AFCAT Selection Process 2026 – Online Test, AFSB Interview & Medical Explained

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is one of the most prestigious defence exams in India conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the selection of Commissioned Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches. Cracking the written exam is just the first step — the real challenge begins with the AFSB Interview and Medical Tests. In this post, you’ll find the complete AFCAT Selection Process 2026 explained step-by-step in simple language.

Overview – AFCAT Selection Process 2026

Stage	Process	Purpose
Stage 1	AFCAT Online Exam (CBT)	Screening based on aptitude and general knowledge
Stage 2	AFSB Interview	Testing psychological, physical, and leadership skills
Stage 3	Medical Examination	Checking overall physical and mental fitness
Stage 4	Final Merit List	Based on written + AFSB + medical clearance

Stage 1: AFCAT Online Exam (CBT)

The first stage of the selection process is a computer-based test (CBT) conducted across India. The paper consists of 100 objective-type questions worth 300 marks. It includes sections like English, GK, Reasoning, and Maths. For technical candidates, an additional EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) is also conducted.

➡️ Exam Duration: 2 Hours (AFCAT) + 45 Minutes (EKT)
➡️ Marking Scheme: +3 for correct answer, –1 for incorrect answer

Cut-off Trends (Previous Years)

Year	AFCAT Cut-off	EKT Cut-off
AFCAT 1 2024	157	40
AFCAT 2 2023	155	38
AFCAT 1 2023	160	40

Stage 2: AFSB Interview (Air Force Selection Board)

Once candidates clear the online exam, they receive an AFSB call letter and must choose one of the four AFSB centres:

Dehradun (1 AFSB)
Mysuru (2 AFSB)
Gandhinagar (3 AFSB)
Varanasi (4 AFSB)

The AFSB Interview tests your personality, leadership, psychology, and teamwork skills. It is conducted over 5 days and includes two major stages:

Day 1 – Screening Test (Stage I)

Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test – Logical reasoning & verbal ability questions.
Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT) – Candidates see a blurred image, write a story, and discuss it in a group.

Those who clear Day 1 are retained for the remaining days; others are sent back the same day.

Day 2 to Day 5 – Psychological and Group Testing (Stage II)

Psychological Tests: Situation Reaction Test (SRT), Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT)
Group Tasks: Group Discussion (GD), Group Planning Exercise (GPE), Progressive Group Tasks (PGT)
Personal Interview: One-on-one interview with the AFSB Board Officer
Conference: Final evaluation round — all officers discuss candidate performance

Key Points for AFSB Interview

Dress neatly and maintain good body language.
Speak clearly during group discussions.
Honesty is valued more than perfection — be yourself.
Practice story writing and situation-based thinking regularly.

Stage 3: Medical Examination

After clearing AFSB, candidates must undergo a detailed medical fitness test conducted at the designated IAF Medical Boards —
Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM), Bengaluru or Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), New Delhi.

Medical Tests Include:

Height, Weight, and BMI Check
Eye Vision Test (6/6 required for Flying Branch)
Hearing Test
Blood, Urine, and Chest X-ray Examination
Dental and ENT Checkup
ECG and other internal organ screening

Minimum Physical Standards

Branch	Minimum Height	Weight Range (Male/Female)
Flying Branch	162.5 cm	Based on height & BMI standards
Ground Duty (Tech/Non-Tech)	157.5 cm (Male) / 152 cm (Female)	As per IAF chart

If a candidate is found temporarily unfit, they can request a Review Medical Board (RMB) within 42 days.

Stage 4: Final Merit List

After clearing medicals, IAF prepares a final merit list based on:

Marks in AFCAT Written Exam
Performance in AFSB Interview
Medical Fitness Status
Branch Preference and Available Vacancies

Only candidates in the merit list receive a call letter for training at Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal. The training duration is approximately 74 weeks for Flying and 52 weeks for Ground Duty branches.

Important Tips to Clear Each Stage

For Written Exam:

Practice previous year papers and online mock tests regularly.
Focus on English and Reasoning for high accuracy.
Manage time – don’t get stuck on difficult questions.

For AFSB Interview:

Improve communication and teamwork skills.
Read defence-related news daily to show awareness.
Be confident, polite, and logical in your answers.

For Medicals:

Maintain healthy weight, diet, and regular physical exercise.
Get your eyesight checked before applying.
Avoid last-minute stress — stay calm and cooperative.

FAQs on AFCAT Selection Process 2026

Q1. How many stages are there in the AFCAT selection process?

There are four stages — Online Exam, AFSB Interview, Medical Test, and Final Merit List.

Q2. What happens after clearing the AFCAT exam?

You are called for the AFSB Interview at one of the four selection boards.

Q3. What is the duration of AFCAT training?

Flying branch training lasts 74 weeks, and Ground Duty branches take 52 weeks at Air Force Academy.

Q4. Can I choose my AFSB centre?

Yes, you can select your preferred centre (Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, or Varanasi) after the written result.

Q5. Is medical test very strict in AFCAT?

Yes. IAF maintains strict medical standards to ensure fitness for military duties, especially in the Flying branch.

Conclusion

The AFCAT Selection Process 2026 is a journey that tests your mind, body, and character. It’s not just about marks — it’s about proving your potential to serve and lead. If you prepare strategically, stay disciplined, and remain honest throughout the process, your dream of becoming an Air Force Officer will soon become reality. Remember, every officer today once stood exactly where you are — determined, anxious, but ready to conquer the sky.

Keywords used: AFCAT Selection Process 2026, AFCAT AFSB Interview, AFCAT Medical Test, AFCAT Merit List 2026, AFCAT Selection Stages.

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