AFCAT Eligibility Criteria
AFCAT eligibility criteria is one of the main aspects that candidates must carefully go through before submitting the AFCAT exam application form for the position of Flying Branch (Pilot), Ground Duty Technical (Electrical, Mechanical) or Ground Duty Non-Technical (Administration, Logistics). IAF has invited online applications from Indian citizens (Men and Women) for the courses starting in January 2022 for grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) in Flying Branch and Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. The Indian Air Force has also invited applications for the grant of PC/SSC for NCC Special Entry Scheme (For Flying Branch).
AFCAT eligibility criteria differ from one post to another. Candidates can avail the complete information about AFCAT eligibility criteria in this article.
Important Update
The official AFCAT notification 2020 was released on 28th November 2020. Later the detailed notification was released on 1st December 2020. AFCAT 2021 online application process began on 1st December 2020. Indian Air Force has announced the AFCAT 2021 exam will take place on 20th and 21st February 2021. Initially, the last date to submit the AFCAT applications was 30 December 2020. However, the deadline for online application submission was later extended till 11th January 2021.
The table below contains all the important AFCAT exam dates:
AFCAT Exam Dates (AFCAT 1) 2021
Exam Events | Important Dates |
Release of short notification | 28th November 2020 |
Release of Notification (Detailed) | 1st December 2020 |
Dates for submission of online applications | 1st December 2020 to 11th January 2021 |
AFCAT (1) 2021 Admit Card Release | 5th February 2021 |
AFCAT (1) 2021 Exam | 20th and 21st February 2021 |
AFCAT Result Release | March 2021* |
Course Commencement | January 2022* |
*Exact dates yet to be released
AFCAT Exam Dates (AFCAT 2) 2021
Exam Events (2021) | Important Dates |
Release of notification | June 2021* |
Dates for submission of online applications | June to July 2021* |
AFCAT (2) 2021 Admit Card Release | September or October 2021* |
AFCAT (2) 2021 Exam | September or October 2021* |
AFCAT Result Release | November 2021* |
*Exact dates yet to be released
As per AFCAT eligibility criteria, a candidate should be an Indian citizen as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955. Applications from candidates who have migrated to India before 1955 are not welcomed.
Before applying for the AFCAT exam, candidates should fulfil the important age limit eligibility norms as the age criteria vary from one post to another. IAF has set a post-wise upper and lower age limit for candidates who wish to appear for the AFCAT exam 2021.
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2021 – Flying Branch through AFCAT and NCC Special Entry
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2021 – Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch
The age criteria as per the marital status of the aspiring candidates are highlighted below:
Marital Status | Age Limit |
Unmarried Candidates | Between 20 – 25 Years |
Married Candidates | Above 25 Years |
Widows/Widowers/divorcees | Above 25 Years |
Besides the above age factor in the AFCAT eligibility criteria, candidates have to follow some other marital- and age-related eligibility criteria too. These are –
IAF has laid down several educational conditions under AFCAT 2021 eligibility criteria. Criteria are dependent on posts for which each of the candidates are applying.
They must have the minimum educational qualifications from a recognized university board as indicated in the table below.
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria – Educational Qualifications for Different Posts
AFCAT Post | Educational Qualification | |
Flying Branch | Minimum 60% aggregate each in Physics & Mathematics in 10+2 OR Minimum 60% aggregate in Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India OR Minimum 60% aggregate in B.Tech/B.E degree or equivalent OR Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers (India) or equivalent. | |
Ground Duty (Technical) Branch | Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) {AE (M)} | Minimum of 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level besides a minimum of 4 years graduation/integrated post-graduation degree in Engineering/Technology from recognised University OR Minimum 60% aggregate in Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India or Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers (India) in the following disciplines:-
|
Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) {AE (L)} | Minimum 50% aggregate each in Physics & Mathematics in 10+2 (minimum of 4 years graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/ Technology from recognized University) OR Minimum 60% aggregate in Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India or Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers (India) OR Graduate membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies or equivalent in the electronics related disciplines such as:
| |
NCC Special Entry (Flying Branch) | Minimum 60% aggregate each in Physics & Mathematics in 10+2 Minimum OR 60% aggregate in 3 years graduation degree in any equivalent NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate acquired on or after 1st January 2017 (mandatory) OR Minimum 60% aggregate in Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India or Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers OR Minimum 60% aggregate in B.Tech/ B.E or any other equivalent OR Minimum 60% aggregate in Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India | |
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches | Accounts | Minimum 60% aggregate in 3 years B.Com degree or equivalent |
Administration and Logistics | Minimum 60% aggregate in Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India OR Minimum 60% aggregate in 3 years graduation degree in any equivalent |
There are certain guidelines related to the physical and medical standards that aspiring candidates must qualify to get shortlisted to sit for the exam.
