AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024: Age, Educational Qualification

AFCAT eligibility criteria 2024 has been released by the Indian Air Force and is based on various parameters. Aspirants who intend to fill out the AFCAT application form 2024 must meet the age, educational qualification, nationality, and medical standards requirements.

Age, educational qualification, country, and medical standard are all factors in AFCAT exam eligibility criteria 2024. According to eligibility criteria, candidates' AFCAT age limit should be between 20 and 24 years old, and the educational qualification required for this exam is graduation.

The purpose of AFCAT 2024 is to select applicants for Commissioned Officer positions in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Candidates are advised to check their AFCAT 2024 eligibility before applying for the exam. All the AFCAT 2 2024 eligibility criteria set by the conducting authorities have been discussed on this page, in-depth.

Table of Contents

• AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024
• AFCAT Eligibility Age Limit 2024
• AFCAT 2024 Flying Branch Eligibility (Graduate Qualification)
• AFCAT 2024 Ground Duty (Technical Branch) Eligibility
• AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 for Medical and Physical Standards
• AFCAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria for Visual Standards
• AFCAT Application Form 2024

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024

Candidates can read below to find out about the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2024 for each branch [Technical, Non-technical and Flying branch] relevant to the exam. The eligibility criteria aspects include physical standards, AFCAT educational qualifications, and age limitations.

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024

AFCAT Educational Qualification	Candidates must have passed 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. Candidates appearing for their final exams can also apply.
AFCAT Nationality	Candidates must be a citizen of India

AFCAT Eligibility 2024: Nationality & Marital Status

The following nationalities and marital statuses are eligible for AFCAT 2024:

• Candidates must be Indian citizens.
• Candidates must be under the AFCAT age of 25 and unmarried.
• Widows/widowers and divorcees (with or without encumbrances) under 25 are likewise ineligible.
• Married applicants over 25 may apply. However, they will not be provided separate housing for their spouse during training. 

AFCAT Eligibility Age Limit 2024

Candidates must be Indian citizens to follow the AFCAT 2 2024 exam eligibility. The exam is open to both unmarried male and female candidates. 

AFCAT Branches 2024	AFCAT 2024 Age Limit
Flying Branch	20 to 24 years as of Jan 1, 2024
Commercial Pilot Licence granted by the DGCA (India)	26 years as of Jan 2, 1998, and Jan 1, 2004
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical)	20 and 26 years as of Jan 1, 2024

AFCAT 2024 Flying Branch Eligibility (Graduate Qualification)

AFCAT 2024 eligibility criteria of the flying branch for CDSE, NCC Special Entry and SSC is given below, as per the category of the examination. 

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 for CDSE (Combined Defence Service Examination)

The AFCAT 2024 eligibility criteria for the Combined Defence Service Examination is stated below.

• AFCAT Qualification: Candidates must have passed a Bachelor's Degree (Arts & Science and Engineering) in any discipline with Physics and Mathematics as a mandatory subject in 10+2 level
• Age Limit: Candidates must be 20 to 24 years in order to fulfil the AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 (at the time of commencement of course)
• AFCAT Nationality: Must be an Indian Citizen
• AFCAT Marital Status: Single
• AFCAT Gender: Male candidates only

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 for NCC Special Entry

The AFCAT exam eligibility criteria for NCC special entry candidates is mentioned below.

• AFCAT Qualification
  • Candidates must have passed a Bachelor's Degree (Arts & Science and Engineering) in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks in graduation level with Physics and Mathematics as a mandatory subject in 10+2 level.
  • Cleared Section A & B Examination of Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
• AFCAT Age Limit: Candidates must be 20 to 24 years in order to fulfil the AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 (at the time of commencement of the course). The upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years (at the time of commencement of the course).
• AFCAT Nationality: Must be an Indian Citizen
• AFCAT Marital Status: Single
• AFCAT Gender: Male and Female candidates who fulfil the other AFCAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria 

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 for SSC (Short Service Commission)

The AFCAT 2024 eligibility criteria for Short Service Commission have been elaborated below.

• AFCAT Qualification
  • The candidates must have passed a Bachelor's Degree (Arts & Science and Engineering) in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks in graduation level with Physics and Mathematics as a mandatory subject in 10+2 level with a minimum of 60% marks.
  • Cleared Section A & B Examination of Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
• AFCAT Age Limit
  • The candidates must be 20 to 24 years (at the time of commencement, of course) in order to fulfil the AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024.
  • The upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years(at the time of commencement, of course.
• AFCAT Nationality: Must be an Indian Citizen
• AFCAT Marital Status: Single
• AFCAT Gender: Male and Female candidates who fulfil other AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024. 

AFCAT 2024 Ground Duty (Technical Branch) Eligibility

The AFCAT 2024 eligibility criteria for the ground duty staff for the technical branch are as below.

• AFCAT Qualification
  • Candidates must have passed a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering or equivalent course with a minimum of 60% marks from any recognized university.
  • Final year students are eligible to apply provided they do not have any present backlog at the time of SSB testing and they produce provisional/ original degree issued by the University as per the date
• AFCAT Age Limit: Candidates must be 20 to 26 years in order to fulfil the AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 (at the time of commencement of the course).
• AFCAT Nationality: Must be an Indian Citizen
• AFCAT Marital Status: Single
• AFCAT Gender: Male and Female candidates who fulfil other AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024. 

