INDIAN AIRFORCE
AIR
FORCE COMMON ADMISSION TEST (AFCAT- 01/2022) FOR FLYING BRANCH AND GROUND DUTY
(TECHNICAL AND NON-TECHNICAL) BRANCHES/ NCC SPECIAL ENTRY FOR COURSES
COMMENCING IN JANUARY 2023
DETAILS:
INTRODUCTION:
Indian
Air Force invites Indian citizens (Men and Women) to be part of this elite
force as Group A Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and
Non-Technical) branches. Online AFCAT examinationwill be conducted on 12 Feb
22, 13 Feb 22 and 14 Feb 22.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Date for submission of Online Applications: 01 DEC 2021 to 30 DEC 2021
VACANCIES:
ENTRY, BRANCH, COURSE NUMBER AND VACANCIES.
Entry | Branch | PC/ SSC | Course Number | Vacancies* |
AFCAT Entry | Flying | SSC for Men &
Women | 213/23F/SSC/M &
W | SSC – 77 |
Ground Duty
(Technical) {Aeronautical Engineer Electronics and Aeronautical Engineer
Mechanical} | PC for Men and SSC
for Men & Women | 212/23T/PC/102AEC/M
212/23T/SSC/102AEC/M
& W | AE(L) : PC-
19,SSC-76 AE(M): PC-
07,SSC-27 | |
Ground Duty (Non-Technical){Administration
&Education) | PC for Men &
SSC for Men & Women | 212/23G/PC/M 212/23G/SSC/M &
W | Admin: PC-10,SSC-
41 LGS : PC- 08,SSC-31
Accts :
PC-04,SSC-17 | |
NCC Special Entry | Flying | PC for Men &
SSC for Men & Women | 213/23F/PC/M and 213/23F/SSC/M &
W | 10% seats out of
CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC |
Type of
Commission:
(a) Permanent Commission (PC) for Men. Candidates
joining as PC officers would continue to serve till the age of superannuation
in their respective branches as per their rank.
(b)Short Service Commission (SSC) for Men&
Women.
(i)The engagement
period for Flying Branch(Menand Women)SSC Officersis fourteen years from the
date of Commissioning(Nonextendable).
(ii)The initial
tenure forGround Duty (Technical&Non-Technical)SSC Officerswould be for a
period of ten years. An extension of four yearsmay be granted subject to
service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability and
merit.
(iii)Grant of
Permanent Commission (PC) would be considered subject to service requirements,
availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit.
AGE:
(i)Flying Branch through AFCAT and NCC Special
Entry: 20 to 24 years as on 01 January2023i.e. born between 02 January1999to 01 January2003(both
dates inclusive).Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current
Commercial Pilot Licenseissued by DGCA (India) is relax ableupto 26 years i.e.
born between 02 January1997to 01 January2003(both dates inclusive).
(ii) Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical)
Branch: 20 to 26 years as on 01 January 2023 i.e. born between 02 January 1997 to
01 January 2003 (both dates inclusive).
(iii) 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
also not eligible. 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
training period they will neither be provided married accommodation nor can
they live out with family.
Application Fee:
After filling in the online application form, the
examination fee of Rs. 250/- (non-refundable) for AFCAT entry (not
applicable for NCC special entry) may be paid online through the ‘Make Payment’
step on the main menu of the online application. No cash or cheque or demand
draft (DD) will be accepted towards payment of examination fee. The examination
fee can be paid using credit/ debit cards/ net banking through the payment
gateway.
Educational
Qualifications:
(i)
Flying Branch: Candidates should have mandatorily passed with a
minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level and
(a) Graduation with minimum three years degree
course in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60%
marks or equivalent.
OR
(b) BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from a
recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
OR
(c) 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.
(ii)
Ground Duty (Technical) Branch.
Aeronautical
Engineer (Electronics) {AE (L)}: Candidates with a minimum of
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 recognized University OR cleared Sections A and B
examination of Associate Membership of 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 a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
Aeronautical
Engineer (Mechanical) {AE (M)}: Candidates with a minimum of
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 recognised 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.
(iii)
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches.
Administration
& Logistics: 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 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. (ab) Accounts Branch. Passed 10+2 and done graduation in any of the
following streams with 60 % marks or equivalent from a recognized university.
Exam Pattern:
Scheme of Online Examination
All
applicants whose applications are submitted by due date will be called for AFCAT at one of the examination centerson either 12Feb 22 (Friday), 13 Feb 22
(Saturday) and 14Feb 22 (Sunday). It is mandatory for the candidates opting for
Ground Duty (Technical) branch to appear in both AFCAT as well as Engineering
Knowledge Test (EKT).
