AFCAT 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Air Force Common Admission Test

Last Updated: July 19, 2026

AFCAT is the gateway for both men and women to join the Indian Air Force as commissioned officers in flying, technical, and ground duty branches. If the idea of serving in blue uniform, working with cutting-edge technology, and being part of an elite force excites you, this guide is your starting point.

What is AFCAT?

AFCAT selects officers for three branches: Flying Branch (Pilots), Technical Branch (Aeronautical Engineers), and Ground Duty Branch (Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology).

Exam Pattern

Written Examination (Online CBT)

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration
General Awareness	25	75	2 hours
Verbal Ability (English)	25	75
Numerical Ability	25	75
Reasoning & Military Aptitude	25	75
Total	100	300

No sectional timing. Negative marking: 1 mark per wrong answer.

EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) — Technical Branch Only

50 questions, 150 marks, 45 minutes.

AFSB Interview (5-6 days)

Stage 1: Screening (Intelligence tests, PPDT) Stage 2: Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT) Stage 2: GTO Tasks (Group discussions, outdoor obstacles) Stage 2: Interview Final: Conference

Eligibility

Branch	Age	Education
Flying	20-24 years	Graduate with 60%, 12th PCM
Technical	20-26 years	Engineering degree with 60%
Ground Duty	20-26 years	Graduate with 60%

Subject-Wise Strategy

General Awareness (25 questions, 75 marks)

Focus on History (15%), Geography (15%), Polity (15%), Economics (10%), Science (20%), Current Affairs (20%). AFCAT GA has more defense-related questions than other exams. Know IAF structure, commands, aircraft, recent defense deals.

Verbal Ability (25 questions, 75 marks)

Reading Comprehension (8-10), Synonyms/Antonyms (5-6), Error Spotting (4-5), Fill in the Blanks (3-4), Sentence Improvement (3-4).

Numerical Ability (25 questions, 75 marks)

Topics: Number System, Simplification, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio, Time & Work, Time Speed Distance (15%), Algebra, Geometry, DI. Target 80+ questions with 85%+ accuracy.

Reasoning & Military Aptitude (25 questions, 75 marks)

Verbal Reasoning (8-10), Non-Verbal Reasoning (6-8), Spatial Ability (4-5), Military Aptitude (4-5) — aircraft recognition, basic military knowledge.

4-Month Preparation Plan

Month 1: Foundation — quant basics, reasoning, English vocabulary, GA defense focus Month 2: Intensive practice — all topics, speed building, 2 mocks per week Month 3: Mock mastery — 3 mocks per week, EKT prep for technical Month 4: Final push — revision, light mocks, AFSB awareness, physical fitness

Final Words

AFCAT is not just another government exam. It is the entry point to a life that few get to experience — flying supersonic jets, commanding technical teams, or managing critical air operations.

If you can see yourself in blue uniform, standing on the tarmac as the sun rises over your squadron — start preparing today. The sky is waiting.