the Indian Air Force in Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. Below is the detailed exam pattern:

General Overview

• Mode of Examination: Online (Computer-Based Test)
• Language: English
• Type of Questions: Objective (Multiple-Choice Questions)
• Duration: 2 Hours
• Maximum Marks: 300

Structure of the AFCAT Examination

Sections	Number of Questions	Marks per Question	Total Marks	Duration
General Awareness	25	3	75
Verbal Ability in English	25	3	75
Numerical Ability	20	3	60
Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test	30	3	90
Total	100	3	300	2 Hours

3. Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT)

This test is mandatory for candidates applying for Ground Duty (Technical) branches.

Details	Specifications
Duration	45 Minutes
Maximum Marks	150
Subjects	Mechanical, Computer Science, Electronics, Electrical Engineering

Key Features

• Marking Scheme:
  • Correct Answer: +3 Marks
  • Incorrect Answer: -1 Mark
  • Unattempted Questions: No Marks
• Question Distribution:
  • The question difficulty aligns with:
    • Numerical Ability: Matriculation Level
    • Other Sections: Graduation Level

Detailed Schedule

Shift	Activity	Timings
Morning Shift (1st)	Reporting Time	08:00 AM
	Exam Start	10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Afternoon Shift (2nd)	Reporting Time	01:00 PM
	Exam Start	03:00 PM – 05:00 PM

AFCAT 2025 Syllabus With Marks

AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is a highly competitive exam aimed at selecting candidates for various branches of the Indian Air Force. Below is the detailed syllabus with topics and approximate marks distribution for each section:

1. General Awareness (Approx. 75 Marks)

Topics:

• History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern India, Indian Freedom Struggle
• Geography: Physical Geography, Indian Geography, World Geography
• Sports: Major tournaments, Famous athletes, Sports terms
• Current Affairs: National and international events, government policies
• Defence: Indian Armed Forces, military exercises, weaponry, ranks
• Polity: Indian Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Parliament, Judiciary
• Economy: Economic terms, Indian budget, banking, and inflation
• Science and Technology: Space technology, recent developments in science
• Environment & Ecology: Climate change, conservation, sustainable development

2. Verbal Ability in English (Approx. 90 Marks)

Topics:

• Reading Comprehension: Passages with 6-8 questions (18-24 Marks)
• Error Detection: Spotting grammatical errors in sentences (8-10 Marks)
• Sentence Completion: Fill in the blanks with appropriate words (8-10 Marks)
• Synonyms and Antonyms: Vocabulary-based questions (5-8 Marks)
• Idioms and Phrases: Meaning and usage (5-9 Marks)
• Cloze Test: Fill in the gaps in a passage (5-7 Marks)
• Sentence Rearrangement: Rearrange jumbled sentences (5-7 Marks)
• One-Word Substitution: Replace phrases with single words (5-7 Marks)

3. Numerical Ability (Approx. 60 Marks)

Topics:

• Arithmetic: Percentage, Profit & Loss, Average, Ratio & Proportion (15-20 Marks)
• Time and Work: Work efficiency, pipe problems (5-8 Marks)
• Speed, Time, and Distance: Train problems, boats & streams (5-8 Marks)
• Simple and Compound Interest: Interest calculations (5-7 Marks)
• Number Systems: Basics and number series (5-7 Marks)
• Algebra: Linear equations, quadratic equations (5-7 Marks)
• Mensuration: Area, perimeter, volume, and surface area (5-7 Marks)
• Probability and Statistics: Basic probability and data interpretation (5-8 Marks)

4. Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test (Approx. 75 Marks)

Topics:

• Verbal Reasoning:
  • Coding-Decoding (6-9 Marks)
  • Blood Relations (5-7 Marks)
  • Directions (5-7 Marks)
  • Series Completion (5-7 Marks)
• Non-Verbal Reasoning:
  • Analogy (5-7 Marks)
  • Pattern Recognition (6-12 Marks)
  • Figure Classification (5-8 Marks)
• Spatial Ability:
  • Visualizing space-based objects (5-7 Marks)
• Military Aptitude:
  • General awareness about military operations and defense strategies (8-12 Marks)

Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) for Technical Branch (Approx. 150 Marks)

This test is specifically for candidates applying to the Ground Duty (Technical) branch.

