Defence entries | as of 2026-05-31
AFCAT eligibility, pattern, syllabus, and official sources
Indian Air Force officer entry through online AFCAT, branch-specific checks, AFSB, and medical.
Eligibility at a glance
| Age | Branch-specific |
|---|---|
| Education | Branch-specific graduation or engineering requirements. |
| Relaxations | As listed in the IAF notification. |
Pattern and selection process
Stages
- AFCAT online test
- EKT where applicable
- AFSB
- Medical and merit
Mode: Online test plus AFSB. Marks: Notice-defined.. Duration: Notice-defined.
Selection flow
- Online exam
- AFSB
- Medical
- Merit
Syllabus outline and cadence
Syllabus buckets
- General awareness
- Verbal ability
- Numerical ability
- Reasoning
- Military aptitude
Comparable exams and hiring routes
| Entity | Education | Age band | Interview | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT | Graduate or engineering by branch | Branch-specific | Yes | Online plus AFSB |
| CDS | Graduate | Academy-specific | Yes | Written plus SSB |
| NDA | Class 12 | DOB-window based | Yes | Written plus SSB |
| Agniveervayu | Class 12 stream-specific | DOB-window based | No | Online plus physical |
| Agniveer Army | 8th to 12th by category | 17.5-21 typical | No | CEE plus rally |
| Agniveer Navy | Class 10 or 12 by entry | DOB-window based | No | INET plus physical |
Sources by field
Each row links a field on this page to the official source it is drawn from. Confirm the current cycle's exact figures on the linked source before you apply.
| Field | Official source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Age eligibility | AFCAT 01/2025 English notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Education | AFCAT 01/2025 English notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Relaxations | AFCAT 01/2025 English notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Exam pattern | AFCAT 01/2025 English notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Syllabus outline | AFCAT 01/2025 English notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Selection process | AFCAT 01/2025 English notification | 2026-05-31 |
| Cadence | Career Air Force notification page | 2026-05-31 |
| FAQ 1 | AFCAT 01/2025 English notification | 2026-05-31 |
| FAQ 2 | AFCAT 01/2025 English notification | 2026-05-31 |
FAQs
Does AFCAT have EKT for every candidate?
EKT applies where the branch or notification requires it. Candidates should verify the current notification.
What comes after the AFCAT online test?
Shortlisted candidates go to AFSB, followed by medical and merit stages.