(I)
Exam Schedule:
The AFCAT (and EKT) will be conducted in two days as per the following schedule:-
Activity | 12 Feb 22(Day 1) | 13 Feb 22(Day 2) | 14 Feb 22(Day 3) | |||
1st Shift | 2nd Shift | 1st Shift | 2nd Shift | 1st Shift | 2nd Shift | |
Candidate
Reporting Time | 07:30
hrs | 12:30
hrs | 07:30
hrs | 12:30
hrs | 07:30
hrs | 12:30
hrs |
Verification
of Admit Card & ID Proof, Photography and Candidate Seating | 07:30-09:30
hrs | 12:30-14:30
hrs | 07:30-09:30
hrs | 12:30-14:30
hrs | 07:30-09:30
hrs | 12:30-14:30
hrs |
Reading
of Instructions by Candidates | 09:30-09:45
hrs | 14:30-14:45
hrs | 09:30-09:45
hrs | 14:30-14:45
hrs | 09:30-09:45
hrs | 14:30-14:45
hrs |
AFCAT | 09:45-11:45
hrs | 14:45
-16:45 hrs | 09:45-11:45
hrs | 14:45
-16:45 hrs | 09:45-11:45
hrs | 14:45
-16:45 hrs |
Break | N/A | 16:45
–17:00 hrs | N/A | 16:45
–17:00 hrs | N/A | 16:45
–17:00 hrs |
Reading
of Instructions by Candidates for EKT | N/A | 17:00
-17:15 hrs | N/A | 17:00
-17:15 hrs | N/A | 17:00
-17:15 hrs |
EKT | N/A | 17:15
-18:00 hrs | N/A | 17:15
-18:00 hrs | N/A | 17:15
-18:00 hrs |
Note:
Candidates will not be permitted to enter the exam centre, under any
circumstance, after the pre-exam verification process has commenced at 07:30
hrs for shift-I and 12:30 hrs for shift-II.
Syllabus:
The
subjects, the time allowed and the maximum marks allotted to each subject will
be as follows:-
Exam | Subject | Duration | No. of Questions | Max Marks |
AFCAT
| General
Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and
Military Aptitude Test | 02
Hours | 100
| 300
|
EKT
[For Candidates with one of the choices as (Technical) Branch] | Mechanical,
Computer Science and Electrical & Electronics | 45
Minutes | 50
| 150
|
(iii)
The Online examination will consist of objective type questions and will be in
English only for both AFCAT and EKT.
Marking Scheme
is as follows:-
·
Three
marks will be awarded for every correct answer.
·
One
mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
·
No
marks for unattempted questions.
Standard and
Syllabus of the Examination:
(i) Syllabus:
·
English:
Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion/ Filling in of correct
word, Synonyms, Antonyms and Testing of Vocabulary, Idioms and Phrases.
·
General
Awareness: History, Geography, Civics, Politics, Current
Affairs, Environment, Basic Science, Defence, Art, Culture, Sports, etc.
·
Numerical
Ability: Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average, Profit
& Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion and Simple Interest, Time &
Distance (Trains/Boats & Streams).
·
Reasoning
and Military Aptitude Test: Verbal Skills and Spatial
Ability.
(ii) Standard:
The standard of Numerical Ability Questions will be of Matriculation level. The
standard of questions in other subjects will be of graduation level (Indian
University).
Physical
Fitness:
Candidates
are advised to be physically fit when you report for SSB in order to be able to
undergo various tests at AFSB. You should aim to achieve an ability to run 01
mile (1.6 kms) in 10 minutes, 10 push ups and 3 chin ups.
Tattoos:
The policy on permanent body tattoos is as follows:-
(i)
Permanent body tattoos are not permitted on any other body part either visible
or non-visible part, except on the Inner face of forearms i.e. from inside of
the elbow to the wrist of both the hands and Reverse side of the palm / back
(dorsal) side of both hands for which a candidate will be required to sign a
Self-declaration Certificate. Small innocuous tattoos that are not prejudicial
to good order and military discipline, are permitted e.g. religious symbols or
names of near and dear ones.
(ii)
Tribes with tattoo marks on the face or body as per their existing customs and
traditions will be permitted on a case to case basis.
Narcotics:
Use/possession of narcotics is banned. Candidate may be tested for presence of
drugs in the body during Medicals and subsequently during training/ service
career as an officer. If candidate is found to be using/ in possession of
narcotics during any time of training/service career, candidate would be
debarred from joining the Indian Air Force or be removed from service if
already joined.
The testing at AFSB would consist
of three stages as given below:-
(i) Stage-I:
Officer Intelligence Rating Test along with Picture Perception and discussion
test will be conducted on the first day. Stage-I test is a screening test and
only those who qualify would undergo subsequent testing. All Stage-I qualified
candidates would be subjected to document check to ascertain their eligibility
for the branches applied for. Candidates who either do not qualify in Stage-I
or do not meet the required eligibility criteria would be sent back on the
first day itself.
(ii) Stage-II:
Psychological test will be conducted on Day 1(Afternoon) and the Group Tests
and Interview would commence after document check for the next five days.
(iii) For Flying Branch:Computerised
Pilot Selection System (CPSS) would be administered to recommended candidates
only. This is once in a lifetime test. Candidates who have failed the CPSS/
PABT in an earlier attempt or a Flight Cadet suspended from flying training at
Air Force Academy will not be eligible.
GENERAL PHYSICAL
ASSESSMENT
Every
candidate to be fit for the Air Force, must conform to the minimum standards
laid down in the succeeding paragraphs. The physical parameters should fall
within the acceptable ranges and should be proportionate.