Branch	Subjects Covered
Mechanical	Thermodynamics, Engineering Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Materials Science, Manufacturing Technology, Machine Design
Electronics	Analog and Digital Electronics, Microprocessors, Radar Systems, Satellite Communication, Control Systems
Computer Science	Data Structures, Operating Systems, Networks, Algorithms, Software Engineering, Database Management Systems

Marks Distribution:

• Basic Engineering Concepts: 40%
• Core Subject-Specific Topics: 60%

Marking Scheme

Correct Answer	+3 Marks
Incorrect Answer	-1 Mark
Unattempted	0 Marks

Approximate Sectional Weightage

Section	Marks (Approx.)
General Awareness	75
Verbal Ability in English	75
Numerical Ability	60
Reasoning & Military Aptitude	90
Total (AFCAT)	300
EKT (For Technical)	150

Online Practice Tests

How to Access:

1. Visit the AFCAT Official Website.
2. Navigate to the Practice Test section.
3. Log in with your credentials.
4. Attempt practice tests to familiarize yourself with the exam interface and identify improvement areas.

Physical Fitness Standards

Physical and medical fitness is crucial for AFCAT candidates. Below are the mandatory physical requirements and disqualifying criteria:

Basic Physical Fitness Requirements Table

Activity	Requirement
Running	1.6 km in under 10 minutes
Push-ups	Minimum of 10
Sit-ups	Minimum of 10
Chin-ups	Minimum of 3
Rope Climbing	3-4 meters

Medical Fitness Standards

Parameter	Requirement
Height
– Flying Branch	Minimum 162.5 cm
– Ground Duty	Minimum 157.5 cm
Weight	Proportionate to height and age
Vision
– Flying Branch	6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other (correctable with glasses)
– Ground Duty	As per IAF guidelines
Hearing	Clear and normal

Avoided Physical Traits (Disqualifying Criteria)

Tattoos

• Permissible Areas: Tattoos are allowed only on the inner face of the forearms (inside of the elbow to the wrist) and the back side of the hands.
• Non-Permissible Tattoos:
  • Tattoos on other body parts (e.g., neck, face, or visible areas).
  • Tattoos with offensive, extremist, or racist content.
  • Large or elaborate tattoos, even in permissible areas.

Other Medical Conditions

• Orthopedic Issues: Old fractures, spine deformities, or nerve injuries can be grounds for rejection.
• Skin Conditions: Keloids, large birthmarks, or significant scars may lead to disqualification.
• Alcohol or Drug Dependency: Candidates testing positive for drug or alcohol dependency will be disqualified.

Tips for Physical Fitness

• Daily Routine: Incorporate running, skipping, push-ups, and rope climbing into your workout routine.
• Balanced Diet: Maintain a healthy diet to meet the weight and fitness requirements.
• Medical Check-Up: Undergo a thorough medical check-up before applying to ensure compliance with IAF standards.

Preparation Strategies for AFCAT

• Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with all topics in the syllabus to avoid missing important subjects.
• Prioritize High-weightage Topics: Focus on areas that commonly appear in previous papers.
• Create a Study Plan: Allocate specific time slots for each subject and stick to the schedule.
• Practice Regularly: Solve sample papers and mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.

Importance of Mock Tests

Mock tests are essential for:

• Building confidence and reducing exam-day anxiety.
• Identifying strengths and weaknesses.
• Practicing time management and accuracy.

Tips for Success in AFCAT

1. Revise Regularly: Dedicate the last few weeks before the exam to revision.
2. Time Management: Practice completing sections within the allotted time during mock tests.
3. Stay Updated: Follow current affairs for the General Awareness section.
4. Stay Fit: Physical and mental fitness are crucial for clearing the AFSB interview.

Important Links for AFCAT 2025

Purpose	Link
Official Notification	Download Here
Online Application Portal	Afcat
AFCAT Practice Test	Practice Test
Official AFCAT Website	Career Indian Airforce
Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment	Click Here

Conclusion

The Indian Air Force AFCAT 2025 exam is an excellent opportunity for aspiring candidates to serve the nation. By thoroughly understanding the syllabus, practicing consistently, and following the right strategies, aspirants can enhance their chances of success.

Stay updated with notifications and announcements on the official IAF website. Wishing all aspirants the best in their journey toward becoming esteemed officers in the Indian Air Force!

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