AFCAT Syllabus 2026 – Subject Wise Topics, Pattern & PDF Download

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is one of India’s most popular defence exams conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Understanding the AFCAT Syllabus 2026 and exam pattern is the first step towards cracking it in your first attempt. The exam checks candidates’ aptitude, reasoning, English proficiency, and general awareness.

In this post, we’ll explain the complete AFCAT Syllabus 2026 for all subjects, along with the exam pattern, marks distribution, and a downloadable syllabus PDF for your preparation.

AFCAT 2026 Exam Overview

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test)
Conducting Body	Indian Air Force (IAF)
Level	Graduate Level
Mode	Online (CBT)
Papers	AFCAT (for all) + EKT (for Technical candidates)

AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026

The AFCAT written test consists of 100 questions carrying 3 marks each. For every wrong answer, 1 mark is deducted. The total duration is 2 hours.

Section	No. of Questions	Marks
General Awareness (GK)	25	75
Verbal Ability in English	25	75
Numerical Ability	18	54
Reasoning & Military Aptitude	32	96

Total Marks: 300 | Duration: 2 Hours | Negative Marking: -1 for each wrong answer

AFCAT 2026 Syllabus – Subject Wise Topics

1️⃣ English (Verbal Ability)

The English section tests grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Key topics include:

Comprehension Passages
Error Detection
Sentence Completion & Rearrangement
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms and Phrases
Word Substitution

2️⃣ General Awareness (GK)

This section covers current affairs, static GK, and defence-related knowledge. Focus areas include:

History, Geography, Polity, and Economics
Science and Technology
Defence & Space Programs
Sports, Books & Authors
Awards & Important Dates
Indian Air Force Ranks, Missiles, and Commands

3️⃣ Numerical Ability

Questions are asked from basic arithmetic and algebra. Important topics are:

Percentage and Profit & Loss
Ratio and Proportion
Simple & Compound Interest
Time, Speed, and Distance
Average, Mixture, and Allegation
Boats and Streams
Mensuration and Geometry (Basic)

4️⃣ Reasoning and Military Aptitude

This section focuses on logical reasoning, spatial ability, and visual intelligence. Key topics include:

Analogy and Classification
Series Completion (Verbal & Non-Verbal)
Venn Diagrams
Embedded Figures
Pattern Recognition
Coding-Decoding
Figure Classification
Direction Sense & Logical Reasoning

AFCAT 2026 EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) Syllabus

Candidates applying for Ground Duty (Technical) branches also have to appear for EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test). It tests basic engineering fundamentals.

Section	Subjects Covered
Mechanical	Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Machine Design, Strength of Materials
Electrical & Electronics	Analog Circuits, Control Systems, Power Electronics, Communication Systems
Computer Science	Data Structures, Operating Systems, Networks, DBMS, Digital Logic

Duration: 45 Minutes | Total Marks: 150 | Questions: 50

Download AFCAT Syllabus 2026 PDF

You can download the complete AFCAT Syllabus 2026 PDF from the official website once the notification is released. The PDF includes both AFCAT and EKT syllabi in detail.

👉 Download AFCAT Syllabus 2026 PDF

Best Books to Cover AFCAT Syllabus 2026

Subject	Recommended Book	Author/Publisher
English	Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis
Reasoning	A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning	RS Aggarwal
GK	Manorama Yearbook / Lucent GK	Malayala Manorama / Lucent
Maths	Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams	RS Aggarwal

Preparation Tips for AFCAT 2026

Start with NCERT basics for Maths and GK.
Dedicate 1 hour daily to English grammar and reading.
Practice 2–3 reasoning sets every day to improve speed.
Take weekly mock tests to identify weak areas.
Revise short notes and formulas daily before the exam.

FAQs on AFCAT Syllabus 2026

Q1. How many subjects are there in the AFCAT exam?

There are four sections – English, GK, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude.

Q2. Is the AFCAT syllabus same for all branches?

Yes, except Technical candidates who have to appear for an additional EKT paper.

Q3. Does AFCAT have sectional cut-off?

No, only an overall cut-off is considered for selection.

Q4. Can non-engineers apply for AFCAT?

Yes, all graduates can apply for Flying and Non-Technical branches.

Q5. What is the difficulty level of AFCAT?

Moderate — focuses on conceptual understanding and speed, not high-level mathematics.

Conclusion

The AFCAT Syllabus 2026 remains consistent with previous years and tests your overall aptitude, reasoning, and awareness. With consistent study, proper revision, and the right books, clearing AFCAT in your first attempt is absolutely possible. Download the syllabus PDF, plan your daily study routine, and start preparing today to earn your wings with the Indian Air Force.

Keywords used: AFCAT Syllabus 2026, AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026, AFCAT Subject Wise Syllabus, AFCAT Syllabus PDF, AFCAT EKT Syllabus.

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