Table of Contents
The official notification for AFCAT 1 2023 was released by the Indian Air Force on November 27, 2022. The Notification contains all the information, including the number of openings, the deadline for applications, the qualifying requirements, and the exam format. To learn all there is to know about the AFCAT 1 2023 Notification, read this article in its entirety.
The Indian Air Force holds the AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) Exam twice a year to select applicants for the Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying Branch and the Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches.
IAF also hires for the NCC Special Entry Scheme (Flying Branch) and Meteorological Entry. For millions of applicants throughout India, it is one of the most sought-after positions in the Indian Air Force.
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AFCAT 2023: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Name of Organization | Indian Air Force |
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (2023) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Mode of Exam | Online (CBT) |
| Exam Stages | 3 Stages (Written + AFSB + DV) |
| Exam Dates | Written Test: 24th, 25th & 26th February 2023 AFSB: —– |
| Expected Candidates | 2 lakhs approx. |
| Available Seats | 258 |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
AFCAT 2023: Notification PDF
The Indian Air Force has released the AFCAT 1 2023 Notification. Once the announcement is out, candidates can apply for the position using the link below. From the link provided below in the post, candidates can apply for the Class I Gazetted Officers in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) and Flying Branch.
Click Here to Download AFCAT 2023 Notification PDF
AFCAT 2023: Exam Date
The official AFCAT announcement was released by the Indian Air Force on November 27. The notification will be accompanied by information on the exam date, the number of openings, the deadline for applications, etc. The AFCAT 1 2023 Exam Schedule is listed below.
| AFCAT 1 2023 | Â Dates |
| AFCAT 1 2023 Notification | 27th November |
| Online Application Starts | 1st December |
| Last Date to Apply | 30th December |
| Admit Card | February |
| AFCAT Written Examination | 24th, 25th & 26th February |
| Result of Online Examination | To Be Announced |
| AFSB Call Letters | To Be Announced |
| AFSB and Interview Round | To Be Announced |
| Document Verification | To Be Announced |
| Final Merit List Declared | To Be Announced |
AFCAT 2023: Vacancy
One of the most crucial elements in any government notification is vacancy. Along with the AFCAT announcement, the IAF will disclose the total number of openings in all branches. This time, there are 258 open positions. Let’s look at the AFCAT 1 2023 positions by field.
| Entry | Branch | AFCAT Vacancy (Men SSC) | AFCAT Vacancy (Women SSC) |
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 05 | 05 |
| Ground-Duty (Technical) | AE(L): 87 AE(M): 30 | AE(L): 10 AE(M): 03 | |
| Ground-Duty (Non-Technical) | Weapon Systems (WS) Branch: 15 Admin: 43 Accts: 11 LGS: 19 Edn: 08 Met: 07 | Weapon Systems (WS) Branch: 02 Admin: 05 Accts: 02 LGS: 02 Edn: 02 Met: 02 | |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC. | |
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AFCAT 2023: Salary
The current notification states that a flying officer’s base salary is Rs. 56,100. The 7th Pay Commission-revised AFCAT salary structure is shown below.
| Rank | Level | (Pay in Rs.) |
| 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) |
In addition, newly commissioned officers in the flying and technical branches are eligible for the following allowances.
- Flying Allowance @ Rs 11250 PM to Flying Branch Officers.
- Technical Allowance @ Rs 2500 PM to Technical Branch Officers
AFCAT 2023: Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must match the qualifying requirements established by the conducting body. The following section contains a quick discussion of the AFCAT eligibility requirements:
Age Limit:
The maximum age restrictions change depending on the position and the candidates’ caste. The table below provides a quick overview of the various AFCAT age limits for various posts.
| Branch Name | Age Limit |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical and Technical) Branch | 20 – 26 years for the Unreserved category. |
| Flying Branch | •     The upper age limit for candidates with a commercial pilot license is relaxed to 26 years.
