Air Force Academy Direct (AFA)

1. 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 examination will be conducted on 20 Feb 21 and 21 Feb 21.

2. Candidates are to ensure their eligibility for the examination, as follows:-
(a) Candidates applying for the examination should ensure that they fulfill all the eligibility conditions for admission to the examination. Their admission at all the stages of examination viz. Written examination and SSB test will be purely provisional, subject to their satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions. If on verification at any time before or after the written examination or AFSB Testing, it is found that they do not fulfil any of the eligibility conditions, their candidature will be cancelled by the IAF.
(b) Mere issue of Admit card/ Call up letter to the candidate will not imply that his/ her candidature has been finally accepted by Indian Air Force.

3.

4. Type of Commission.
(a)Permanent Commission (PC) for Men. CandidatesjoiningasPCofficerswouldcontinuetoservetilltheageofsuperannuationin 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 during the last one year of service subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit.

5. Eligibility Conditions.
(a) Nationality. Candidate must be a citizen of India as per Indian citizenship act, 1955.
(b) Age.
(i)Flying Branch through AFCAT and NCC Special Entry: 20 to 24 years as on 01 January2022i.e. born between 02 January1998to 01 January2002(both dates inclusive).Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licenseissued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 years i.e. born between 02 January1996 to 01 January2002(both dates inclusive).
(ii) Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch: 20 to 26 years as on 01 January 2022 i.e. born between 02 January 1996 to 01 January 2002 (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.
(iv) The date of birth accepted by the IAF is that entered in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate or in a certificate recognised by an Indian University as equivalent to Matriculation or in an extract from a Register of Matriculates maintained by a University, the extract must be certified by the proper authority of the University or in the Higher Secondary or an equivalent examination certificate. No other 3

document related to age like horoscopes, affidavits, birth extracts from Municipal Corporation, service records and likewise will be accepted.
(v) Incase the Matriculation/ Higher Secondary Examination Certificate does not show the date of birth, or only shows the age by completed years or completed years and months. In such cases a candidate must possess a self-attested/ certified copy of a certificate from the Headmaster/ Principal of the Institution from where he/ she passed the Matriculation/ Higher Secondary Examination showing the date of his/ her birth or exact age as recorded in the Admission Register of the Institution.
(vi) Candidates should note that only the Date of Birth as recorded in the Matriculation/ Higher Secondary Examination Certificate or an equivalent certificate on the date of submission of application will be accepted by the IAF and no subsequent request for its change will be considered or granted.
(vii) The candidates should exercise due care while entering their Date of Birth. If on verification at any subsequent stage, variation is found in their date of birth from the one entered in their Matriculation or equivalent examination certificate, will render them disqualified.
(c) 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.
(aa) 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 in the following disciplines:-
(aaa) Communication Engineering.
(aab) Computer Engineering/Technology.
(aac) Computer Engineering & Application.
(aad) Computer Science and Engineering/Technology.
(aae) Electrical and Computer Engineering.
(aaf) Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
(aag) Electrical Engineering.
(aah) Electronics Engineering/ Technology. 4

(aaj) Electronics Science and Engineering.
(aak) Electronics.
(aal) Electronics and Communication Engineering.
(aam) Electronics and Computer Science.
(aan) Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering.
(aao) Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering (Microwave). (aap) Electronics and Computer Engineering.
(aaq) Electronics Communication and Instrumentation Engineering.
(aar) Electronics Instrument & Control.
(aas) Electronics Instrument & Control Engineering.
(aat) Instrumentation & Control Engineering.
(aau) Instrument & Control Engineering.
(aav) Information Technology.
(aaw) Spacecraft Technology.
(aax) Engineering Physics.
(aay) Electric Power and Machinery Engineering.
(aaz) Infotech Engineering.
(aba) Cyber Security.
(ab) 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 in the following disciplines:-
(aaa) Aerospace Engineering.
(aab) Aeronautical Engineering.
(aac) Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.
(aad) Mechanical Engineering.
(aae) Mechanical Engineering and Automation.
(aaf) Mechanical Engineering (Production).
(aag) Mechanical Engineering (Repair and Maintenance).
(aah) Mechatronics.
(aaj) Industrial Engineering.
(aak) Manufacturing Engineering.
(aal) Production and Industrial Engineering.
(aam) Materials Science and Engineering.
(aan) Metallurgical and Materials Engineering.
(aao) Aerospace and Applied Mechanics.
(aap) Automotive Engineering.
(aaq) Robotics
(aar) Nanotechnology
(aas) Rubber Technology and Rubber Engineering.
(iii) Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches.
(aa) 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. 5

