AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Age Limit & Qualifications

The official notification for AFCAT, released by the Indian Air Force (IAF), specifies the eligibility requirements for candidates aspiring to join the IAF through this exam. Note that the AFCAT eligibility criteria vary for male and female candidates. Conducted twice a year, AFCAT selects Class-I Gazetted Officers for Flying and Ground Duties (Technical and Non-Technical). For those aiming to serve in the Air Force, this is an opportunity to turn your dream into reality by applying for AFCAT 2025, provided you meet the following eligibility requirements:

• AFCAT is held twice annually, offering candidates a chance to join the esteemed Indian Air Force.
• Eligibility criteria differ for male and female applicants.
• Candidates must be unmarried at the commencement of the course.

Read this article carefully to ensure you meet all the minimum requirements and get complete details on AFCAT Exam Eligibility 2025.

AFCAT Eligibility 2025

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: The AFCAT, conducted by the Indian Air Force, is open to unmarried male and female Indian citizens. For the Flying Branch, candidates must be between 20 and 24 years of age as of 1st July 2026, have passed Maths and Physics with at least 50% marks, and hold a minimum three-year university degree with 60% marks. For the Technical and Ground Duty Branches, the age limit is 20 to 26 years as of the same date. Technical Branch candidates need a four-year engineering/technology degree (or equivalent) with 60% marks, while Non-Technical Branch candidates require a three-year degree with 60% marks. Applicants must meet physical standards, including running 1.6 km in 10 minutes, performing 10 push-ups, and 3 chin-ups. NCC Special Entry is available for candidates aged 20 to 24 years as of 1st July 2026. Scribe assistance is not allowed for this exam.

AFCAT Age Limit

The AFCAT strictly enforces age limit criteria and thoroughly verifies all candidate documents during the document verification stage. Continue reading to learn all the details regarding AFCAT age eligibility for the exam.

Entry	Age Limit	Born Between
AFCAT for Flying Branch	20 to 24 years	02 July 2002 to 01 July 2006
NCC Special Entry	20 to 24 years	02 July 2000 to 01 July 2006
AFCAT and NCC Special Entry for Flying Branch with CPL	Up to 26 years	02 July 2000 to 01 July 2006

AFCAT Education Qualifications

Candidates should carefully review the table to confirm their eligibility for the respective post. The AFCAT 2025 eligibility criteria for the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical) are provided below.

Branch	Educational Qualification
Flying Branch	– 10+2 with minimum 50% in Maths & Physics.- Graduation (3 years) in any discipline with 60% marks OR– BE/B.Tech (4 years) with 60% marks OR– Cleared Sections A & B of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with 60% marks.
Ground Duty (Technical)	Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics): 10+2 with 50% in Maths & Physics + 4-year Engineering/Technology degree OR cleared Sections A & B of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) / Aeronautical Society of India / Graduate membership exam of the Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers with 60% marks.Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical): Same as above.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical)	Weapon System Branch: 10+2 with 50% in Maths & Physics + minimum 3+2 degree with 60% marks.Administration: 10+2 + Graduation with 60% marks OR cleared Sections A & B.Accounts: 10+2 + B.Com/BBA/MBA with 60% marks OR qualified CA/CMA/CS/CFA.Education: 10+2 with 50% marks + Graduation/PG with 60% marks.
Meteorology	10+2 + B.Sc. with Maths & Physics (60% minimum) OR 4-year Graduation in Engineering/Technology (Communication/Computer/Electrical/Electronics/Mechanical) with 60% marks.

AFCAT Eligibility for Technical Branch

Candidates aspiring for the Ground Duty (Technical) branch in the Indian Air Force through AFCAT must fulfill specific educational requirements. The following outlines the AFCAT eligibility criteria for the Technical Branch:

Branch	Educational Qualification
Ground Duty (Technical) – Aeronautical Engineering Electronics	– Minimum 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level.- Minimum four-year degree graduation/integrated post-graduation in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university.OR– Cleared Sections A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate membership exam of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers with minimum 60% marks or equivalent in disciplines such as Applied Electronics & Instrumentation, Communication Engineering, Computer Engineering/Technology, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, Information Technology, Spacecraft Technology, Engineering Physics, Cyber Security, and related fields.
Ground Duty (Technical) – Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) {AE (M)}	– Minimum 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level.- Minimum four-year degree graduation/integrated post-graduation in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university.OR– Cleared Sections A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with minimum 60% marks or equivalent in disciplines such as Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production and Industrial Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Aerospace and Applied Mechanics, Automotive Engineering, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Rubber Technology and Rubber Engineering.

AFCAT Eligibility for Non-Technical Branch

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: To apply for the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branch in the Indian Air Force via AFCAT, candidates must fulfill specific educational requirements. The detailed eligibility criteria for the Non-Technical Branch are provided below.

Branch	Detailed Eligibility Criteria
Weapon System Branch	Passed 10+2 with minimum 50% marks each in Maths & Physics. Graduation with minimum 3-year degree course in any discipline with 60% marks OR BE/BTech (4-year degree course) with minimum 60% marks.
Administration	Passed 10+2 and Graduate Degree (minimum three years) in any discipline from a recognized university with minimum 60% marks. OR cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with minimum 60% marks.
Accounts	Passed 10+2 and graduation in one of the following streams with 60% marks or equivalent: B.Com (min three years), BBA (Finance specialization), Qualified CA/CMA/CS/CFA.
Education	Passed 10+2 and Post-Graduation with 50% marks in any discipline. Integrated PG courses (single degree without exit/lateral entry) should have 60% marks in Graduation.

AFCAT Physical and Medical Requirements

AFCAT Eligibility 2025: Candidates must be physically fit when reporting for the SSB to successfully undergo the tests at AFSB. The AFCAT eligibility criteria for both male and female candidates include meeting the prescribed physical fitness standards.