AFCAT 2024 Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch) Eligibility

The AFCAT eligibility for non technical branch ground duty staff have been written below.

• AFCAT Age Limit: Candidates must be 20 to 26 years (at the time of commencement of the course) in order to fulfil the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2024
• AFCAT Nationality: Must be an Indian Citizen
• AFCAT Marital Status: Single
• AFCAT Gender: Male and Female candidates who fulfil the other AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024.
• AFCAT Educational Qualifications: Branch-wise education qualification for AFCAT 2024 are given below.

Administration Branch

• Candidates must have passed a Bachelor's Degree (Arts & Science and Engineering) in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks for clearing the AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024. 
• Cleared Section A & B Examination of Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

Accounts Branch

• Candidates must have passed B.Com with a minimum of 60% marks from a recognized university.

Logistics Branch

• Candidates must have passed a Bachelor's Degree (Arts & Science and Engineering) in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks.
• Cleared Section A & B Examination of Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent, in order to meet the AFCAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria. 

Education Branch

• Candidates must have passed MA/ M.Sc degree in English/ Physics/ Mathematics/ Chemistry/ Statistics/ International Relations/ International Studies/ Defence Studies/ Psychology/ Computer Science/ IT/ Management/ MBA/ MCA/ Mass Communication/ Journalism/ Public Relations with minimum 50% marks in all papers put together in Post-Graduation (minimum two years programme) and 60% marks in Graduation (both recognised by UGC/ Competent Accreditation Authority).

Meteorology Branch

• Candidate must have passed Post Graduation Degree in any Science stream/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Geography/ Computer Applications/ Environmental Science/ Applied Physics/ Oceanography/ Agricultural Meteorology/ Ecology & Environment/ Geophysics/ Environmental Biology. All candidates should have scored a minimum of 50% marks 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 2024 Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch) Eligibility [Postgraduate Qualification]

The PG ground duty for non-technical branch has the following AFCAT 2024 eligibility criteria.

• AFCAT Age Limit: Candidates must be 20 to 26 years (at the time of commencement of the course) in order to fulfil the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2024.
• AFCAT Nationality: Must be an Indian Citizen
• AFCAT Marital Status: Single
• AFCAT Gender: Male and Female candidates
• AFCAT Educational Qualification
  • Educational Branch: Candidates must have passed Master's Degree in MA/M.Sc degree in English/ Physics/ Mathematics/ Chemistry/ Statistics/ International Relations/ International Studies/ Defence Studies/ Psychology/ Computer Science/ IT/ Management/ MBA/ MCA/ Mass Communication/ Journalism/ Public Relations with minimum 50% marks in all papers put together in Postgraduation (minimum two years programme) and 60% marks in Graduation (both recognised by UGC/ Competent Accreditation Authority), in order to fulfil the AFCAT 2024 Eligibility. 
  • Meteorology Branch: Candidates must have passed Master's Degree in any Science stream/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Geography/ Computer Applications/ Environmental Science/ Applied Physics/ Oceanography/ Agricultural Meteorology/ Ecology & Environment/ Geophysics/ Environmental Biology. All candidates should have scored a minimum of 50% marks in all papers of Post Graduation put together (provided Mathematics & Physics were studied at Graduation level with a minimum of 55% marks in both).

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 for Medical and Physical Standards

Candidates are advised to be physically fit when arriving on the day of the SSB physical tests in the AFSB. They are required to be capable of running 1.6 km in 10 minutes and perform 10 pushups, along with 3 chin-ups. Physical fitness is important in order to endure and adapt to the various physical training in the Air Force Academy.

The training for fulfiling the AFCAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria, as per the Physical Standards, comprises running, swimming, rope climbing and other physical tests that the candidates should undergo. 

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 for Height and Weight Standards for Men

The following table shows the height and weight standards in AFCAT 2024 exam for men.

AFCAT 2024 Height and Weight Standards for Men

Height (cm)	Weight Age Wise (Kg)
	15-17	18-22	23-27
152	46	47	50
153	47	47	51
154	47	48	51
155	48	49	52
156	48	49	53
157	49	50	54
158	49	50	54
159	50	51	55
160	51	52	56
161	51	52	56
162	52	53	57
163	52	54	58
164	53	54	59
165	53	55	59
166	54	56	60
167	54	56	61
168	55	57	61
169	55	57	62
170	56	58	63
171	56	59	64
172	57	59	64
173	58	60	65
174	58	61	66
175	59	61	66
176	59	62	67
177	60	62	68
178	60	63	69
179	61	64	69
180	61	64	70
181	62	65	71
182	62	66	72
183	63	66	72
184	64	67	73
185	64	68	74
186	65	68	74
187	65	69	75
188	66	69	76
189	66	70	77
190	67	71	77
191	67	71	78
192	68	72	79
193	98	73	79
SD	6	6.3	7.1

Below, students can find the AFCAT height and weight standards for men for ages 28-37.

