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.

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:-

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:-

(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.