•     Candidates must be between the ages of 20 and 24. |
Educational Qualification:
Candidates must be Indian citizens in order to apply for the AFCAT positions. Different positions require different levels of education. The IAF established the educational requirements for the various branches. Check out the table below for the necessary AFCAT educational requirements.
| Branch | Sub-Branch | Educational Qualification |
| Ground Duty Technical Branch | Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) | A four-year degree in graduation/integrated or post-graduation in the field of engineering and technology from a recognized university, as well as a minimum of 50% in math and physics combined at the 10+2 level.
OR Those who passed the associate membership exam of the Institution of Engineers (India) in both the A and B sections with a minimal grade point average in a few disciplines as set forth by the IAF |
| Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) | Minimum 50% marks in math and physics at the 10+2 level, as well as a degree in engineering or technology from an accredited university are other requirements.
OR
Those who passed the test for associate membership in both the A and B sections of the Institution of Engineers (India) with a minimum score of 60% in a few disciplines as set forth by IAF |
|
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches | Administration | Graduate degree with at least 60% on a three-year course from an accredited university, OR must have passed sections A and B of the exam with at least 60%. |
| Weapon System Branch | must have obtained a passing grade in math and physics in the 10+2 program.
Must have received the following degrees from an accredited university: •     Graduation from a three-year minimum degree program in any discipline from an accredited university with a minimum grade point average of 60% or an equivalent. OR •     A four-year BE/B Tech degree from an accredited university with a minimum grade point average of 60% is required. |
Nationality:
According to the Indian Citizenship Act of 1955, a candidate must be an Indian citizen.
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AFCAT 2023: Application Form
The AFCAT website makes the AFCAT 1 2023 application form accessible. The methods listed below can be used by applicants to complete the AFCAT application form 2023:
Step 1: AFCAT 1 2023 RegistrationÂ
Check out the registration procedures for AFCAT 1 2023 below:
- Visit afcat.cdac.in, the Indian Air Force’s official website.
- Go to the “Career” tab now.
- Select the “Candidates Login” section.
- The screen will then display a brand-new web page. Fill out the registration information, such as your email address and mobile number.
- Click “Submit” at the bottom. The registered Email address would receive a new AFCAT Registration ID and Password.
Note: For the duration of the selection process, the candidate should keep their registered email address and phone number.
Step 2: AFCAT 1 2023 ApplicationÂ
Follow these instructions to complete the AFCAT 1 2023 application form’s details:
- Enter your login information to complete the AFCAT 1 application.
- Choose your preferred branch, AFCAT testing location, EKT exam topic, etc.
- Upload your photo and signature (as per the dimensions provided in the notification).
- Save the confirmation page after submitting the application form.
| Particulars | Details |
| Education Level | Choose one from the list: |
| Select Graduation Level | As per the options given the list is available in the application form. |
| Select a Qualification Degree |
|
| Duration of the Course in years | This should be inserted in numeric form. |
| Name of the College | A maximum of 50 characters should be used to enter this detail. |
| Name of University | The limit is 50 characters. |
| Date of Graduation | The format should be dd/mm/yyyy |
| Enter Class 12 Percentage | Candidates should enter it in numeric digits. |
| Aggregate/Gross Percentage | In numeric digit |
- Course Preference: Candidates must have a post-graduate degree or a graduate degree in technology or engineering in order to apply for the Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical), Flying branch, and they must also take the EKT exam. Regardless of the choices made by the candidates and regardless of available openings, the examination authority has the right to grant branches to applicants.
- SSB/AFSB: Candidates must select whether they failed the SSB/AFSB interview, did not show up, or succeeded. In addition, they must specify the batch number, location of presence in the exam, and the number of days.
- Source of information for AFCAT: Candidates must enter the “Source” where they received about the details surrounding the AFCAT exam.
- GATE Score: Candidates must enter their current “GATE Score” and the “Year” in which they took the test.
- Communication details:Â In the AFCAT application form 2023, either the correspondence address or the permanent address.
- Section for Permanent Address: The applicants must input their full addresses, PIN codes, nearby railroad stations, state or union territory selections, city selections, Aadhaar card numbers, and landlines.