AFCAT 2024 Height and Weight Standards for Men

	Weight Age Wise (Kg)
Height (cm)	28-32	33-37
152	54	54
153	55	55
154	56	56
155	56	56
156	57	57
157	58	58
158	58	58
159	59	59
160	59	60
161	60	60
162	61	61
163	61	62
164	62	63
165	63	63
166	63	63
167	64	65
168	65	65
169	65	66
170	66	67
171	66	68
172	67	68
173	68	70
174	68	70
175	69	71
176	70	71
177	70	72
178	71	73
179	72	73
180	72	74
181	73	75
182	74	76
183	74	76
184	75	77
185	75	78
186	76	78
187	77	79
188	77	80
189	78	81
190	79	81
191	79	82
192	80	82
193	81	83
SD	6.6	6.9

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 for Height and Weight Standards for Women

The required height and weight standards for women as per the AFCAT height eligibility for female are elaborated in the form of a table.

AFCAT 2024 Height and Weight Standards for Women

Height (cm)	Weight Age Wise (Kg)
	20-25 years	26-30 years
148	43	46
149	44	47
150	45	48
151	45	48
152	46	49
153	47	50
154	47	50
155	48	51
156	49	52
157	49	53
158	50	53
159	51	54
160	51	55
161	52	55
162	52	56
163	53	57
164	54	57
165	54	58
166	55	59
167	56	60
168	56	60
169	57	61
170	58	62
171	58	62
172	59	63
173	59	64
174	60	64
175	61	65
176	61	66
177	62	67
178	63	67
SD	5	5

AFCAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria for Visual Standards

AFCAT 2024 eligibility criteria also consists of visual standards which are mainly for the flying branch candidates. The details of the AFCAT 2024 visual standards are stated below.

Visual Standards for Flying Branch

• Candidates who habitually wear spectacles do not fulfil the AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 for Flying Branch. In case they report for testing, they will be tested for other branches (if applied for).

Minimum distant vision 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia

• Colour vision CP-1
• Hypermetropia: +2.0 d Sph
• Manifest Myopia: Nil
• Retinoscopic Myopia:–0.5 in any meridian permitted
• Astigmatism: +0.75 D Cyl (with + 2.0 DMax)

Maddox Rod Test

• At 6 meters — Exo-6 prism D
• Eso-6 prism D
• Hyper-1 prism D
• Hypo-1prism D

At 33 cms — Exo-16 prism D

• Eso-6 prism D
• Hyper-1 prism D
• 1Hypo-1 prism D

Handheld Stereoscope: All of BSV Grades

Convergence: up to 10 cm

Cover test for distant and near: Lateral divergence/convergence recovery rapid and complete.

Binocular Vision: Must possess good binocular vision (fusion and stereopsis with good amplitude and depth).

Candidates should fulfil the above mentioned Visual Standards for the AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024. 

AFCAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria for Visual Standard Ground Duty (Technical Branch)

The visual standard necessary for one to be eligible for the AFCAT 2024 exam are given below.

AFCAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria: Visual Standard Ground Duty (Technical Branch)

Maximum Limits of Refractive Error	Visual Acuity Errors	Colour Vision
Hypermetropia: +3.5 D SphMyopia: -3.50 D SphAstigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cyl	Corrected visual acuity should be 6/9 in each eye. Wearing glasses will be compulsory when advised.	CP-II

Candidates should fulfil the above mentioned Visual Standards for the AFCAT Ground Duty (Technical) eligibility criteria 2024. 

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 for Visual Standard Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch)

AFCAT visual standards required to appear for the exam for the Non-technical branch are given in the table below.

AFCAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria: Visual Standard Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch)

Sub Branch	Maximum Limits of Refractive Error	Visual Acuity Errors	Colour Vision
Administration	Hypermetropia: + 3.5 D SphMyopia: - 3.5 SphAstigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cyl in any meridian	Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in each eye	CP-II
Logistics	Hypermetropia: +3.5 D SphMyopia: -3.50 D SphAstigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cyl	Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye. Wearing glasses will be compulsory.	CP-III
Accounts & Education	Hypermetropia: +3.5 D SphMyopia: -3.50 D SphAstigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cyl	Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye. Wearing glasses will be compulsory.	CP-III
Meteorology	Hypermetropia: +3.5 D SphMyopia: -3.50 D SphAstigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cyl	Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye. Wearing glasses will be compulsory.	CP-II

AFCAT Application Form 2024

On Dec 1, 2023, the IAF made the AFCAT 1 2024 application form available online. The AFCAT 1 application form 2024 is now available at afcat.cdac.in. Candidates who match the minimum eligibility criteria for the AFCAT 1 2024 can apply. The application deadline for AFCAT 2 2024 is Dec 30, 2024.

AFCAT admit cards will be issued to candidates who complete the AFCAT 2024 application form. According to the most recent announcement, the AFCAT 1 application form 2024 has been released to fill 317 open posts in various Indian Air Force job profiles. 

Candidates applying for AFCAT 1 2024 should have academic, contact, and financial information ready to quickly complete the application form. Candidates will be able to make changes to their AFCAT 1 2024 application form for a limited time.