Candidates need to check the weight and height standards set by the Indian Air Force.
Female
Height (cm) | Weight as per Age Range in Years | |
20 to 25 | 26 to 30 | |
148 | 43 | 46 |
149 | 44 | 47 |
150 | 45 | 48 |
151 | 45 | 48 |
152 | 46 | 49 |
153 | 47 | 50 |
154 | 47 | 50 |
155 | 48 | 51 |
156 | 49 | 52 |
157 | 49 | 53 |
158 | 50 | 53 |
159 | 51 | 54 |
160 | 51 | 55 |
161 | 52 | 55 |
162 | 52 | 56 |
163 | 53 | 57 |
164 | 54 | 57 |
165 | 54 | 58 |
166 | 55 | 59 |
167 | 56 | 60 |
168 | 56 | 60 |
169 | 57 | 61 |
170 | 58 | 62 |
171 | 58 | 62 |
172 | 59 | 63 |
173 | 59 | 64 |
174 | 60 | 64 |
175 | 61 | 65 |
176 | 61 | 66 |
177 | 62 | 67 |
178 | 63 | 67 |
SD | 5 | 5 |
Male
Height (cm) | Weight as per Age Range in Years | ||||
15 to 17 | 18 to 22 | 23 to 27 | 28 to 32 | 33 to 37 | |
152 | 46 | 47 | 50 | 54 | 54 |
153 | 47 | 47 | 51 | 55 | 55 |
154 | 47 | 48 | 51 | 56 | 56 |
155 | 48 | 49 | 52 | 56 | 56 |
156 | 48 | 49 | 53 | 57 | 57 |
157 | 49 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 58 |
158 | 49 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 58 |
159 | 50 | 51 | 55 | 59 | 59 |
160 | 51 | 52 | 56 | 59 | 60 |
161 | 51 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 60 |
162 | 52 | 53 | 57 | 61 | 61 |
163 | 52 | 54 | 58 | 61 | 62 |
164 | 53 | 54 | 59 | 62 | 63 |
165 | 53 | 55 | 59 | 63 | 63 |
166 | 54 | 56 | 60 | 63 | 64 |
167 | 54 | 56 | 61 | 64 | 65 |
168 | 55 | 57 | 61 | 65 | 65 |
169 | 55 | 57 | 62 | 65 | 66 |
170 | 56 | 58 | 63 | 66 | 67 |
171 | 56 | 59 | 64 | 66 | 68 |
172 | 57 | 59 | 64 | 67 | 68 |
173 | 58 | 60 | 65 | 68 | 69 |
174 | 58 | 61 | 66 | 68 | 70 |
175 | 59 | 61 | 66 | 69 | 71 |
176 | 59 | 62 | 67 | 70 | 71 |
177 | 60 | 62 | 68 | 70 | 72 |
178 | 60 | 63 | 69 | 71 | 73 |
179 | 61 | 64 | 69 | 72 | 73 |
180 | 61 | 64 | 70 | 72 | 74 |
181 | 62 | 65 | 71 | 73 | 75 |
182 | 62 | 66 | 72 | 74 | 76 |
183 | 63 | 66 | 72 | 74 | 76 |
184 | 64 | 67 | 73 | 75 | 77 |
185 | 64 | 68 | 74 | 75 | 78 |
186 | 65 | 68 | 74 | 76 | 78 |
187 | 65 | 69 | 75 | 77 | 79 |
188 | 66 | 69 | 76 | 77 | 80 |
189 | 66 | 70 | 77 | 78 | 81 |
190 | 67 | 71 | 77 | 79 | 81 |
191 | 67 | 71 | 78 | 79 | 82 |
192 | 68 | 72 | 79 | 80 | 82 |
193 | 68 | 73 | 79 | 81 | 83 |
SD | 6.0 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 6.6 | 6.9 |
The candidates have to carefully check the minimum and maximum height (acceptable) from the table below.