- Correspondence Address Section: Candidates must give their full address, nearest railway station, Pin Code, State, and City.
- Uploading documents: The signature, left thumb impression, and photograph must be scanned in high definition and uploaded. The guidelines for uploading the documents are as follows, though: The photos must be in JPG or JPEG format. Each file should be between 10 and 50 KB in size. Candidate
- Declaration: After reading the “declaration,” the candidate must select the checkbox to continue.
- Choose Exam City: Candidates must choose the “Exam Centres” based on their personal preferences. The maximum number of sites is limited to five.
Step 3: AFCAT 1 2023 Application Fees
When submitting an application, the AFCAT 1 2023 application fee must be paid. The following table provides information on the application fees:
| Entry | Application Fee |
| AFCAT Entry | INR 250/- (For all category candidates) |
| NCC Special Entry | NA |
 The following documents must be prepared by candidates when they apply online for the AFCAT 1 2023 exam.
- Credit and debit cards
- 10+2 grade transcripts with an integrated diploma or degree certificate.
- Scanned images of signature, photograph and thumb impression of the left hand.
- Aadhaar Card
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AFCAT 2023: Application Link
The AFCAT 1 2023 Exam online applications are now open as of December 1. The official notification contains all pertinent details about how to fill out applications, how to submit them, how to meet eligibility requirements, etc.
Before completing the online form, candidates are advised to read the notification in its entirety. The direct link to apply online is currently active.
Click Here to Apply Online for AFCAT 2023
AFCAT 2023: Exam Pattern
The candidates take the AFCAT Written Exam as their first exam. To receive an AFSB call letter, one must achieve the required minimum score (or the cut off set by the Indian Air Force).
For their names to appear on the final merit list, candidates must pass both the written exam and the AFSB interview.
| Exam | Subject | Duration | No. of questions | Max. marks |
| AFCAT | General Awareness, Verbal ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test |
02 Hours | 100 | 300 |
| EKT(for Ground Duty technical branch only) |
Mechanical, Computer Science and Electrical & Electronics | 45 Minutes | 50 | 150 |
AFCAT 2023: Syllabus
The AFCAT test will have four sections, while the EKT (for the technical ground duty branch only) will be divided into three sections: mechanical, computer science, and electrical & electronics.
NOTE: For both the AFCAT and EKT, the exam will solely include objective-type questions and be given in English.
| English Syllabus | General Awareness | Numerical Ability | Reasoning Aptitude Test |
| Comprehension | History | Decimal fraction | Verbal Skill |
| Error Detection | Geography | Time and Work | Spatial Ability |
| Sentence Completion | Civics | Average | – |
| Synonyms | Politics | Profit and Loss | – |
| Antonyms | Current Affairs | Percentage | – |
| Testing of word | Environment | Ratio and Proportion | – |
| Vocabulary | Basic Science | Simple Interest | – |
| Idioms and Phrases | Defense | Time and Distance | – |
| – | Art Culture | – | – |
| – | Sports | – | – |
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AFCAT Preparation Tips
Every year, thousands of candidates take the highly regarded AFCAT exam. It takes the right mindset and technique to ace this exam. There are 100 questions totalling 300 points in the AFCAT written exam. English, general awareness, reasoning, and mathematics-related questions are asked. We’ll give you some advice on how to ace the AFCAT test on your very first try.
English
Questions from the passage comprehension, error detection, sentence completion, synonyms, antonyms, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, and other topics are included in this part. These questions can be written from any common book and are of a medium difficulty. Even the questions from prior years are really helpful for this part. Online quizzes are a good way to practice your grammar. The comprehension component could be satisfied by reading an English newspaper.
General Awareness
Questions from history, politics, geography, fundamental science, art and culture, defense, and current events with broad national and global implications are included in this area. Since the syllabus for this subject is a little more extensive, it might be wise to start by reviewing the questions from the previous year. First, read about subjects you are already familiar with, including science and current events. Avoid diving too deeply into disciplines like politics when the syllabus is too broad and the cost-benefit ratio is already low. The ideal book for the static section is Lucent.
