AFCAT 2026 Preparation Guide: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan, AFCAT Syllabus 2025 PDF Download

The Air Force Common Admission Test, commonly known as AFCAT, is one of the most popular national-level exams conducted by the Indian Air Force for selecting candidates for Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. Every year, lakhs of aspirants apply, but only a few make it to the final merit list. The key difference between those who clear and those who don’t lies in understanding the AFCAT 2026 syllabus, following the right strategy, and being consistent.

This article provides a complete guide on AFCAT 2026 Preparation Tips, updated syllabus, exam pattern, eligibility, recommended books, and a realistic study plan that you can follow from today itself.

What is AFCAT?

AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is a graduate-level examination conducted twice a year by the Indian Air Force. It helps recruit candidates for different branches — Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical). Candidates who clear the online exam go through the AFSB Interview and Medical Tests before final selection.

AFCAT 2026 Exam Overview

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
Conducting Authority	Indian Air Force (IAF)
Frequency	Twice a year (AFCAT 1 & AFCAT 2)
Mode of Exam	Online Computer-Based Test
Exam Level	National
Language	English
Total Questions	100
Total Marks	300
Duration	2 Hours
Marking Scheme	+3 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect

AFCAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before starting your preparation, ensure that you fulfill the AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria as specified by the Indian Air Force:

Nationality: The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
Age Limit: For Flying Branch — 20 to 24 years; for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) — 20 to 26 years.
Educational Qualification: Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university with at least 60% marks and must have studied Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level.
Marital Status: Candidates below 25 years must be unmarried.

AFCAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The AFCAT 2026 exam pattern is straightforward and helps candidates plan their preparation effectively. The online paper consists of objective-type questions from four major sections — English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude.

Section	Number of Questions	Marks
English	30	90
General Awareness	25	75
Numerical Ability	20	60
Reasoning and Military Aptitude	25	75
Total	100	300

The total duration of the exam is 2 hours. There is a negative marking of 1 mark for every wrong answer. Candidates should aim for both accuracy and speed.

AFCAT 2026 Syllabus – Subject-wise Topics

1. English

This section carries the highest weightage and checks your command over language and comprehension skills.

Reading Comprehension
Error Detection
Synonyms and Antonyms
Sentence Completion
Idioms and Phrases
One Word Substitution
Cloze Test

2. General Awareness

This section covers questions from History, Geography, Science, Polity, and Current Affairs. Defence-related topics are very important.

Indian and World History
Geography of India
Polity and Constitution
Sports, Awards, Books and Authors
Defence Exercises and Ranks
Science and Technology
Environmental Issues
Important Current Affairs (6 months)

3. Numerical Ability

The level of maths is basic — up to class 10th standard.

Decimal and Fractions
Percentage, Ratio & Proportion
Time, Speed and Distance
Simple and Compound Interest
Profit and Loss
Averages and Mixtures
Area, Volume, and Perimeter
Probability and Number System

4. Reasoning and Military Aptitude

This section tests your mental ability and decision-making skills.

Series and Analogies
Blood Relations
Venn Diagrams
Pattern Recognition
Mirror and Water Images
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Logical Deduction
Coding-Decoding

AFCAT 2026 Preparation Tips and Strategy

Cracking the AFCAT exam requires consistent effort, smart planning, and strong basics. Below are expert-level but easy-to-follow AFCAT preparation tips that any student can apply.

1. Understand the Complete Syllabus

Start by reading the official syllabus thoroughly. Don’t skip this step. Create a checklist of topics and mark your weak and strong areas. Prioritize the sections that carry more marks — English and General Awareness.

2. Make a Realistic Study Plan

Prepare a study plan that fits your daily routine. You can follow this schedule:

Maths: 2 hours daily (Concept + Practice)
Reasoning: 1.5 hours (Practice puzzles & patterns)
GK/Current Affairs: 1.5 hours
English: 1 hour (Reading + Vocabulary)
Mock Test/Revision: 1 hour

3. Read Newspaper Daily

To score well in the English and GK section, reading is a must. Choose one English newspaper (like The Hindu or Indian Express) and read it every day for at least 30 minutes. Focus on editorials, defence news, and vocabulary.

4. Focus on Mock Tests and Previous Papers

Previous year papers are the best source to understand the trend of the AFCAT exam. Attempt at least 10–12 mock tests before the exam. Analyze your mistakes after every test to improve accuracy.

5. Revise Weekly

Without revision, all your effort goes to waste. Revise short notes and formulas every week. Keep a separate revision notebook for current affairs and formula sheets.

6. Maintain Physical Fitness

Clearing the AFCAT written exam is only half the battle. The next stage is the AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) interview which includes physical and medical tests. Maintain your physical fitness by running or jogging daily, doing pushups, and maintaining the correct BMI.

Best Books for AFCAT 2026 Preparation

Subject	Book Name	Author/Publisher
English	Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis
Mathematics	Fast Track Objective Arithmetic	Rajesh Verma
Reasoning	A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning	R.S. Aggarwal
General Awareness	Lucent’s General Knowledge	Lucent Publication
Comprehensive Guide	AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test)	Arihant Experts

AFCAT 2026 Study Plan (3-Month Schedule)

Month	Focus Areas
Month 1	Basics of Maths, English Grammar, and GK (Static Topics)
Month 2	Practice previous year papers, mock tests, and reasoning
Month 3	Full revision, time-bound mocks, and focus on weak areas

AFCAT 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)

Event	Expected Date
AFCAT 1 2026 Notification	November 2025
Application Form Start	10th November 2025
Last Date to Apply	9th December 2025
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Date	February 2026
Result Declaration	March 2026

FAQs on AFCAT 2026

Q1. How can I prepare for AFCAT 2026 at home?
You can easily prepare at home by following the official syllabus, studying with standard books, and taking mock tests regularly.

Q2. Is AFCAT tougher than CDS?
No, AFCAT is considered slightly easier than CDS because it focuses more on reasoning and general awareness rather than deep subject knowledge.

Q3. How many marks are needed to clear AFCAT 2026?
The cut-off usually ranges between 150–160 marks out of 300, depending on difficulty.

Q4. What is the negative marking rule in AFCAT?
1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Attempt only those questions you’re confident about.

Q5. Where can I download the AFCAT syllabus PDF?
You can download the official AFCAT syllabus PDF 2026 from the Indian Air Force website or trusted education portals.

Conclusion

Clearing AFCAT 2026 isn’t just about studying hard — it’s about studying smart. Know your syllabus, focus on your weak areas, and stay consistent. Balance mental preparation with physical fitness for the AFSB stage. Start today, plan your studies week by week, and you’ll see visible progress. Remember, the Indian Air Force looks for disciplined, confident, and knowledgeable officers — and you can be one of them with dedication and the right approach.

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