AFCAT Physical Requirement for Technical and Ground Duty Branch
Post | Minimum Height | |
Ground Duty (Technical/ Non-technical) Branch | Women | Men |
157.5 cms. | 152 cms. |
Note – Men and women from Lakshadweep will get a concession of 2 cms. in the minimum acceptable height. Gorkhas belonging to hills of North-Eastern region of India, Kumaon and Garhwal will get a concession of 5 cms.
AFCAT Physical Requirement for Flying Branch
Post | Leg Length | Minimum Height | Sitting Height | Thigh Length |
Flying Branch | Maximum – 120 cms. | 162.5 cms. | Maximum – 96 cms. | Maximum – 64 cms. |
Minimum – 99 cms. | Minimum – 81.6 cms. |
Note – No concession is provided for age and region.
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria – Visual Standards For Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch
Sub Branch | Maximum Limits of Refractive Error | Colour Vision | Visual Acuity Errors |
Logistics | Hypermetropia: +3.5 D Spherical | CP-III | Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye. Wearing of Glasses will be compulsory. |
Myopia: -3.50 D Spherical | |||
Astigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cylindrical | |||
Administration | Hypermetropia: +3.5 D Spherical | CP-II | Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in each eye |
Myopia: -3.5 Spherical | |||
Astigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cylindrical in any meridian | |||
Meteorology | Astigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cylindrical in any meridian | CP-II | Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye. Wearing of Glasses will be compulsory. |
Myopia: -3.5 D Spherical | |||
Hypermetropia: +3.5 D Spherical | |||
Accounts and Education | Hypermetropia: +3.5 D Spherical | CP-III | Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye. Wearing of Glasses will be compulsory. |
Myopia: -3.50 D Spherical | |||
Astigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cylindrical |
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria – Visual Standards For Ground Duty (Technical) Branch
Maximum Limits of Refractive Error | Colour Vision | Visual Acuity Errors |
Hypermetropia: +3.5 D Spherical | CP-II | Corrected visual acuity should be 6/9 in each eye. Candidates will have to wear glasses when advised. |
Myopia: -3.50 D Spherical | ||
Astigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cylindrical |
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria – Visual Standards For Flying Branch
Minimum distant vision 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia | Colour vision CP-1 | |
Hypermetropia : +2.0 D Spherical | ||
Manifest Myopia: Nil | ||
Retinoscopic Myopia: – 0.5 in any meridian permitted | ||
Astigmatism : +0.75 D Cylindrical (with + 2.0 D Maximum) | ||
Handheld Stereoscope | All of BSV Grades | |
Cover test for distant and near | Latent divergence/convergence recovery – rapid and complete. | |
Maddox Rod Test | At 33 cms | Eso – 6 prism D |
Hyper -1 prism D | ||
1 Hypo -1 prism D | ||
Exo -16 prism D | ||
At 6 meters | Exo -6 prism D | |
Eso- 6 prism D | ||
Hyper -1 prism D | ||
Hypo -1 prism D | ||
Convergence | up to 10 cm | |
Binocular Vision | Applicants must have a good binocular vision (fusion and stereopsis with good amplitude and depth). |
Note – Candidates wearing spectacles regularly are not eligible for flying branch.
Aspiring candidates should not have gone through any operation or injury in the past few years and he/she must not have any disease. The medical scenarios that can lead to rejection are:
Candidates who have gone through the Hernia operation will be considered eligible for the exam if they satisfy the below conditions:
Candidates who go through the PRK (Photo Refractive Keratotomy) or LASIK (Laser in Situ Keratomileusis) are considered eligible for all the branches in the Air Force. However, they have to meet the below-mentioned criteria:
To know the other Physical criteria, read the AFCAT Notification (Page 22)
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) being the exam conducting body determines the eligibility conditions for AFCAT examination.
The minimum and maximum age limit for the flying branch is 20 and 24 years, whereas the candidates applying for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch must be between 20 and 26 years of age.
As per the AFCAT eligibility criteria, candidates should obtain a minimum of 60% in Graduation. However, for the Ground Duty (Technical) branch, the minimum qualifying marks is 50%.
The AFCAT application fee is Rs 250 across all categories.
There are 2 phases of AFCAT 2021 exam -
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