AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024, Age Limit, Qualification

Criteria	Requirements
(A) Nationality	The candidate must be a citizen of India as per the Indian citizenship act, 1955.
(B) Age Limit	Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years as of 01 January 2025 (born between 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2005, inclusive). Upper age limit for candidates with a valid Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years (born between 02 January 1999 to 01 January 2005, inclusive). – Ground Duty (Technical/ Non-Technical) Branches: 20 to 26 years as of 01 January 2025 (born between 02 January 1999 to 01 January 2005, inclusive). Candidates below 25 years of age must be unmarried. Widows/Widowers and divorcees below 25 years are not eligible.
(C) Educational Qualification	Flying Branch: Minimum 50% marks in physics and mathematics at 10+2 level and a three-year graduation degree OR a BE/BTECH degree with a minimum of 60% from a recognized university. OR Qualified Aeronautical Society of India or section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.  OR BE/B Tech degree from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty (Technical) Branch

(i)Aeronautical engineering (Electronics) (AE(L)):

Minimum 50% marks each in physics and mathematics at 10+2 level and a degree in graduation/post-graduation in the field of engineering and technology from a recognized university.

OR

Those who have cleared the examination of associate membership of the institution of engineers (India) in both A and B section, with a minimum of 60% in the following disciplines :

• Communication engineering
• Computer engineering/technology
• Computer engineering & application
• Electrical and computer engineering
• Electrical and electronics engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Electronics engineering/technology
• Electronics science and engineering
• Electronics
• Electronics and communication engineering
• Electronics and computer science
• Electronics and/or telecommunication engineering
• Electronics and/or telecommunication engineering(Microwave)
• Electronics and computer engineering
• Electronics communication and instrumentation engineering
• Electronics instrument and control
• Electronics instrument and control engineering
• Instrumentation and control engineering
• Instrument and control engineering
• Information technology

(ii)Aeronautical engineering (Mechanical) (AE(M)):

Minimum 50% marks each in physics and mathematics at 10+2 level and a four-year degree in graduation/integrated or post-graduation in the field of engineering and technology from a recognized university.

OR

Those who have cleared the examination of associate membership of the institution of engineers (India) in both A and B section, with a minimum of 60% in the following disciplines :

• Aerospace Engineering
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering and Automation
• Mechanical Engineering (Production)
• Mechanical Engineering (Repair and Maintenance)
• Mechatronics
• Industrial Engineering

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches

Indian Air Force invites Online applications for the courses commencing in January 2024 for grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) in Flying Branch and Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches. Online applications are invited for grant of PC/ SSC for the NCC Special Entry Scheme (For flying branch) and for Meteorology Entry.

Branch	Minimum Education Qualification
Administration Branch	Graduate Degree (3 years degree course) in any discipline with 60% marks from a recognized university 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.
Logistic Branch	Graduate Degree (3 years degree course) in any discipline with 60% marks from a recognized university 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.
Accounts Branch	B.Com degree (3 years degree course) with a minimum of 60% marks from a recognized university or equivalent.
Education Branch	Passed 10+2 and Post-Graduation with 50% in any discipline including integrated courses offering PG (Single degree without permission to exit and lateral entry) and with 60% marks in Graduation in any discipline.
	For integrated courses (single degree without permission to exit and lateral entry), the minimum duration must be as per prevailing UGC guidelines with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate of all papers put together.
Meteorology Branch	Post Graduation Degree in any science stream/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Geography/ Computer Applications/ Environmental Science/ Applied Physics/ Oceanography/ Agricultural Meteorology/ Ecology & Environment/ Geo-physics/ Environmental Biology.
	All candidates should have scored a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in all papers of Post Graduation put together (provided Maths & Physics were studied at Graduation level with a minimum of 55% marks in both).

AFCAT Physical Standards

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has strict physical and mental fitness requirements for candidates applying for the AFCAT examination. To avoid potential disqualification later in the selection process, the IAF strongly recommends that candidates undergo a medical examination before submitting their online application form. It is crucial for candidates to be free from any medical conditions or disabilities.

The basic physical fitness standards are consistent across all branches of the IAF, except for the Aircrew branch, which imposes stricter criteria for visual acuity, anthropometry, and certain other physical parameters.

• Physical Training: Candidates should actively engage in physical training, including running, skipping, push-ups, and sit-ups, to maintain optimal physical fitness. A suggested training schedule is provided:
• Skipping: One set
• Push-ups and Sit-ups: One set of each, with 20 repetitions for each exercise
• Chin-ups: 8 repetitions
• Running: 4 kilometers within 15 minutes
• Rope Climbing: 3-4 meters
• Swimming: 25 meters
• Physical Fitness Standards: Upon reporting for the SSB interview, candidates must demonstrate the ability to run 1.6 kilometers, perform 10 push-ups, and execute 3 chin-ups.
• Prior Physical Preparation: It is highly recommended that candidates ensure they achieve the required physical fitness level before reporting for the SSB interview to effectively participate in the Air Force Selection Board’s various tests.

(i) Candidates should be medically fit as prescribed standards.
(ii) Non-reporting of candidates on the allotted date and venue may cancel their candidature.
(iii)Unfit candidates will be given a time period of 42 days to get fit as per the prescribed standard after that if they do not meet the requirements they will be permanently rejected for the post.