The
residual effects of old fractures/ injuries are to be assessed for any
functional limitation. If there is no effect on function, the candidate can be
assessed fit. Following categories should be meticulously assessed:
(a) Spine injuries:
Cases of old fractures of spine are unfit. Any residual deformity of spine or
compression of a vertebra will be cause for rejection.
(b) Nerve injuries:
Injuries involving the trunks of the larger nerves, resulting in loss of
function, or neuroma formation, which causes pain significant tingling,
indicate unsuitability for employment in flying duties.
(c) KeloidsThe
presence of large or multiple keloids will be a cause for rejection.
7. (a) Surgical Scars:
Minor well-healed scars for e.g. as resulting from any superficial surgery do
not, per se, indicate unsuitability for employment. Extensive scarring of a
limb or torso that may cause functional limitation or unsightly appearance
should be considered unfit.
(b) Birth Marks:
Abnormal pigmentation in the form of hypo or hyper- pigmentation is not
acceptable. Localized, congenital mole/ naevus, however, is acceptable provided
its size is <10 cm. Congenital multiple naevi or vascular tumours that
interfere with function or are exposed to constant irritation are not
acceptable.
(c) Subcutaneous Swellings:Lipoma
will be considered fit unless the lipoma is causing significant disfigurement/
functional impairment due to the size/ location. Neurofibroma, if single will
be considered fit. Multiple neurofibromas associated with significant
Café-au-lait spots (more than 1.5 cm size or more than one in number) will be
considered unfit.
Cervical Rib:
Cervical rib without any neuro-vascular compromise will be accepted. Meticulous
clinical examination to rule out neuro-vascular compromise should be performed
in such cases. This should be documented in the Medical Board proceedings.
Cranio-facial Deformities:
Asymmetry of the face and head or uncorrected deformities of skull, face or
mandible which will interfere with proper fitting of oxygen mask, helmet or
military headgear will be considered unfit. Major deformities even after
corrective surgery will be considered unfit.
History relating to Operations:
A candidate who has undergone an abdominal operation involving extensive
surgical intervention or partial/ total excision of any organ is, as a rule,
unfit for service . Operation involving the cranial vault with any residual
bony defect will be unfit. Major thoracic operations will make the candidate
unfit.
MEASUREMENTS AND
PHYSIQUE
Chest Shape and Circumference:
The shape of the chest is as important as its actual measurement. The chest
should be well proportioned and well developed. Any chest deformity likely to
interfere with physical exertion during training and performance of military
duties or adversely impact military bearing or are associated with any cardio-pulmonary
or musculoskeletal anomaly are to be considered unfit. Minimum recommended
chest circumference for cadets is 77 cm. The chest expansion should be at least
05 cm for all candidates. For the purpose of documentation, any decimal
fraction lower than 0.5 cm will be ignored, 0.5 cm will be recorded as such and
0.6 cm and above will be recorded as 1 cm.
Height,
Sitting Height, Leg Length and Thigh Length.
Minimum height for Flying Branch
will be 162.5 cm. Acceptable measurements of leg length, thigh length and
sitting height for such aircrew will be as under: –
(a)
Sitting height Minimum – 81.5 cm
Maximum
– 96.0 cm
(b)
Leg Length Minimum – 99.0 cm
Maximum
– 120.0 cm
(c)
Thigh Length Maximum – 64.0 cm
The
minimum height for entry into ground duty branches will be 157.5 cm. For
Gorkhas and individual belonging to North-Eastern regions of India and hilly
regions of Uttarakhand, the minimum acceptable height will be 5 cm less (152.5
cm). In case of candidates from Lakshwadweep the minimum acceptable height can
be reduced by 2 cm (155.5 cm).
Body Weight Parameters
(a)
Male Candidates (except NDA candidates). Ideal weight relative to age and
height is given in Appendix ‘B’ to this notification. The weight will be
rounded off to the nearest 0.5 kg. The maximum permissible variation from the
ideal body weight is ± 1 SD.
(b)
For in-service candidates the criteria of body weight applicable to serving
personnel will be used.
Weights
higher than the prescribed limit will be acceptable only in exceptional
circumstances in case of those candidates where there is documented evidence of
bodybuilding, wrestling and boxing. However, in such cases, the following
criteria will have to be met:
(a)
BMI should be below 27.
(b)
Waist Hip ratio should be below 0.9 for males and 0.8 for females.
(c)
Waist circumference should be less than 94 cm for males and 89 cm for females.
(d)
All biochemical metabolic parameters should be within normal limits.
Physical Standards (For Females)
(a) Height:
The minimum height acceptable for various branches are as follows:-
(i)
Flying Branch – 162.5 cm
(ii)
Other Branches – 152 cm
Note:
For other branches only – For candidates belonging to the North East region or
hilly regions of Uttarakhand, a lower minimum height of 147 cm will be
accepted. In case of candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum acceptable height
will be 150 cm.
(b) Weight:
Weight should conform to the standards given for height and age as given in
Appendix ‘B’ to this notification. Variations upto ± 1SD for female candidates
are acceptable.
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