AFCAT 2026 Question Paper with Answer Key; PDF Download
AFCAT 2026 is conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) twice a year to recruit officers for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. AFCAT 1 2026 was held on 31 January 2026, and AFCAT 2 2026 was held on 8 August 2026. Download AFCAT 2026 memory-based question papers and answer keys from the table below.
AFCAT 2 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF
AFCAT 1 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF
| Question Paper PDF | Answer Key PDF |
|---|---|
AFCAT 1 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF (Jan 31, 2026) (Shift 1) |
Download PDF |
AFCAT 2026 Highlights
Candidates should note the key details of both AFCAT 2026 cycles before downloading the question papers and answer keys.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Date | 31 January 2026 |
| AFCAT 2 2026 Exam Date | 08 August 2026 |
| Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Total Questions | 100 (AFCAT) + 50 (EKT, technical candidates only) |
| Total Marks | 300 (AFCAT) + 150 (EKT) |
| Marking Scheme | 3 marks for a correct answer, 1 mark deducted for a wrong answer, 0 for unattempted |
| Language | English only |
AFCAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The AFCAT 2026 exam consists of 100 questions across four sections, to be completed within two hours, with no sectional time limit. Candidates applying for Ground Duty (Technical) branches must also appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).
| Section | Questions (approx.) | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 |
| Verbal Ability in English | 25 | 75 |
| Numerical Ability | 18 | 54 |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude | 32 | 96 |
| Total (AFCAT) | 100 | 300 |
EKT (Ground Duty Technical only): The test consists of 50 questions for 150 marks, with a duration of 45 minutes. The marking scheme awards 3 marks for each correct answer and deducts 1 mark for each incorrect answer. Check the complete marking scheme and section-wise distribution on the AFCAT Exam Pattern page.
EKT (Ground Duty Technical only): 50 questions, 150 marks, 45 minutes, no negative marking, held right after AFCAT. Check the complete marking scheme and section split on AFCAT exam pattern.
AFCAT Important Topics
These topics appeared often in AFCAT 2026 and earlier cycles and carry the highest practice value across the four sections.
- General Awareness: current affairs from the last six months, Defence and Military, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Sports, International Organisations.
- Verbal Ability: Reading Comprehension, Error Detection, Synonyms and Antonyms, Idioms and Phrases, Cloze Test, Sentence Rearrangement.
- Numerical Ability: Percentage, Time and Work, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Averages, Simple and Compound Interest, Time and Distance.
- Reasoning and Military Aptitude: Analogy, Coding and Decoding, Odd One Out, Verbal reasoning, Rotated and embedded figures, Spatial ability.
Check the complete section-wise topic list on AFCAT syllabus.
| AFCAT Previous Year Question Paper | |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Question Paper 2016 | AFCAT Question Paper 2015 |
| AFCAT Question Paper 2014 | AFCAT Question Paper 2013 |
AFCAT Expected Cut Off and Selection
Clearing the AFCAT written exam cutoff is only the first stage of selection. Qualified candidates proceed to the AFSB interview and medical examination. Recent AFCAT cutoffs have varied across exam cycles, with the cutoff dropping from 165 in AFCAT 1 2022 to around 137 in 2024 and 121 in 2025.
- AFCAT 1 2022 written cutoff was 165 out of 300.
- AFCAT 2024 cutoff was around 137.
- AFCAT 2025 cutoff was around 121.
The expected qualifying ranges vary by branch and exam cycle. Candidates should check the official cutoff for the relevant cycle rather than rely on branch-wise estimates. A higher written score may improve the chances of qualifying, but it does not guarantee final selection.
The AFCAT selection process includes the following stages:
- Online Written Test: Candidates appear for AFCAT, with EKT for applicable Ground Duty (Technical) candidates.
- AFSB Interview: Shortlisted candidates undergo Stage I and Stage II assessments, including psychological tests, group tasks, and a personal interview.
- Document Verification and Medical Examination: Candidates undergo eligibility checks and medical assessments.
- Final Merit List and Joining: Final selection depends on merit, eligibility, medical fitness, and the availability of vacancies.
Best Books for AFCAT Preparation
The right books help candidates prepare for all four sections and practise memory-based questions under timed conditions with negative marking.
| Subject | Recommended Book | Author / Publication |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Guide | AFCAT Common Admission Test Guide | Arihant Experts |
| General Awareness | General Knowledge | Lucent |
| Verbal Ability | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) |
| Numerical Ability | Quantitative Aptitude | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Reasoning | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Practice | AFCAT Previous Year Papers and Mock Tests | Arihant / Pearson |
Solving AFCAT previous year question papers helps candidates understand the exam pattern, practise memory-based questions, and improve time management under negative marking. Candidates can practise year-wise papers to assess their accuracy and preparation level. After completing the previous year papers, attempt a full-length AFCAT mock test to practise answering questions within the allotted time and become familiar with the online exam format.
| Relevant Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Admit Card | AFCAT Result | AFCAT Study Material |
| AFCAT Eligibility | AFCAT Salary | AFCAT Application Proess |
AFCAT 2026 Question Paper FAQs
Ques: Are AFCAT 2026 question papers official or memory based?
Ans: The Indian Air Force does not release complete official AFCAT question papers publicly. Available papers are often memory-based, reconstructed from candidates' recollections, and may not include every question asked in the exam.
Ques: Do AFCAT previous year questions repeat in the exam?
Ans: Exact questions rarely repeat, but question types, topic weightage, and difficulty levels may remain similar across exam cycles. Practising previous year papers helps improve speed and accuracy.
Ques: Can candidates view their own AFCAT question paper and the answer key after the exam?
Ans: The availability of question papers, recorded responses, and answer keys depends on the Indian Air Force's instructions for the relevant exam cycle. Candidates should check official notifications for access and objection procedures.
Ques: Is there a separate previous year paper for the EKT?
Ans: Yes. Ground Duty (Technical) candidates take the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT), which covers engineering subjects relevant to the test, such as Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical and Electronics. EKT preparation is separate from AFCAT preparation.
Ques: Do old AFCAT papers help with General Awareness if it is current affairs heavy?
Ans: Yes. Previous year papers help candidates practise static GK, defence, history, and polity questions. For current affairs, candidates should also study recent news and important developments from the months
Download the PREPP App and attempt FREE AFCAT Mock Tests and get complete study material!
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