(ab) Accounts Branch. Passed 10+2 and done graduation in any of the following streams with 60 % marks or equivalent from a recognized university:-
(aaa) B. Com Degree (Min three years course).
(aab) Bachelor of Business Administration (with specialization in Finance)/ Bachelor of Management Studies (with specialization in Finance)/ Bachelor of Business Studies (with specialization in Finance)
(aac) Qualified CA/ CMA/ CS/ CFA.
(aad) B.Sc. with specialization in Finance.
Note.
(aa) Only those candidates who have given 12th standard in 10+2 pattern of examination are eligible to apply for these courses.
(ab) Two seats are reserved for Law qualified candidates in Ground duty (Non-Tech) branches and these candidates may be employed on legal duties of the IAF (after commissioning).
(ac) In case the candidates are awarded grades/ CGPA instead of marks, the conversion of grades/ CGPA to percentage of marks would be based on the procedure certified by the University from where they have obtained the degree. In case the University does not have any scheme for converting CGPA to percentage conversion certificate, CGPA will be converted into 10 points scale and multiplied by 10 to get equivalent percentage.
(ad) Candidates who are studying in the final year/ semester Degree course and are yet to pass the final year degree examination can also apply provided candidate should not have any present backlog and should have secured a minimum of 60% marks up to the last semester/ year for which results have been declared up to the time of submission of application. They are required to submit proof of passing the Degree Examination by 30 Nov 2021 and no request for extending this date will be entertained on the grounds of late conduct of basic qualifying University Examination, delay in declaration of results or any other ground whatsoever.
(ae)Candidates who have failed the ComputerisedPilot Selection System (CPSS) in an earlier attempt or a Flight Cadet suspended from flying training at Air Force Academy will not be eligible to apply in Flying Branch.
(d) Candidates who were admitted to an earlier course at the National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai and Officer’s Training Academy Gaya but were removed on grounds of indiscipline are ineligible to apply.
(e) Candidates who are debarred by the Ministry of Defence from holding any type of commission in the Defence Services shall not be eligible for AFCAT and if admitted, their candidature will be cancelled.
(f) Candidates who have been convicted on criminal charges and those who are still stuck in a criminal case are not eligible to apply. 6

6. Physical and Medical Standards. Guidelines with regard to physical and medical standards for candidates are as provided in the Appendix ‘A’ to the notification.
7. How to Apply. Aspirants for IAF are required to apply online by using the link https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in, or https://afcat.cdac.in. Aadhaar Card is mandatory for online registration. Detailed instructions for filling in the online application form are appended below:-
(a) Applicants need to exercise utmost care while filling in the online application. In case any information is found to be incorrect, the candidature is liable to be cancelled at any stage of the selection process. Please verify the correctness of information entered in all the fields before proceeding with the “Make Payment” option. Applicants will not be able to edit the previous details entered after the selection of “Course Preferences” step and after the “Make Payment” step.
(b) If an applicant has submitted more than one application, only the latest submitted application form against a particular Aadhaar Number, will be considered for issue of Admit Card. However, the fee deposited while filling additional applications will not be refundable.
(c) Applicants will be required to complete the process of Online Application form which will have the following sequences. Details in tabular form are given in Para 7 (h) below:-
(i) Click “CANDIDATE LOGIN’’ on the Home page- leads to AFCAT Sign-in.
(ii) In the next page, applicants to click “NOT YET REGISTERED? REGISTER HERE”.
(iii) Sign Up: Creation of Log-in ID and applicant will receive a password in his/her registered email id.
(iv) After successful registration, sign-in with registered email id and system generated password.
(v) Reset Password- Log-Out (candidates must remember their login ID and password for future use during the examination process).
(vi) Fresh Log-in.
(vii) Selection of Entry: “AFCAT”; “NCC SPECIAL ENTRY FOR FLYING BRANCH”.
(viii) Click “INSTRUCTIONS”. Read Instructions carefully.
(ix) Acknowledgement of having read and understood instructions- Check box to proceed to next stage. 7

