AFCAT 2021 Eligibility Criteria: Nationality, Age and Educational Qualification

Indian Air Force invites online application for both male and female aspirants to join in flying and ground duty (technical and non-technical) branches through AFCAT 2020. The AFCAT eligibility criteria are different for both of the branches. But the basic criteria is that a candidate should be a citizen of India. 

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Latest Updates:

27 October 2020: IAF has released the stand over AFCAT (2) 2020 result uproar. 

21 October 2020: To select the AFCAT (2) 2020, both the AFSB interview venue and date has been opened. Till 25 October, the candidates can choose the interview venue and date. 

20 October 2020: AFCAT (2) 2020 cut off score and result have been published. In addition, on 20 October 2020, the AFCAT (2) 2020 SSB Interview date has been announced. The AFCAT (2) interview will be held on 20 November 2020.  

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria: At a Glance

Latest Update: On 15 June 2020, IAF AFCAT (II) 2020 Application Form has been published. Hence, for better preparation, the aspirants start to cover AFCAT (II) 2020 Syllabus.   

• AFCAT (August Session) 2020 will be conducted on February 24 and 25 on online mode. 
• AFCAT Application Form will be started from December 1 to December 30, 2019. 
• The syllabus will be of graduation level, except question under the numerical ability section. 

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AFCAT Eligibility Criteria: Age and Marital Status

Flying Branch through AFCAT/ NCC Entry:

• Candidates must be 20 to 24 years as on January 1, 2021.
• The upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable up to 26 years.

Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch:

• Candidates must be 20 to 26 years as on January  1, 2021.

Marital Status:

• Candidates below 25 years of age must be unmarried at the time of commencement of course.
• Widows/Widowers and divorcees (with or without encumbrances) below 25 years of age are not eligible for the exam.
• A candidate who marries subsequent to the date of his application though successful at SSB or medical will not be eligible for training.
• A candidate who marries during the period of training shall be discharged and will be liable to refund all expenditure incurred on him by the Government.
• Married candidates above 25 years of age are eligible to apply but during the training period they will neither be provided married accommodation nor can they live out with family.

AFCAT Educational Qualification

Educational Qualification for various posts is different. Candidates must go through the details given below to know about educational criteria set by IAF.

AFCAT EligibilityCriteria for Flying Duty

• Candidates must have scored a minimum of 60% 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 recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. (OR)
• BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. (OR)
• Cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent

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AFCAT Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty (Technical)

1. Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) {AE (L)}

• A minimum of 60% 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 recognized University (OR)
• Cleared Sections A and B exam of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate membership exam of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in the following disciplines:-​

2. Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) {AE (M)}

• A minimum of 60% 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 recognized university (OR)
• Cleared Sections A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India by actual studies with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in the following disciplines:-

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty (Non-Technical)

The AFCAT eligibility criteria differ as per the departments, the same are listed below:

• Administration & Logistics: Graduate Degree (min. three years degree course) in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent or cleared 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: B.Com Degree (Minimum three years degree course) from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
• Education: MBA/ MCA or MA/ MSc degree in English/ Physics/ Mathematics/ Chemistry/ Statistics/ International relations/ International Studies/ Defence Studies/ Psychology/ Computer Science/ IT/ Management/ Mass Communication/ Journalism/ Public Relation with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate of all papers put together.
• NCC Special Entry (Flying Branch): NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate acquired on or after 01 Jan 17 is mandatory. Candidates should have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 60% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2. Graduates with a minimum of three years degree course in any discipline from a recognized 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 OR Candidates who have cleared 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. 
• Meteorology: Post Graduate Degree in any Science stream/ Mathematics/ Statistics/Geography/Computer Applications/Environmental Science/ Applied Physics/ Oceanography/Meteorology/Agricultural Meteorology/Ecology & Environment /Geophysics/Environmental Biology with minimum of 50% marks in aggregate of all papers put together (Provided Maths and Physics were studied at Graduation Level with a minimum of 55% marks in each).

AFCAT Physical Criteria

To apply for AFCAT, the basic criteria for candidates is to be physically and mentally fit. Candidates are advised to get themselves examined medically before filling AFCAT Application Form, so as to avoid rejections at a later stage. Additionally, candidates must be free from any disease or disability.

Height and Weight AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2020

Below are the height and weight AFCAT 2020 eligibility criteria for male and female candidates for any position of Indian Air Force. Note that the acceptable weight will be ± 10% of the average weight mentioned below

Height and Weight AFCAT Eligibility Criteria for Male Candidate

Height and Weight Eligibility for Female Candidate

Go through and practice the previous years’ AFCAT Practice Sets before the exam

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2020: Medical Fitness Test

To qualify the SSB interview round, the candidates should need to have physical fitness. They should need to perform the below-mentioned fitness exam for qualifying the SSB interview:

1. 10 push-ups
2. 1 mile run in 10 Minutes
3. 3 chin-ups

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2020: Employed Aspirants

If the aspirants are working with any government or government-owned organizations, then they should follow some rules and regulations for applying to AFCAT 2020 exam. These terms and policies are considered as the No-Objection certificate. Go through the following policies to get an idea in a detailed manner:

1. During the time of AFSB testing, the aspirants (both from the government or government-owned industrial section) have to show NOC. The aspirants are bound to show this NOC, irrespective of being a contractual, permanent, or temporary subordinates.
2. The candidature of the applicants might be canceled (even after applied for AFCAT) if the authority receives a withhold grant from the employer. 
3. If the employers are not ready to submit the NOC (due to any reason), then the refusal would be considered in writing format and would be submitted to AFSB.

Who does not get permission to appear for the AFCAT 2020 exam?

1. If the aspirants would fail to qualify the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) or Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) in the first attempt.
2. In case of suspension of flight cadets from the flying training of Air Force Academy.
3. If the aspirants enroll their names in any of the below-mentioned courses earlier, then they do not get permission to apply for AFCAT 2020 exam.
   • Indian Naval Academy
   • National Defence Academy
   • Air Force Academy
   • Indian Military Academy
   • Officer’s Training Academy
   • Chennai and Officers Training Academy Gaya
4. The aspirants, who have debarred by the Defence Ministry (due to holding any kind of commission in the Defence)
5. In case of convicting any criminal offenses, the aspirants are not eligible for applying AFCAT 2020 exam. 

Remember the Important Points

1. After commissioning, the integrated/du
2. al certified aspirants and LLB qualified students can apply for the legal duties of IAF.
3. The aspirants of the final semester/final year or the pursuing students can apply for the exam. They should not have any present backlog. In addition, the aspirants need to get at least 60% marks up to the last semester.
4. If the students have failed the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT)/ Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) in the earlier attempt or if the Flight Cadet got suspension from the flying training at Air Force Academy, then they will not be capable to apply in Flying ranch.
5. If the aspirants were previously admitted in NDA, Indian Military Academy, Indian naval academy, Air Force Academy, Chennai and Officer’s Training Academy, however, if they were removed from the previous grounds due to indiscipline, then they are not eligible to appear in AFCAT Exam.
6. If the candidates hold any criminal charges, cannot apply for the exam.
7. Lastly, if the aspirants have debarred from the Defence Ministry due to holding of any commission in Defence Services, then they will also not be eligible for AFCAT.