Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment – 336 Posts, Online Apply

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the notification for AFCAT (01/2025), inviting applications from both men and women to join as commissioned officers in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Additionally, applications are invited for the NCC Special Entry Scheme for the Flying Branch. The recruitment is for courses commencing in January 2026.

Recruitment Overview

Parameter	Details
Organization	Indian Air Force (IAF)
Exam Name	Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2025
Post Name	AFCAT Entry (Flying, Ground Duty – Technical and Non-Technical)
Course Commencement	January 2026
Total Vacancies	336
Application Mode	Online
Official Website	Click Here
Marital Status	Candidates must be unmarried during training.
Age Limit	20–24 years for Flying Branch; 20–26 years for Ground Duty Branches.

This recruitment aims to select highly motivated and talented individuals to serve the nation as commissioned officers in various branches of the Indian Air Force. The training for selected candidates will commence at the Air Force Academy (Hyderabad) in January 2026.

Vacancy Details

The distribution of 336 vacancies in the Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2024 across different branches and categories is as follows:

Branch	Category	Men (SSC)	Women (SSC)	Total
Flying	General	21	9	30
Ground Duty (Technical)	AE (L): Electronics	95	27	122
	AE (M): Mechanical	53	14
Ground Duty (Non-Technical)	WS (Weapon Systems)	14	3	100
	Administration	42	11
	Logistics	13	3
	Accounts	11	2
	Education	7	2
	Meteorology	7	2
NCC Special Entry (Flying)	Reserved	Based on CDSE & AFCAT vacancies.

PwBD Reservation Details

The PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) reservation for Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2024 is as follows:

Branch	PwBD Reservation
Flying	Not applicable (due to physical requirements).
Ground Duty (Technical)	Not applicable (due to operational duties).
Ground Duty (Non-Technical)	Not specified in this recruitment.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Starting Date to Apply	2nd December 2024
Last Date to Apply	31st December 2024
Admit Card Release Date	To be notified
Exam Date	February 2025 (Tentative)

Aspirants should apply online within the given timeline. Delays or incomplete applications beyond 31st December 2024 will not be entertained.

Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit

• Flying Branch:
  • 20 to 24 years as of 1st January 2026 (born between 2nd January 2002 to 1st January 2006).
  • The upper age limit is relaxed to 26 years for candidates holding a valid and current DGCA Commercial Pilot License.
• Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical):
  • 20 to 26 years as of 1st January 2026 (born between 2nd January 2000 to 1st January 2006).

Marital Status

• Candidates must remain unmarried during the training period. Marriage during training is not permitted.

Educational Qualifications

Branch	Qualifications
Flying	60% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level, and Graduation (3-year degree)/B.E/B.Tech (4-year degree) with 60% marks.
Ground Duty (Technical)	Minimum 50% marks each in Physics and Maths at 10+2, and B.E/B. Tech in relevant disciplines with 60% marks.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical)	Graduation (3-year degree) with 60% marks or equivalent in relevant disciplines.

Candidates must verify their eligibility, including educational qualifications and age limits, before applying.

Application Fee

Entry	Fee
AFCAT Entry	₹550 (Non-refundable)
NCC Special Entry	No fee

The fee for AFCAT Entry can be paid through the online payment gateway provided on the application portal. Candidates applying for NCC Special Entry are exempt from payment.

Salary Structure

Rank	Pay Scale (₹)	Level	MSP (₹)
Flying Officer	₹ 56,100 – 1,77,500	Level 10	₹ 15,500

Flight cadets receive a stipend of ₹56,100 per month during training. After commissioning, additional allowances are granted based on the nature of duty and place of posting.

The attractive benefits offered to the Indian Air Force

Benefit Type	Details
Allowances	Applicable Allowances Include Flying, Transport, Technical, Field Area, Special Compensatory (Hill Area), Special Force, Siachen, Island Special Duty, Test Pilot & Flight Test Engineer, Area and Remote Locality Allowance.
Privileges	Furnished accommodation, comprehensive medical cover for self and dependents, access to canteens, Officers’ Mess, loans at subsidized rates, Leave Travel Concession (LTC), and leave (60 days annual and 20 days casual, subject to service exigencies).
Insurance	₹1.25 crore insurance cover provided to officers under Air Force Group Insurance Society (AFGIS) (on contribution).
Sports and Adventure	Access to state-of-the-art facilities for sports and adventure activities such as skydiving, micro-light flying, mountaineering, and water rafting.
Travel Allowance (TA)	Reimbursement of to-and-fro travel fare by AC-III Tier/AC Chair Car or actual normal bus fare for first-time candidates appearing at Air Force Selection Board (AFSB). Not applicable for candidates who have previously appeared for the same entry. Candidates must provide correct bank account details in their name to claim reimbursement. Late submissions exceeding one month from the commencement of SSB will not be entertained.