(x) Click “APPLICATION FORM FILLING”
(aa) Personal Information. Fill in details.
Click “SAVE AND CONTINUE” to proceed to next stage
(ab) Qualification Details. Fill in details.
Click “SAVE AND CONTINUE” to proceed to next stage
(ac) Course Preference. Fill in details.
Click “SAVE AND CONTINUE” to proceed to next stage
(ad) Communication Details. Fill in details.
Click “SAVE AND CONTINUE” to proceed to next stage
(ae) Upload Documents. Upload recent Photo, Signature & Thumb Impression (size of each jpg/ jpeg file to be between 10 and 50 kb). Application with inappropriate images will be considered invalid and the candidature will be rejected along with other counterfeit entries, whenever detected at any stage of the selection process.
(af) Exam City Selection. Select from drop-down menu
(ag) Declaration
Click “SAVE AND CONTINUE” to proceed to next stage
(xi) Click “MAKE PAYMENT”- Online (applicable only for AFCAT)
(xii) Click “PAYMENT STATUS” to view whether payment is successful. If Registration Number is displayed, it implies that the payment is successful.
(xiii) For AFCAT Candidates Only: After 05 Feb 21 click “DOWNLOAD ADMIT CARD” to download your Admit Card from the website https://afcat.cdac.in and you will also receive admit card on your registered email ID. If the candidate does not receive his/ her admit card in their registered email id or is not able to download the same from the mentioned website, he/ she is required to enquire from AFCAT Query Cell at C-DAC, Pune. (Phone Nos: 020-25503105 or 020-25503106). E-Mail queries may be addressed to afcatcell@cdac.in.
(d) While filling in the online application, the applicant must ensure that he/ she meets all the eligibility conditions including the educational qualification which must conform to the guidelines/ norms of the relevant educational board/ UGC, as reviewed and updated from time to time. The applicants are advised to keep the relevant documents ready, as details are to be filled in as per matriculation and other educational certificates. The educational qualifications filled by the applicant should correspond to the Entry Level Qualification (ELQ) as given in Para 5 (c) of this notification. If any of the eligibility conditions is not met, the candidature is liable to be rejected at any stage during the selection process and the onus of the same would be on the candidate himself/ herself. With regard to Integrated degree programmes, the following are the prevailing UGC guidelines:- 8

