Defence- AFCAT

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria:

 The Indian Air Force releases AFCAT Age Limit and other eligibility conditions through the official notification. AFCAT, or Air Force Common Admission Test, is conducted twice a year to recruit eligible candidates for the Flying branch and Ground Duty (Technical and non-technical) Branch. The AFCAT age limit for male and AFCAT age limit for female candidates are updated on this page.

Candidates must fulfil the AFCAT eligibility criteria before submitting the online form to avoid cancellation of their candidature. In brief, candidates who have passed 12th standard in Maths and Physics subjects and are at least 20 years old are eligible to apply for the AFCAT Exam. The AFCAT Eligibility includes various components, i.e. AFCAT age limit for ground duty & flying branch, educational qualification, nationality, marital status, and physical and medical standards for male and female aspirants for various branches and posts.

AFCAT Eligibility 

The AFCAT Eligibility for the Flying branch and Ground Duty (Technical and non-technical) Branch is updated through the official AFCAT Notification. All the candidates must fulfil all the AFCAT age limit for flying branch and ground duty before submitting the online application form.

If any aspirant is found ineligible at any recruitment stage, their candidature will be disqualified, and the applications will be rejected immediately. The AFCAT Eligibility Criteria has been decided based on the following parameters.

• AFCAT Age Limit for Male & Female
• AFCAT Educational Qualification
• Nationality & Marital Status

• Physical Standard

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria Overview

The AFCAT Eligibility for female and male candidates will be released through the official notification. Before submitting the online application form, candidates must ensure they fulfil the AFCAT age limit for ground duty and flying branches. Here are the key highlights of the AFCAT eligibility age shared below for the ease of the aspirants.

AFCAT Age Limit 

The AFCAT Age Limit for the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and non-technical) Branch is updated here. Aspirants must note that only the Date of Birth as mentioned in the Matriculation/ Higher Secondary Examination Certificate or an equivalent certificate will be approved by the IAF for AFCAT  Recruitment. The AFCAT Age Limit for male and female candidates is shared below.

AFCAT Age Limit for Flying Branch

The AFCAT Age Limit for Flying Branch will be between 20 to 24 years as of . Those were born between 02 January 2001 to 01 July 2005. However, there will be a relaxation in the upper age limit of up to 26 years for aspirants holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India), i.e. born between 02 July 1999 to 01 July 2005 (both dates inclusive).

AFCAT Age Limit for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch

The AFCAT Age Limit for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch will be between 20 to 26 years are eligible for the post.

AFCAT Eligibility for Female

The AFCAT Eligibility for Female Ground Duty and Flying Branch remains the same for all female aspirants except for minimum acceptable height criteria and other physical requirements. The minimum acceptable height for female candidates for the flying branch will be 162.5 cm, and other branches will be 152 cm.

AFCAT Eligibility 

Candidates must be familiar with AFCAT Eligibility for the Flying branch and Ground Duty (Technical and non-technical) Branch in terms of educational qualification, nationality, marital status, physical standard requirements, etc, as prescribed in the official notification. 

Apart from fulfilling the AFCAT Age Limit, the AFCAT Qualification for the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical) Branch, and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches are discussed below.

AFCAT Eligibility for Flying Branch

Candidates willing to apply for the flying branch must review the AFCAT Eligibility for the Flying Branch to ensure clarity at all recruitment stages. The minimum AFCAT qualification for the flying branch is discussed below.

• Passed with at least 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level And
• Graduation with at least three years of degree course in any discipline from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. OR
• BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognised University with at least 60% marks or equivalent OR
• Passed Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised University with at least 60% marks or equivalent.

AFCAT Eligibility for Ground Duty (Technical) Branch

Candidates willing to apply for the Ground Duty (Technical) branch must check the AFCAT Eligibility for the Ground Duty to avoid rejection of their applications. The minimum AFCAT qualification for the Ground Duty (Technical) branch is discussed below.

Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics)

The AFCAT Eligibility for Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) post is shared below.

1. Candidates must have scored at least 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and at least four years of degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/ Technology from a recognised University. OR 
2. Those who have passed Sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate membership examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies with at least 60% marks or equivalent in the following discipline.

• Applied Electronics & Instrumentation.
• Communication Engineering.
• Computer Engineering/Technology.
• Computer Engineering & Application.
• Computer Science and Engineering/Technology.
• Electrical and Computer Engineering.
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
• Electrical Engineering.
• Electronics Engineering/ Technology.
• Electronics Science and Engineering.
• Electronics.
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Electronics and Computer Science.
• Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering.
• Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering (Microwave).
• Electronics and Computer Engineering.
• Electronics Communication and Instrumentation Engineering.
• Electronics Instrument & Control.
• Electronics Instrument & Control Engineering.
• Instrumentation & Control Engineering.
• Instrument & Control Engineering.
• Information Technology.
• Spacecraft Technology.
• Engineering Physics.
• Electric Power and Machinery Engineering.
• Infotech Engineering.
• Cyber Security.

Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical)

The AFCAT Eligibility for Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) post is shared below.

1. Candidates must have scored at least 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and a minimum of four years degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/Technology from a recognised University. OR 
2. Passed Sections A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India by actual studies with at least 60% marks or equivalent

• Aerospace Engineering.
• Aeronautical Engineering.
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.
• Mechanical Engineering.
• Mechanical Engineering and Automation.
• Mechanical Engineering (Production).
• Mechanical Engineering (Repair and Maintenance).
• Mechatronics.
• Industrial Engineering.
• Manufacturing Engineering.
• Production and Industrial Engineering.
• Materials Science and Engineering.
• Metallurgical and Materials Engineering.
• Aerospace and Applied Mechanics.
• Automotive Engineering.
• Robotics
• Nanotechnology
• Rubber Technology and Rubber Engineering

AFCAT Eligibility for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch

Candidates willing to apply for the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branch must check the AFCAT Eligibility for the Ground Duty to avoid cancellation of their applications. The minimum AFCAT qualification for the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branch is discussed below.

Weapon Systems (WS) Branch

The AFCAT Eligibility for Weapon Systems (WS) Branch post is shared below.

• Must have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level and 
• Graduation with a minimum of three years degree course in any discipline from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. OR
• BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

Administration & Logistics

The AFCAT Eligibility for the Administration& Logistics branch is shared below.

• Passed 10+2 and Graduate Degree (Minimum three years degree course) in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. Or
• Passed section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent

Accounts Branch

The AFCAT Eligibility for the Accounts Branch is shared below.

• Passed 10+2 and graduation in any of the following streams with 60 % marks or equivalent from a recognised university:- 
• B. Com Degree (Min three years course).
• Bachelor of Business Administration (with specialisation in Finance)/ Bachelor of Management Studies (with specialisation in Finance)/ Bachelor of Business Studies (with specialisation in Finance) 
• Qualified CA/ CMA/ CS/ CFA. (aad) B.Sc. with specialisation in Finance

Education

As per the AFCAT Eligibility for the Education Branch, the candidate must have passed 10+2 and Post-Graduation with 50% marks in any discipline, including integrated courses offering PG (Single degree without permission to exit and lateral entry) and with 60% marks in Graduation in any discipline.

Meteorology

The AFCAT Eligibility for the Meteorology Branch is shared below.

Passed 10+2 and B Sc with Physics and Mathematics with at least 60% marks or equivalent or four year Graduation in Engineering/Technology discipline with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in the following streams:-

• Communication Engineering.
• Computer Engineering/Technology.
• Computer Engineering and Application.
• Computer Science and Engineering/Technology.
• Electrical and Computer Engineering.
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
• Electronics Engineering/Technology.
• Electronics Science and Engineering.
• Electronics.
• Electronics and Communication Engineering.
• Electronics and Computer Science.
• Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering.
• Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering (Microwave).
• Electronics Communication and Instrumentation Engineering.
• Information Technology.
• Mechanical Engineering

AFCAT Eligibility Nationality and Marital Status

Apart from the AFCAT Age limit, candidates must also check the nationality and marital status requirements to be considered eligible for the post. Here is the AFCAT Eligibility regarding nationality and marital status for both male and female candidates shared below.

• The candidate should be a citizen of India as per the Indian Citizenship Act, of 1955.
• Candidates must be unmarried during the course commencement, and marriage is prohibited during training. 
• Anyone who marries during the training period shall be discharged and liable to refund all expenses incurred by the Government.

AFCAT Eligibility Physical Standards, Height, Weight

All interested candidates should review branch-wise AFCAT height and weight and physical standard requirements for male and female aspirants. Check the acceptable measurements of leg length, thigh length and sitting height as per the AFCAT Eligibility for Flying Branch and Ground Duty below.

• For male candidates, the minimum acceptable height will be 5 cm less (152.5 cm) for Gorkhas and individuals from the North-Eastern regions of India and hilly regions of Uttarakhand.  In the case of aspirants from Lakshadweep, the minimum acceptable height can be reduced by 2 cm (155.5 cm).
• For female candidates, the lower minimum height of 147 cm will be accepted for candidates from the North East region or hilly regions of Uttarakhand. In the case of aspirants from Lakshadweep, the minimum acceptable height will be 150 cm.