Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2025 - Know all details here

Indian Air Force (IAF) has invited applications for recruitment of various posts Short Service Commission (SSC) in Flying Branch and Ground Duty Branches (Technical & Non-Technical). Applications are also invited for NCC Special Entry Scheme (for Flying Branch).
Here in this blog, I have explained all the details related to this recruitment notification.

• Rank: Flying Officer
• Class: Group-A, Gazetted
• Branch: Flying and Ground Duty (GD)
• Organisation: Indian Air Force (IAF)
• Type: Armed Forces
• Ministry: Ministry of Defence
• Vacancies: 336+ vacancies
• Type: Short Service Commission (SSC)
• Eligible: Both Male and Female.
• Last Date: 31/12/2024

IMPORTANT DATES:
Application Begin: 02/12/2024
Last Date to Apply Online: 31/12/2024
Last Date Fee Payment: 31/12/2024
Exam Date: will be announced later

APPLICATION FEES:
AFCAT Entry: ₹550 (for all candidates)
NCC Entry: ₹0 (Nil)

VACANCY:
1. AFCAT (Flying): 30 vacancies
(Male: 21, Female: 09)

2. AFCAT (GD - Technical):
(i) Aeronautical Engineer - Electronics {AE (L)}: 122 vacancies
(Male: 95, Female: 27)

(ii) Aeronautical Engineer - Mechanical {AE (M)}: 67 vacancies
(Male: 53, Female: 14)

3. AFCAT (GD - Non Technical):
(i) Administration: 53 vacancies
(Male: 42, Female: 11)

(ii) Logistics: 16 vacancies
(Male: 13, Female: 03)

(iii) Accounts: 13 vacancies
(Male: 11, Female: 02)

(iv) Education: 09 vacancies
(Male: 07, Female: 02)

(v) Weapon Systems (WS) Branch: 17 vacancies
(Male: 14, Female: 03)

(vi) Meteorology: 09 vacancies
(Male: 07, Female: 02)

4. NCC Special Entry (Flying):
(i) 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for Permanent Commission (PC).
(ii) 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for Short Service Commission (SSC).

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION:
1. Flying Branch (through AFCAT):
Bachelor Degree in Any Stream with 60% marks, and with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 Level, OR, BE/BTech Course.

2. AFCAT (GD - Technical):
(i) Aeronautical Engineer - Electronics {AE (L)}:
10+2 Intermediate with Minimum 60% Marks in Physics and Math and Minimum 4 Year Graduation/Integrated PG Degree in Engineering/Technology, with 60% aggregate marks in Computer Science/Electronics/IT/Instrumentation or related branches.

(ii) Aeronautical Engineer - Mechanical {AE (M)}:
Candidates with Minimum 60% Marks Each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 Level and 4 Year Engineering/Technology Degree, with 60% aggregate marks in Mechanical/Industrial/Aeronautical Engineering or related branches.

3. AFCAT (GD - Non Technical):
(i) Administration & Logistics:
Passed 10+2 and Graduate Degree (Minimum three years degree course) in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks.

(ii) Accounts:
Passed 10+2 and passed BCom degree or BBA/BMS/BBS/BSc (with specialization in Finance) with 60% aggregate marks, OR, qualified CA/CMA/CS/CFA.

(iii) Education:
Passed 10+2 and Post-Graduation with 50% marks in any discipline and with 60% marks in Graduation in any discipline.

(iv) Weapon Systems (WS) Branch:
Candidates with Minimum 50% Marks Each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 Level, and passed three years graduation in any stream, or, four years BE/BTech in any stream with 60% aggregate marks.

(v) Meteorology:
Passed 10+2 and BSc with Physics and Mathematics with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent or four year Graduation in Engineering/Technology discipline with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in Computer Science/IT/Mechanical/Electronics or related streams.

4. NCC Special Entry (Flying):
Same eligibility as AFCAT Entry, but you also need to have a NCC Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ certificate.

NOTE: Appearing/Final Year Candidates are also eligible to apply. But they have to submit proof of passing Degree examination till 30th November 2025.

AGE LIMIT (as on 01/01/2026):
• Flying Branch (through AFCAT & NCC): 20 to 24 years
• Ground Duty Branches (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years

HEIGHT & CHEST:
1. Height for Flying Branch:
(i) Pilots, Flight Test Engineers (FTE) and WSO of Su 30 MKI - 162 cm (both male & female).
(ii) Officers and airmen who apply for aircrew duties, other than F(P), FTE duties and WSO of Su-30 MKI - 157 cm (both male & female).

2. Height For Ground Duty Branch:
(i) Male: 157 cm
(ii) Female: 152 cm

3. Chest (only for Male Candidates):
(i) Unexpanded: minimum 77 cm
(ii) Minimum Expansion: 05 cm

MARITAL STATUS:
Candidates must be unmarried at the time of joining. And marriage during the training is also prohibited.

TYPE OF COMMISSION:
In the Short Service Commission (SSC) for Men & Women:
(i) The engagement period for Flying Branch SSC officers is fourteen (14) years from the date of Commissioning.
(ii) The initial tenure for SSC officers in Ground Duty (Tech and Non-Tech) branches would be for a period of ten (10) years. An extension of four (4) years may be granted subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit.
(iii) Grant of Permanent Commission (PC) (at a later date) would be considered subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit and as per prevailing policies on the subject.
(iv) SSC officers are not entitled for grant of pension.

TRAINING:
• Training will commence in the first week of January 2026 for all courses at Air Force Academy Dundigal (Hyderabad).
• The duration of training for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) Branches is 62 weeks and that of Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches is 52 weeks.
• PAN Card and account in SBI/ Nationalised Bank is mandatory at the time of joining Air Force Academy.
• Aadhaar Card is mandatory for registration.

SALARY:
• Rank: Flying Officer
• Pay level: level-10 (₹56,100 - 1,77,500)
• Grade Pay: 5400
• Basic Pay: ₹56,100
• Dearness Allowance (DA): 50%
• Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 + DA (50%)
• Travelling Allowance: ₹7200 + DA (50%)
• Gross Salary (excluding HRA): ₹1,18,200 approx.
• Net in-hand salary (excluding HRA): ₹98,628 approx.
(HRA of 30% will be given only in case quarters are not available)

SELECTION PROCESS:
Selection to the service will be done on the basis of Written Test (Objective) & Interview.
• Subjects asked: General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test.
• Number of questions: 100
• Maximum marks: 300
• Duration: 2 hours
• Three marks will be awarded for every correct answer.
• One mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
• On the basis of marks scored in AFCAT, candidates will be shortlisted for the Interview at SSB/AFSB (Air Force Selection Board).

That's all about AFCAT 01/2025 Entry Exam. For more such updates, keep visiting this blog!