Notes:

1. Allowances and Privileges: Tailored to ensure the comfort and well-being of Air Force officers and their families.
2. Insurance: Offers a significant safety net for officers in high-risk roles.
3. Sports and Adventure: Promotes a well-rounded lifestyle with opportunities for recreational and adventurous activities.
4. Travel Allowance: Ensures that travel expenses for first-time AFSB attendees are covered, emphasizing accessibility for potential candidates.

Exam Pattern

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration
General Awareness	25	75
Verbal Ability (English)	20	60
Numerical Ability	15	45
Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test	30	90	120 minutes

Key Points

• The total marks for the AFCAT exam are 300.
• Candidates appearing for Technical Branches must also attempt an Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) (50 marks).
• The duration for EKT is 45 minutes.

Syllabus

Subject	Topics
General Awareness	History, Geography, Civics, Polity, Current Affairs, Environment.
Verbal Ability	Comprehension, Fill in the Blanks, Error Detection, Vocabulary, Synonyms/Antonyms.
Numerical Ability	Arithmetic, Algebra, Time and Work, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion.
Reasoning	Spatial Ability, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Download PDF

How to Apply

1. Visit the IAF AFCAT Portal.
2. Click on the “New Registration” tab and complete the registration process.
3. Login with the credentials and fill out the online application form.
4. Upload scanned copies of required documents, including photographs and signatures.
5. Pay the application fee (if applicable) and submit the form.
6. Print the final application for future reference.

Applicants should carefully fill in their details and upload documents accurately to avoid disqualification.

Selection Process

The selection process for Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment comprises the following stages:

1. Online AFCAT Examination:
   • Candidates appear for a Computer-Based Test (CBT) which includes questions on General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning.
   • For Technical Branch candidates, an additional Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) is conducted.
2. Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing:
   • Shortlisted candidates are called for AFSB at one of the selection centers: Dehradun, Mysore, Gandhinagar, or Varanasi.
   • AFSB comprises the following phases:
     • Stage 1: Officer Intelligence Rating Test and Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT).
     • Stage 2: Psychological Tests, Group Tests, and Personal Interview.
     • For Flying Branch, candidates must qualify the Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS).
3. Medical Examination:
   • Candidates recommended by AFSB undergo a detailed medical examination at AFCME, New Delhi, or IAM, Bengaluru.
4. Final Merit List:
   • Based on performance in AFCAT, AFSB, and medical fitness, a final merit list is prepared.
   • Candidates are granted commissions based on their ranking in the merit list and available vacancies.

Result Process

1. AFCAT Result Declaration:
   • Results for the AFCAT online exam are declared on the official portal.
   • Candidates can log in with their credentials to view their scores and check if they are shortlisted for AFSB.
2. AFSB Call Letters:
   • Shortlisted candidates receive call letters for AFSB via the portal and registered email.
3. Final Merit List Announcement:
   • After AFSB and medical examination, the final merit list is published on the official website.
   • Candidates in the merit list are allocated branches based on preferences, merit ranking, and vacancies.

Key Notes:

• Candidates must keep track of the timelines and instructions for each stage of the selection process.
• Ensure that all required documents are ready for verification during AFSB and medical examinations.

Important Web-Links

Online Application Form	Click Here
Advertisement Details	Click Here
Official Website	Click Here

Important Instructions

Instruction	Details
Registration	Eligible candidates must register online separately for AFCAT Entry and NCC Special Entry if applying for both. Separate registration tabs are available for each entry.
Tattoos	Permanent tattoos are not permitted on any part of the body, except:
	The inner face of forearms (from inside of the elbow to the wrist).
	Reverse side (dorsal) of the palms and back of hands.
	Candidates with acceptable tattoos must sign a Self-Declaration Certificate.
	Small, innocuous tattoos (e.g., religious symbols or names of close relatives) are allowed.
	Tattoos based on tribal customs are permitted on a case-by-case basis.
Narcotics	The use or possession of narcotics is strictly banned.
	Candidates may be tested for drugs during Medicals and at any point during training or service.
	If found using or possessing narcotics, candidates will be debarred from joining or removed from service.

Candidates must carefully adhere to these instructions, as violations related to tattoos or narcotics can lead to disqualification or removal from service. The registration process requires meticulous attention to detail, especially if applying for multiple entries.

Also Read: NTPC Recruitment

Conclusion

The Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2024 offers a prestigious and rewarding career for individuals passionate about serving the nation. With 336 vacancies across various branches, this is an excellent opportunity to join one of the most esteemed defense forces in the world. Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply promptly and prepare thoroughly for the selection process.

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