Air Force Common Aptitude Test - AFCAT Coimbatore

Air Force Common Aptitude test (AFCAT)

If you want to become an officer in the “Indian Air Force (IAF)”, you need to appear for the AFCAT. In order to do so, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria. The requirements vary for each branch of the air force:

Flying Branch

1. Age-limits

You must be 20 – 24 years old (as on 1 January 2016). Candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) may have their upper age limit relaxed to 26 years.

2. Educational Qualifications

Graduates from any discipline from a recognized University who have attained 60% marks in aggregate in all papers with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level. B.E. or B.Tech. students with minimum 60% marks may also apply.

2. Physical Standards

i) Minimum Height is 162.5cms for both men and women with correlated weight, minimum leg length is 99cms and maximum 120cms, thigh length maximum 64cms, sitting height minimum 81.5cms and maximum 96cms.

ii) Vision- Minimum Visual Acuity 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in another, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia with Manifest Myopia Nil. Candidates with LASIK surgery must fulfill the conditions mentioned on the official website.

Important – You can’t apply if you have failed the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) earlier or if you are a Flight Cadet suspended from flying training at Air Force Academy.

Marriage criteria

If you’re less than 25 years old, you must be single (unmarried) in order to be eligible to apply for AFCAT. You can’t get married while undergoing training.

If you’re older than 25 and married, you are eligible to apply for AFCAT. However, if selected, you will have to live without your family/ spouse at the training center. No accommodation will be arranged for them.

Technical Branch

1. Age-limits

ou must be 20 – 26 years old (as on 1 January 2016).

2. Educational Qualifications

Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) {AE (L)} and Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) {AE (M)} – candidates applying for this branch must have a four year degree qualification from a recognized University or cleared Sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India by actual studies. Candidates must also have at least 60% marks in aggregate with minimum eight of the eighteen specified subjects mentioned in the website.

3. Physical Standards

i) Height and weight- minimum height must be 157.5cms with correlative weight for men and 152cms for women.

ii) All other medical criteria will be evaluated by the Air Force Medical authorities whose decision will be final.

Marriage criteria

If you’re less than 25 years old, you must be single (unmarried) in order to be eligible to apply for AFCAT. You can’t get married while undergoing training.

Ground Duty Branch

1. Age-limits

You must be 20 – 26 years old (as on 1 January 2016).

2. Educational Qualifications

The educational requirements vary according to different branches in ground duty services:

i) Administration and Logistics – Graduate in any discipline with 60% marks in aggregate or post-graduate in any discipline with 50% marks in aggregate.
ii) Accounts – Graduate degree in commerce with minimum 60% marks in aggregate or post graduate with 50% marks in aggregate.
iii) Education – Post Graduate degree in any discipline with minimum 50% marks in aggregate

2. Physical Standards

Minimum height requirement for men is 157.5cms and 152 cms for women with correlated weight. Other medical criteria will be decided by the Air Force Medical authorities.

Marriage criteria

If you’re less than 25 years old, you must be single (unmarried) in order to be eligible to apply for AFCAT. You can’t get married while undergoing training.