Indian Air Force AFCAT registrations for 2022 Flying and Ground Duty branches

Looking for the notification of IAF Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2021? This article provides complete information on AFCAT, which provides entry for those who wish to join the Indian Air Force for Flying or Ground Duty for the January 2022 batches. Details of the Branches, eligibility requirements, AFCAT test format, and the online application procedure for AFCAT have been provided.

The Indian Air Force has issued a notification for the Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2021 and NCC Special entry for Flying and Ground Duty Branches for the courses that will begin in January 2022. The last date to submit applications has been extended from 30th December 2020 to 11th January 2021. Only citizens of India can apply. You are required to submit the Aadhaar Card for registration and the PAN Card and an account in SBI or any Nationalised Bank is mandatory at the time of joining the Indian Air Force Academy.

[Image source: print advt. in HT, Mumbai, 20th December 2020]

Overview

The courses are for grant of (i) Short Service Commission (SSC) in Flying Branch and (ii) Permanent Commission (PC); Short Service Commission (SSC) in (i) Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches; as also for grant of PC/SSC for NCC Special Entry Scheme for the flying branch.

Those who are selected to join on Permanent Commission will serve till the age of superannuation in the branch they are in, as per their rank. For Short Service Commission of the Flying Branch, the Officers will serve for 14 years from the date of Commissioning, with no extensions. For Short Service Commission for Ground Duty (technical and non-technical), the initial tenure is 10 years, this possibly extended for four years depending on requirements and merit. SSC Officers may be considered for PC for one year, depending on requirements and merit. Those who are Air Wing Senior Division 'C' Certificate holders of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) are eligible to apply to the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force.

On selection (for all courses) you will begin training in the first week of January 2022 at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal (Hyderabad). Duration: 74 weeks for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) Branches, and 52 weeks for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches at Air Force training units.

Flight Cadets will receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month during one year of training and for a Flying Officer, the Pay on Commissioning (as per 7th CPC) is in the Defence Matrix Rs. 56100 -177500 of Level-10 with MSP Rs. 15500. Refer to the official notification for information on other allowances, privileges, etc.

IAF Branches

Through AFCAT entry

There are three branches, Flying branch, Ground Duty technical branch and Ground Duty non-technical branch.

Flying Branch (course no. 211/22F/SSC/M & W): There are 69 seats for Short Service Commission (SSC) for both men and women.

Ground Duty-Technical Branch: For Permanent Commission for Men only (PC) (course no. 210/22T/PC/100 AEC/ M) and for Short Service Commission for both men and women (course no. 210/22T/SSC/ 100AEC/M & W). For Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) there 27 PC seats and 40 SSC seats. For Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) there are 12 for PC and 17 for SSC.

Ground Duty-Non-Technical Branch: For Permanent Commission (PC) for Men only (course no. 210/22G/PC/M) and for Short Service Commission for both men and women (course no. 210/22G/SSC/M). The breakup is as follow- (i) Admin.: 12 for PC and 19 for SSC; (ii) Accounts: 6 for PC and 10 for SSC; (iii) Logistics: 9 for PC and 14 for SSC.

NCC Special Entry

The Flying branch offers PC for men (course no. 211/22F/PC/M) and SSC for both men and women (course no. 211/22F/SSC/M & W). The breakup is: 10% of Combined Defence Services Exam (CDSE) are for PC and 10% of AFCAT are for SSC.

Note: The numbers as stated above may possibly change on the basis of requirements of the organization, the training slots available, and the positions available in Jan 2022. Also, two seats are reserved from Ground Duty (Non-Technical) for law-qualified candidates.

Eligibility requirements

Marital status

Those who are below 25 years of age should be unmarried at the time when the course begins. Widows/Widowers and divorcees (with or without encumbrances) below 25 years of age are ineligible to apply.

Age criteria

For the Flying Branch: You must be 20 to 24 years as on 1st January 2022, that is, born between 2nd January 1998 to 1st January 2002 (both dates inclusive). If you are holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot License (CPL) that has been issued by DGCA (India), then the age will be relaxed up to 26 years, that is,. born between 2nd January 1996 to 1st January 2002 (both dates inclusive).

For Ground Duty (both technical and non-technical) Branches: 20 to 26 years as on 1st January 2022, that is, born between 2nd January 1996 to 1st January 2002 (both dates inclusive).

Educational Qualifications

For the Flying Branch

In the case of CDSE (Men only for PC): You should be a Graduate (through a three-year course) in any discipline from a recognised University, with Physics and Maths at the 10+2 level/B.E./B.Tech. (four-year course). Minimum qualifying marks for all is 60%. If you are in the final year/final semester, you are eligible to apply on the condition that you produce the Degree certificate issued by the University as per the date required. No Percentage Bar for CDSE entry.

In the case of SSC (for both men and women): You should be a Graduate (three-year course) in any discipline from a recognised University with at least 60% marks or equivalent or B.E./B.Tech. (four-year course) from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. Additionally, you should have a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths & Physics at the 10+2 level. Professional requirement: You should have cleared Section A & B exam of the Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or the Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. Final year students can apply on condition there is no backlog at the time of AFSB Testing and can produce the Degree certificate issued by the University as per the required date.

