Complete Guide to AFCAT 2025 Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus, and More

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to recruit eligible candidates for Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Held twice a year, AFCAT is the gateway for aspirants looking to serve in the Indian Air Force as commissioned officers. The exam evaluates candidates on their general awareness, reasoning, verbal ability, numerical ability, and military aptitude.

AFCAT is a vital opportunity for graduates who are passionate about a career in the defense forces and want to serve the country with honor and dedication.

Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT 2025

1. Nationality:
Candidate must be a citizen of India.

2. Age Limit:

Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years as on 01 January 2026 (born between 02 January 2002 to 01 January 2006).

Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years as on 01 January 2026.

3. Educational Qualification:

Flying Branch: Graduation with minimum 60% marks in any discipline with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or B.E/B.Tech with 60% marks.

Ground Duty (Technical): B.E/B.Tech with minimum 60% in relevant disciplines.

Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Graduation with 60% in any discipline; specific posts may have additional requirements.

4. Marital Status:
Candidates below 25 years must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course.

Important Dates for AFCAT 2025

These are tentative dates based on previous trends. Official dates will be announced in the AFCAT 2025 notification.

Notification Release: June 2025

Application Start Date: First week of June 2025

Application End Date: Last week of June 2025

Admit Card Release: First week of August 2025

AFCAT 2025 Exam Date: Second week of August 2025

Result Declaration: September 2025

AFCAT 2025 Exam Pattern

AFCAT consists of two parts: the AFCAT written exam and the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) for candidates applying for technical branches.

1. AFCAT Written Exam:

Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)

Duration: 2 hours

Number of Questions: 100

Total Marks: 300

Subjects Covered:

General Awareness

Verbal Ability in English

Numerical Ability

Reasoning and Military Aptitude

2. EKT (Only for Technical Candidates):

Duration: 45 minutes

Number of Questions: 50

Total Marks: 150

Subjects Covered: Based on engineering discipline (Mechanical, Computer Science, Electrical, etc.)

Marking Scheme:

+3 for each correct answer

-1 for each incorrect answer

No marks for unanswered questions

AFCAT 2025 Syllabus Highlights

1. General Awareness:
History, Geography, Civics, Politics, Current Affairs, Environment, Basic Science, Sports, Art & Culture, Defense-related knowledge.

2. Verbal Ability in English:
Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion, Synonyms & Antonyms, Vocabulary, Idioms and Phrases.

3. Numerical Ability:
Decimal, Fraction, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Simple Interest & Compound Interest, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Average.

4. Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test:
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Ability, Pattern Recognition.

5. EKT (For Technical Branch):
Engineering Mathematics, Applied and Engineering Physics, Engineering Drawing, Fundamentals of Electrical/Electronics/Computer Science/Mechanical Engineering (as per branch).

How to Apply for AFCAT 2025: Step-by-Step Process

Visit the official AFCAT registration portal.

Click on “Candidate Login” and then “Register as a new user.”

Fill in personal, academic, and communication details as required.

Upload scanned images of photograph, signature, and thumb impression.

Select your preference for branch and course.

Pay the application fee (expected to be Rs. 250 for all candidates).

Verify all details and click on submit.

Download the confirmation page and take a printout for future reference.

Tips for Preparation for AFCAT 2025

Understand the syllabus thoroughly. Know which sections carry more weight and plan accordingly.

Practice mock tests regularly. This helps in understanding the exam pattern and improves time management.

Read newspapers daily to stay updated with current affairs.

Focus on English and reasoning. These sections are scoring if practiced well.

Revise technical subjects regularly if appearing for EKT.

Use standard AFCAT preparation books and rely on verified study material.

Take care of your physical and mental health. A calm mind performs better under pressure.

Start early. Give yourself at least 3–4 months for preparation with a proper timetable.

FAQ for afcat 2025 exam date

Q1. When will the AFCAT 2025 exam be held?
AFCAT 2025 is tentatively scheduled for the second week of August 2025.

Q2. When will the AFCAT 2025 notification be released?
The official notification for AFCAT 2025 is expected to be released in June 2025.

Q3. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 2025?
The application process is expected to close by the last week of June 2025.

Q4. Is there a negative marking in AFCAT 2025?
Yes, one mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer.

Q5. Can final-year students apply for AFCAT 2025?
Yes, final-year students can apply provided they can submit proof of passing the degree by the date specified in the notification.

Q6. How many times can one appear for the AFCAT exam?
There is no limit on the number of attempts, as long as you meet the age and eligibility criteria.

Q7. Do I need to appear for EKT as well?
EKT is required only for candidates applying to the Technical Branch.

Q8. What is the mode of the AFCAT 2025 exam?
The exam will be conducted in online mode (computer-based test).

By following this detailed guide, aspirants can confidently prepare for the AFCAT 2025 exam and move one step closer to joining the Indian Air Force. Stay focused, plan strategically, and begin your preparation early.