Numerical Ability
This part calls for a more rapid calculative method. Topics like Time and Distance, Decimal Fraction, Average, Profit and Loss, Average, Ratio and Proportion, Algebra, etc. are covered in the questions. Practice is the key to mastering this part. Your score will increase as you practice more. Don’t forget to review the questions from last year’s exams before diving into any area. You can start getting ready by taking practice exams, and you can then use any common book or coaching material to improve your weak areas.
Reasoning and Military Aptitude
This part and the one on numerical ability are somewhat comparable. This section’s questions use both verbal and nonverbal reasoning. For instance, word jumbles, dice, analogies, and classification. This area can be readily prepared with daily online practice examinations and quizzes. Don’t linger too long on any one question.
In the written portion, try to get the highest possible score. If you receive between 160 and 170 out of 300 possible points, you will easily pass the cutoff. However, it will be safer to score higher if you want your name to be on the final merit list. Instead, then focusing too much on a single section, aim for a higher overall score. Your concepts will be sufficient day by day if you regularly study.
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AFCAT 2023: Exam Centre
The updated AFCAT exam centers for 2023 are mentioned here. The exam location can be chosen by the candidate based on the closest city. Candidates must arrive at the designated testing location on time.
|
AFCAT 2023 Exam Centre |
|
| Agartala | Vellore |
| Agra | Vijayawada |
| Ajmer | Vishakapatnam |
| Ahmedabad | Warangal |
| Alwar | Ujjain |
| Aligarh | Udaipur |
| Allahabad | Tirupathi |
| Aizawl | Vadodara |
| Ambala | Imphal |
| Amritsar | Indore |
| Aurangabad | Itanagar |
| Bareilly | Jabalpur |
| Behrampur | Jaipur |
| Belgavi | Jaisalmer |
| Bengaluru | Jalandhar |
| Bhagalpur | Jalpaiguri |
| Bhilai | Jammu |
| Bhopal | Jamshedpur |
| Bhuj | Jhansi |
| Bhubaneshwar | Jodhpur |
| Bikaner | Jorhat |
| Bilaspur | Kakinada |
| Chandigarh | Kannur |
| Chhapra | Kanpur |
| Chennai | Varanasi |
| Coimbatore | Kochi |
| Dehradun | Kohima |
| Delhi | Kolhapur |
| Dhanbad | Kolkata |
| Diu | Kota |
| Durgapur | Kurukshetra |
| Faridabad | Leh |
| Ganganagar | Lucknow |
| Gaya | Madurai |
| Ghaziabad | Mangalore |
| Gorakhpur | Meerut |
| Greater Noida | Mumbai |
| Guntur | Mysore |
| Guwahati | Noida |
| Gwalior | Nagpur |
| Haldwani | Nasik |
| Hisar | Nizamabad |
| Hyderabad | Pathankot |
| Rajkot | Patna |
| Ranchi | Puducherry |
| Rohtak | Pune |
| Rourkee | Sambalpur |
| Rourkela | Shillong |
| Thane | Shimla |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Silchar |
| Thrissur | Solapur |
| Tinsukia | Sonipat |
| Tirunelveli | Srinagar |
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AFCAT 2023: Selection Process
Candidates who wish to join the Indian Air Force via the AFCAT Exam should review the entire selection process here. The AFCAT Exam has three stages.
- Written Examination
- AFSB Interview
- Document Verification
AFCAT 2023: Admit Card
The AFCAT Admit Card 2023 will be posted on the Indian Air Force’s official website, afcat.cdac.in. By using their registered email address and password, applicants who have successfully submitted their application and paid the required examination fee can download their admit card.
Steps To Download AFCAT Admit Card 2023
- Visit the AFCAT exam’s official webpage at afcat.cdac.in.
- Choose AFCAT 01/2023 from the Candidate Login drop-down list.
- Click “Login” after entering the registered email address and password.