• Candidates should be able to run 1 mile (1.6 km) in 10 minutes, perform 10 push-ups, and 3 chin-ups.
• It is recommended that candidates maintain good physical condition to handle rigorous training at AFA, which includes swimming, rope climbing, running, and other mandatory physical exercises during training.

Height and Weight Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT Male Candidates

Refer to the table below to understand the height and weight requirements for male candidates under AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2025. The prescribed height and weight ranges vary according to age and will be verified during the later stages of the selection process.

Height (cm)	15–17 Yrs	18–22 Yrs	23–27 Yrs	28–32 Yrs	33–37 Yrs
152	46	47	50	54	54
153	47	47	51	55	55
154	47	48	51	56	55
155	48	49	52	56	56
156	48	49	53	57	57
157	49	50	54	58	58
158	49	50	54	58	58
159	50	51	55	59	59
160	51	52	56	59	60
161	51	52	56	60	60
162	52	53	57	61	61
163	52	54	58	61	62
164	53	54	59	62	63
165	53	55	59	63	63
166	54	56	60	63	64
167	54	56	61	64	65
168	55	57	61	65	65
169	55	57	62	65	66
170	56	58	63	66	67
171	56	59	64	66	68
172	57	59	64	67	68
173	58	60	65	68	69
174	58	61	66	68	70
175	59	61	66	69	71
176	59	62	67	70	71
177	60	62	68	70	72
178	60	63	69	71	73
179	61	64	69	72	73
180	61	64	70	72	74
181	62	65	71	73	75
182	62	66	72	74	76
183	63	66	72	74	76
184	64	67	73	75	77
185	64	68	74	75	78
186	65	68	74	76	78
187	65	69	75	77	79
188	66	69	76	77	80
189	66	70	77	78	81
190	67	71	77	79	81
191	67	71	78	79	82
192	68	72	79	80	83
193	68	73	79	81	83
SD	6.0	6.3	7.1	6.6	6.9

Height and Weight Criteria for Female Candidates

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: The table below lists the height and weight requirements for female candidates appearing for the AFCAT Exam 2025. These ranges are specified according to age and will be verified during the later stages of the selection process.

Height (cm)	Weight Based on Age Range (20–25 Yrs)	Weight Based on Age Range (26–30 Yrs)
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 Visual Standards

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Visual Standards: Another vital aspect of AFCAT eligibility is the Visual Standards. Excellent eyesight is mandatory for candidates aspiring to serve in the Indian Air Force. The required visual standards vary for the Flying Branch and Ground Duty branches. The table below outlines the minimum eyesight requirements for candidates. Applicants who do not meet these visual standards will not be allowed to continue in the AFCAT selection process.

S.No	Branch	Maximum Limits of Refractive Error	Visual Acuity Errors	Colour Vision
1	F(P) including WSOs	Hypermetropia: +2.0D Sph, Manifest Myopia: Nil, Retinoscopic Myopia: -0.5 in any meridian permitted, Astigmatism: ±0.75D Cyl (within +2.0D Max)	6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia	CP-I
2	Aircrew other than F(P)	Hypermetropia: +3.5D Sph, Myopia: -2.0D Sph, Astigmatism: ±0.75D Cyl	6/24 in one eye and 6/36 in other, correctable to 6/6 and 6/9	CP-I
3	Adm / Adm (ATC) / Adm (FC)	Hypermetropia: +3.5D Sph, Myopia: -3.5D Sph, Astigmatism: ±2.5D Cyl in any meridian	Corrected visual acuity should be 6/9 in each eye	CP-II
4	Adm / Adm (ATC) / Adm (FC)	Hypermetropia: +3.5D Sph, Myopia: -3.5D Sph, Astigmatism: ±2.5D Cyl in any meridian	Corrected visual acuity should be 6/9 in each eye. Wearing glasses compulsory when advised	CP-II
5	Met	Hypermetropia: +3.5D Sph, Myopia: -3.5D Sph, Astigmatism: ±2.5D Cyl	Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in better eye and 6/18 in worse eye. Wearing glasses compulsory	CP-II
6	Accts / Lgs / Edn	Hypermetropia: +3.5D Sph, Myopia: -3.5D Sph, Astigmatism: ±2.5D Cyl	Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in better eye and 6/18 in worse eye. Wearing glasses compulsory	CP-I

AFCAT Marital Status

• Candidates must be unmarried when the course begins.
• Marriage is strictly prohibited during the training period.
• Candidates who marry while in training will be disqualified from the program and must refund all expenses incurred by the government.

AFCAT Nationality

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Candidates applying for AFCAT posts in the Indian Air Force must be Indian citizens. Applicants with foreign nationality are not eligible for Class-I Gazetted Officer positions in Flying or Ground Duties (Technical and Non-Technical). Eligibility will be assessed according to the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.

AFCAT Number of Attempts

Candidates aged between 20 and 26 years can attempt the AFCAT exam. Since AFCAT is conducted twice a year, a candidate can make a maximum of 16 attempts—2 attempts per year for each of the 8 years of eligibility. To appear, candidates must meet both the AFCAT eligibility criteria and the age limit mentioned above.

Conclusion

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: The AFCAT exam is a competitive selection test with strict eligibility requirements. Candidates must meet specific academic qualifications, physical fitness standards, and visual norms. Knowing these criteria is crucial for effective preparation and increases the chances of successfully joining the Indian Air Force. Being well-informed about AFCAT eligibility helps candidates plan their preparation strategically and ensures they meet all requirements for selection.

Recommended Reads:

• AFCAT
• AFCAT Salary
• AFCAT Exam

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