Indian Air Force (IAF) conducts the Air Force Common Admission Test ((AFCAT- 01/2021) or AFCAT exam to recruit candidates for various officer posts into Indian Air Force including:
- Flying Branch (Pilot)
- Ground Duty Technical (Electrical, Mechanical)
- Ground Duty Non-Technical (Administration, Logistics)
As per the detailed notification published on 1st December 2020, the AFCAT examination 2021 will be conducted on 20th and 21st February 2021.
Initially, all the aspiring candidates were informed via the official notification that the last date for AFCAT application form submission was 30th December 2020. However, on 24th December 2020, a new notice was released by IAF, which stated the extension of the submission of AFCAT application form. Now, as per the latest news, the last date for application submission would be 11th January 2021.
| IAF has released additional vacancies for women candidates in Ground Duty (Non-Tech) branches, i.e., Admin, Logistics and Accounts branch. All women candidates eligible for ground duty and tech branches who were unable to register earlier can now register for ADM, LGS AND ACCTS branches. Registration date has been extended till 11th January 2021. All those women candidates who are already registered for the flying branch will be allowed to add and modify their preference of branch from 11th to 21st January 2021. |
The AFCAT recruitment process happens twice a year. According to the official notification, IAF reserves the right to declare the AFCAT exam dates at least one to two months in advance. Similar to other years, this year too, the exam conducting authority will hold the AFCAT (1) exam in a Computer-based Test (CBT) mode.
To know all details regarding AFCAT exam dates 2021 and to keep an eye on all the latest updates, read this article carefully till the end.
AFCAT Exam Date – Schedule
IAF released the brief official AFCAT notification 2020 for the post of Group A Gazetted Officers in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches along with NCC Special Entry on 28th November 2020. Later, the detailed notification regarding the AFCAT exam date was released on 1st December 2020.
As per the updated notification, the AFCAT (1) exam will be conducted on 20th and 21st February 2021 respectively. Besides this, the AFCAT (2) examination is expected to be conducted around September or October 2021.
All the candidates who are interested to know about the AFCAT exam dates, especially the first part of the examination, are advised by Buddy4Study to check all the relevant dates in the table below.
AFCAT Exam Dates (AFCAT 1) 2021
| Exam Events | Important Dates |
| Release of short notification | 28th November 2020 |
| Release of Notification (Detailed) | 1st December 2020 |
| Timeline for submission of online applications | 1st December 2020 to 30th December 2020 11th January 2021 |
| AFCAT (1) 2021 Admit Card Release | 5th February 2021 |
| AFCAT Exam Dates (1) 2021 | 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 Exam Dates (2) 2021 | September or October 2021* |
| AFCAT Result Release | November 2021* |
*Exact dates yet to be Released
AFCAT Exam Date – Submission of Application Form
Indian Air Force has commenced the online application process for the selection of personnel in the post of Group A Gazetted Officers in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches along with NCC Special Entry cadre posts on Tuesday, 1st December 2020. Candidates can register themselves for the upcoming AFCAT exam till 11th January 2021.
Candidates can submit their application forms via online mode by accessing the official AFCAT website or by directly visiting the login page. Candidates have to follow four major steps to complete the application form submission process –
- Registration
- Sign-in and Apply Online
- Upload Scanned Documents
- Pay AFCAT Application Fee
AFCAT Application – Fee Structure
Candidates need to pay the registration/application fee to apply for the examination. Before making a payment, candidates should carefully read all the eligibility criteria. Please note that the application fee amount will not be refunded under any circumstances.
Before filling up the form, candidates are advised to make a duplicate copy and fill it up first. Any mistakes or fields left out accidentally may lead to the rejection of the application form. The fee structure for AFCAT as per candidate categories is as follows:
AFCAT Application Fee Structure
| Category | Application Fees |
| General, OBC, SC, ST, PWBD | Rs. 250/- (non-refundable) |
Note – Candidates who satisfy the eligibility criteria can make the payment through Credit Card/ Debit Card/ Net Banking or Challan Payment while applying for AFCAT 2021. No charges will be implied to fill in the AFCAT online form for the candidates applying for Meteorology Entry and NCC Special Entry.
AFCAT Exam Date – Admit Card
Indian Air Force will make the AFCAT (1) Admit Card available at the official site at least 3 weeks before the exam date. Once the authority announces the admit card release date, candidates can start collecting their AFCAT admit cards by logging into the official AFCAT website. They can avail their AFCAT admit card by using their Registration number and password.
The AFCAT admit card is a crucial document. No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam hall without his/her admit card. Candidates must verify all the information mentioned on the admit card (like exam date, test centre address, time, etc.) and fix the errors (if any) to avoid cancellation of candidature.
AFCAT helpline numbers:
- Toll Free number – 1800-11-2448
- Telephone number – 011 – 23013690 (Direct), 23010231
- Extension – 7610, 7645, 7646
AFCAT Exam Day Guidelines
While appearing for the AFCAT (1) exam, candidates must remember a few points:
- Bring the original admit card on the AFCAT exam date/day
- Carry a colour print of admit card without fail
- Paste a self-attested photograph on the admit card similar to the one submitted in the online application form
- Do not carry valuable items or electronic devices to the exam hall
- Try to reach the exam centre at least an hour before the designated reporting time
- Bring along a valid photo identity (ID of College, Passport, Driving License, Aadhaar Card, Pan Card, Voters ID Card)
- Bring blue/black ballpoint pen and clipboard
Candidates need to carry certain original documents specified below along with the admit card:
- Photo ID Proof
- Photocopy of ID Proof
AFCAT Exam Date – FAQs
What are AFCAT exam dates 2021?
The AFCAT (1) exam is scheduled to be conducted on 20th and 21st February 2021. The date of AFCAT (2) examination is expected to be around September or October 2021.
What is the selection process for the AFCAT exam 2020?
The selection process for the AFCAT exam consists of 2 stages -
- Online exam
- Interview round
Candidates opting for Ground Duty (Technical) branches are required to appear in both AFCAT and Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).
What is the last date to apply online for the AFCAT 2021 exam?
The last date to apply online for the AFCAT 2020 exam is 11th January 2021.
Where can I check the AFCAT exam dates?
Candidates can check the AFCAT exam dates on its official website (https://afcat.cdac.in/) or in form of an official notification (pdf) - https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/assets/images/news/AFCAT_01_2021/Final%20Notification%20AFCAT%2001-2021.pdf
Can I change the exam centre?
No. Candidates cannot change the exam centre after the final submission of the application form.
Is there any negative marking in the AFCAT 2021 exam?
Yes. For every incorrect answer, -1 mark will be deducted.