(i) Integrated/ Dual Degree. As per the guiding principles laid down by UGC, if the Integrated/ Dual Degree Programmes intend to offer two separate degrees with an option for interim exit or lateral entry, the duration of the Integrated/ Dual Degree Programme must not be less than the duration equal to the sum total of the prescribed duration of the two degrees that are being combined in the programme. All such programmes should carry the nomenclature of Integrated/ Dual Degree (Name of the first degree) – (Name of the final degree); both the degrees awarded under the programme should be individually and separately recognised as equivalent to corresponding degrees and not as one single integrated degree).
(ii) Integrated Single Degree. If the Integrated Programme intends to offer a single degree without permission to exit and lateral entry, the programme duration may be relaxed by not more than 25% of the sum total of the prescribed duration of the two degrees that are being combined to make the single integrated degree.
(e) Before filling in the online application, an applicant should have the following scanned images saved as jpg/ jpeg files (size of each file to be between 10 and 50 kb)
(i) Recent passport size colour photograph
(ii) Signature
(iii) Thumb impression (left thumb for male applicants and right thumb for female applicants) – created by pressing on ink stamp pad and then on plain blank paper
(f) While filling in the online application form, applicants are required to click “SAVE AND CONTINUE” to complete the process of each part. If the mandatory fields (marked by a red asterisk (*)) are not filled, the “SUBMIT” button would not be enabled for the applicants to click and proceed to the next part of the application form.
(g) Once the “Course Preference” stage is saved, applicants will not be able to edit/ modify previous data in the “Personal Information” and “Qualification details” pages. Only the “Communication Details” page can be edited, if an applicant wishes to do so. After the “Make Payment” step, applicants will be able to check the “Payment Status” as well as “Preview Application”. However, no further changes or correction is possible in the online application form. Thereafter, the only option for an applicant, if an application is to be amended, is to re-register with a different email id and fill the online application form anew. The fee paid, including on any additional online application form(s), will not be refundable.
(h) Examination fee for AFCAT Entry. 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. Applicants are advised to follow the instructions/ steps given on the payment gateway, and also print/keep the transaction details for their records. After confirmation from bank that the payment is received, the “Payment Status” will display “Registration Number” which the candidate may note down for future correspondence. 9

Simultaneously, the candidate will receive a confirmatory sms/ e-mail. This will be followed by Admit Card (with the Hall Ticket Number) which a candidate will receive on his/her registered email ID and which is also downloadable from his/her registered email ID.
(j) Detailed instructions on filling in the online application

AIR FORCE COMMON ADMISSION TEST (AFCAT- 01/2021) FOR FLYING BRANCH AND GROUND DUTY (TECHNICAL AND NON-TECHNICAL) BRANCHES/ NCC SPECIAL ENTRY FOR COURSES COMMENCING IN JANUARY 2022
Date for submission of Online Applications: 01 DEC 2020 to 30 DEC 2020
(Indian Air Force career website https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in or https://afcat.cdac.in)

1. 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 examination will be conducted on 20 Feb 21 and 21 Feb 21.

2. Candidates are to ensure their eligibility for the examination, as follows:-
(a) Candidates applying for the examination should ensure that they fulfill all the eligibility conditions for admission to the examination. Their admission at all the stages of examination viz. Written examination and SSB test will be purely provisional, subject to their satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions. If on verification at any time before or after the written examination or AFSB Testing, it is found that they do not fulfil any of the eligibility conditions, their candidature will be cancelled by the IAF.
(b) Mere issue of Admit card/ Call up letter to the candidate will not imply that his/ her candidature has been finally accepted by Indian Air Force.

3. Entry, Branch, Course Number and Vacancies

Note: There is no intake planned for Meteorology and Education branches for AFCAT 01/2021 for course commencing in January 2022.

4. 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 (Men and Women) SSC Officers is fourteen years from the date of Commissioning (Non extendable).

(ii) The initial tenure for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) SSC Officers would be for a period of ten years. An extension of four years may be granted subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit.

(iii) Grant of Permanent Commission (PC) would be considered during the last one year of service subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit.

5. Eligibility Conditions

(a) Nationality. Candidate must be a citizen of India as per Indian citizenship act, 1955.

(b) Age

(i) Flying Branch through AFCAT and NCC Special Entry: 20 to 24 years as on 01 January 2022 i.e. born between 02 January 1998 to 01 January 2002 (both dates inclusive).Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 years i.e. born between 02 January 1996 to 01 January 2002 (both dates inclusive).

(ii) Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch: 20 to 26 years as on 01 January 2022 i.e. born between 02 January 1996 to 01 January 2002 (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.

(iv) The date of birth accepted by the IAF is that entered in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate or in a certificate recognised by an Indian University as equivalent to Matriculation or in an extract from a Register of Matriculates maintained by a University, the extract must be certified by the proper authority of the University or in the Higher Secondary or an equivalent examination certificate. No other