- Take a copy of your AFCAT 01/2023 hall ticket with you.
Important Paperwork to Take on Exam Day
- AFCAT 01/2023 Admit Card
- Candidate’s Aadhaar Card
- Candidate’s Aadhaar Card
- Two color passport-sized photos that are the same as the one you supplied when you applied online.
- A ballpoint pen (blue or black) for marking the attendance sheet and preliminary work.
AFCAT Guidelines for Dress Code
- Candidates must wear slippers or sandals with flat heels on the day of the exam. Shoes and other closed-toed footwear are not permitted inside exam centers.
- Large buttoned clothing is also prohibited.
- People who dress in a certain way for religious reasons must report to the exam room for a compulsory frisking.
- All jewelry, including rings, earrings, nose pins, chains, pendants, badges, and brooches, is prohibited during the examination.
- It is strictly forbidden to consume alcohol or tobacco on the grounds of the exam center.
AFCAT AFSB (Air Force Selection Board)
The second part of the exam is the AFSB. The call letters for the AFSB Interview round will be given to candidates who pass the written exam. The Air Force Selection Board will call the chosen candidates.
A candidate must complete a variety of cognitive and mental tasks during this five-day session. The interview round will occur on the final day.
The candidate will be judged based on how well he does across the board in all the tasks.
Candidates who have submitted applications for the Meteorology Branch and NCC Special Entry will be called directly for AFSB testing at one of the AFSB centers.
AFCAT 2023: Physical Fitness
Candidates are required to be physically fit and healthy before reporting to the SSB so they can participate in the AFSB’s many exams. Candidates should strive to be able to complete 10 push-ups, 3 chin-ups, and 1 mile (1.6 km) in 10 minutes.
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AFCAT 2023: Cut Off
Previous Year Cut Off
| Year | AFCAT cut-off | EKT cut-off |
| AFCAT 2 2021 | 157 | 18 |
| AFCAT 1 2021 | 165 | 30 |
| AFCAT 2 2020 | 155 | 40 |
| AFCAT 1 2019 | 133 | 50 |
| AFCAT 2 2018 | 140 | 55 |
| AFCAT 1 2018 | 155 | 60 |
| AFCAT 2 2017 | 160 | 60 |
| AFCAT 1 2017 | 150 | 60 |
| AFCAT (2) 2016 | 148 | 60 |
| AFCAT (1) 2016 | 132 | 52 |
| AFCAT (2) 2015 | 144 | 52 |
| AFCAT (1) 2015 | 126 | 55 |
| AFCAT (2) 2014 | 123 | 45 |
AFCAT 2023: Result
The AFCAT Written Exam will take place in August or September. After the written test has been administered for the AFCAT, results will be released 15 days later. All of the shortlisted candidates will go through the SSB process after the written exam results are announced by the AFSB. Candidates will be contacted by various AFSB centers.
AFCAT 2023: FAQs
Q1. When might we expect to get the AFCAT 1 2023 Notification?
Ans: The official AFCAT 1 2023 notification was published on November 27, 2022.
Q2. When will the AFCAT 1 2023 Exam be held?
Ans: The exam dates for AFCAT 1 2023 are November 24, 25, and 26.
Q3. How much is the AFCAT 1 2023 Exam application fee?
Ans: The application fee for the AFCAT 1 2023 exam is Rs. 250 for all categories. However, there is no fee for candidates registering for the NCC special entry and meteorology.
Q4. Does the AFCAT exam have negative marking?
Ans: The AFCAT Written Exam does offer negative marks for incorrect responses. For marking the incorrect response, one-fourth of the total marks given for that question will be subtracted.
Q5. Can 12th grade graduates take the AFCAT exam?
Ans: You cannot apply for the AFCAT exam, sorry.
Q6. What is the AFCAT exam’s full name?
Ans: The Air Force Common Admission Test is known as AFCAT. Every two years, the Indian Air Force holds the AFCAT exam for the purpose of hiring Gazetted Officers. The defense category examinations’ most prestigious test is this one.