In the case of NCC Special Entry: Same as above for SSC, but also mandatorily required - NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' certificate and validity of the certificate should be two years before the date of the current notification.

For Ground-Duty Technical Branch: Engineering Degree with a minimum of 60% marks in Aeronautical Engineering/Mechanical Engineering (please see the list of acceptable streams in the official notification). Final year students with no backlogs and able to produce the Degree certificate as per the required date can also apply.

For Ground-Duty Non-Technical Branch

For Administration Branch: Graduate Degree (three-year course) in any discipline from a recognised university with 60% marks or equivalent or cleared section A & B exam 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.

For Accounts Branch: You should have passed 10+2 and have a B.Com. degree (minimum three-year degree course) from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. Other acceptable qualifications are: (i) Bachelor of Business Administration (with specialization in Finance)/Bachelor of Management Studies (with specialization in Finance)/Bachelor of Business Studies (with specialization in Finance)' (ii) Qualified CA/CMA/CS/CFA; (iii) B.Sc. with specialization in Finance.

For Logistics Branch: Same as for Admin. Branch. Know more about Logistics Courses in India

For medical and physical standards, refer to the official website of the Indian Air Force.

How to apply

Applications will be accepted in online mode only through the 'Candidate Login' tab through the Careers with IAF official website or at the AFCAT portal. Note that an Aadhaar Card is mandatory for online registration.

After filling in personal details and qualifications, you have to select the course preference, provide details for communication, and upload the requisite documents (scan them and keep them ready before going online to register), namely, (i) A recent photo, (ii) Signature, and (iii) Thumb Impression which you have to make by pressing your thumb on an ink stamp pad and then on to a plain blank paper (left thumb for male applicants and right thumb for female applicants). Note that each of these three should be in jpg or jpeg file format and size should be between 10 and 50 kb only. Next, check the box for 'Declaration' and then select the city for the exam (you can make up to five choices).

Only those applying through AFCAT entry (not NCC entry) have to pay the non-refundable application fee of Rs.250/-.

About AFCAT

Those seeking to join for the Technical Ground Duty branch must appear for AFCAT as well as for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). Both will be in English medium only, with Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ). Each correct answer will be awarded three marks, and each incorrect answer will get a deduction of one mark. Refer to the official notification to know the syllabus for each section of the tests. Practice tests will also be available at the official websites.

AFCAT is of two hours' duration, with 100 questions carrying a total of max.300 marks. Sections: General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test.

EKT is of 45 minutes' duration, with 50 questions carrying a total of max. 150 marks. Sections: Mechanical, Computer Science and Electrical & Electronics.

At the exam centre

Along with a blue or black ballpoint pen to sign the attendance sheet and to use for rough work, ensure that you bring with you the following-

The e-Admit Card for AFCAT 01/2021.

Your Aadhar Card.

Other than Aadhaar card, any valid photo identity card. This could be the PAN card or passport or driving licence or voter identity card or college identity card or any other valid photo-ID but must have details of your name, father's name, date of birth and a clear photo.

Two passport size colour photos, which must be the same as the photo that you uploaded during the online application. One should be pasted (not stapled) on the Admit Card next to the printed photo and one on the attendance sheet at the exam centre.

Important dates

Last date to register and submit applications online: 11th January 2021.
Download of Admit Card for AFCAT-entry candidates: 5th February 2021 onwards.

AFCAT 2021 schedule
20th February 2021 First shift: 9.45a.m. to 11.45 a.m..
Reporting time: 8 a.m.
Verification of documents and other processes: 8 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. (strictly no entry is allowed once this begins).

20th February 2021 Second shift: 2.15 p.m. to 4.15p.m.
Reporting time: 12.30 noon.
Verification of documents and other processes: 12.30 noon. To 2 p.m. (strictly no entry is allowed once this begins).

On Day 2, which is 21st February 2021, the two shifts will be the same as above. First shift: 8 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.

Candidates will first be required to read the instructions, from 9.30 a.m. to 9.45 a.m. for the first shift and from 2 p.m. to 2.15 p.m. for the second shift. The exam will then begin at 9.45 a.m. for the first shift and at 2.15 p.m. for the second shift.

EKT schedule: The exam will be from 4.30 p.m. to 5.15 p.m. (only one session) on both dates, 15 minutes prior to which candidates will read the instructions.

Admit Card: AFCAT candidates have to log in and download the Admit Card after 5th February 2021. This Admit Card will also be sent on the registered email ID. In case of any problems in downloading or non-receipt via email, You can contact AFCAT Query Cell at C-DAC, Pune on Ph. 020-25503105 or 020-25503106. E-Mail queries can be sent to - afcatcell@cdac.in.

Contact information

For queries related to the application process, eligibility, allotment of AFSB centres, date of AFSB interview, merit list, joining instructions, and any other relevant information regarding the selection process, you can call Ph. 011-23010231 Extn: 7610 or Toll-free number 1800-11-2448. Timings to call: 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday to Friday, except closed holidays).

Useful links-
Registration: https://afcat.cdac.in/afcatreg/
AFCAT Guidelines: https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/guideline.html
Website: https://careerindianAir Force.cdac.in/ or https://afcat.cdac.in.