AFCAT Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern in Detail
By vandana | Exams Syllabus | Dec 09, 2025

The AFCAT Exam is one of India’s most prestigious pathways for joining the Indian Air Force. Many aspirants preparing for AFCAT 2026 aim to understand every detail of the test before starting their journey. The selection process requires consistent preparation, clarity of pattern and conceptual knowledge. Before candidates begin their study plan, understanding the AFCAT Syllabus is the most important step. With competition increasing each year, especially for 2026, aspirants must stay updated with the latest syllabus structure, important topics and weightage. This guide provides a complete breakdown covering exam pattern, subject-wise topics and smart preparation strategies to help you score higher. Whether you’re starting fresh or revising, this article ensures a clear and simple understanding of everything essential for cracking the exam.
AFCAT Exam Overview Table
The Exam is conducted by the Indian Air Force to select candidates for various branches. The AFCAT 2026 overview table highlights key details like exam mode, duration, subjects, and marking scheme. It helps aspirants quickly understand the structure of the AFCAT syllabus exam for better preparation.
|
Details |
Information |
|
Exam Name |
AFCAT |
|
Conducting Authority |
Indian Air Force |
|
Mode of Exam |
Online |
|
Frequency |
Twice a year |
|
Posts Offered |
Various branches in Air Force |
|
Syllabus Structure |
Four sections |
|
Exam Pattern |
Objective online test |
|
Official Portal |
AFCAT official website |
|
Notification for AFCAT 2025 |
Expected soon |
AFCAT Exam Pattern
The Exam consists of a single online paper with objective-type questions. Four main sections are included: General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude. The total duration is 2 hours with 100 questions carrying 300 marks.
|
Section |
No. of Questions |
Marks |
|
General Awareness |
25 |
75 |
|
Verbal Ability in English |
25 |
75 |
|
Numerical Ability |
18 |
54 |
|
Reasoning & Military Aptitude |
32 |
96 |
|
Total |
100 |
300 |
Subject-Wise AFCAT Syllabus
1. General Awareness
The Syllabus for General Awareness includes History, Polity, Geography, Sports, Science, Defence, Environment, Current Affairs and Art & Culture.
|
Topic |
Details Covered |
|
History |
Ancient, Medieval, Modern India, Freedom Movement |
|
Geography |
Indian & World Geography, Physical Geography, Climate, Soil, Rivers |
|
Polity |
Constitution, Political System, Rights, Duties, Important Articles |
|
Economy |
Basics of Indian Economy, Budget, Economic Terms |
|
Science |
Basic Physics, Chemistry, Biology concepts |
|
Environment |
Ecology, Pollution, Conservation, Climate Change |
|
Current Affairs |
National & International Events, Government Schemes |
|
Defence |
Ranks, Commands, Defence Exercises, Weapons, Missiles |
|
Sports |
Tournaments, Awards, Important Sports Personalities |
|
Art & Culture |
Dance, Music, Festivals, Monuments |
|
Books & Authors |
Famous Books, Authors, Awards |
2. Reasoning & Military Aptitude
This section in the AFCAT Syllabus covers verbal reasoning, spatial ability, classification, coding-decoding, figure series, and logical conclusions.
|
Topic |
Details Covered |
|
Verbal Reasoning |
Coding, decoding, blood relations, direction sense |
|
Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Patterns, figures, folding, mirror images |
|
Spatial Ability |
Shapes, rotation, arrangement |
|
Figure Classification |
Odd figure out, similarities |
|
Analogy |
Number, alphabet, figure analogies |
|
Series |
Alphabet series, number series |
|
Pattern Completion |
Completing missing patterns |
|
Venn Diagrams |
Relation-based questions |
|
Embedded Figures |
Hidden shapes inside figures |
|
Military Aptitude |
Situational reasoning, logic, perceptual skills |
3. Numerical Ability
Key topics include arithmetic, percentages, profit-loss, time-distance, ratio-proportion, simple and compound interest, and basic algebra.
|
Topic |
Details Covered |
|
Simplification |
BODMAS, fraction/decimal simplification |
|
Ratio & Proportion |
Direct, inverse, partnership problems |
|
Percentage |
Increase/decrease, comparisons |
|
Profit & Loss |
Basic calculations, discount, marked price |
|
Interest |
Simple Interest, Compound Interest |
|
Time & Work |
Work efficiency, combined work |
|
Time–Speed–Distance |
Trains, boats, relative speed |
|
Average |
Weighted & simple averages |
|
Number System |
LCM, HCF, divisibility, integers |
|
Mixture & Allegation |
Concentration & mixture ratio problems |
|
Algebra |
Basic equations, identities |
|
Geometry |
Lines, angles, triangles, basic mensuration |
4. English (Verbal Ability)
The Syllabus for English includes comprehension, synonyms, antonyms, error spotting, idioms, vocabulary and sentence completion.
|
Topic |
Details Covered |
|
Comprehension |
Passage understanding, inference, vocabulary |
|
Error Detection |
Grammar errors, sentence structure |
|
Sentence Completion |
Predicting correct sentence endings |
|
Fill in the Blanks |
Grammar-based & vocabulary-based blanks |
|
Synonyms & Antonyms |
Word meanings, opposite meanings |
|
Idioms & Phrases |
Common & advanced English expressions |
|
Cloze Test |
Paragraph with missing words |
|
Spotting Errors |
Identifying incorrect grammar usage |
|
Vocabulary |
Word usage, meanings, spellings |
|
Para Jumbles |
Arranging sentences in correct order |
|
Voice (Active/Passive) |
Transforming sentences between voices |
Important Topics & Weightage
The AFCAT Exam focuses on high-weightage areas like reasoning, vocabulary, arithmetic, and current affairs. Knowing the AFCAT syllabus helps candidates target scoring topics. These sections remain key for strong performance in the AFCAT.
1. General Awareness
|
Topic |
Weightage |
|
Current Affairs |
4–5 |
|
Defence (Missiles, Exercises, Ranks) |
2–3 |
|
History (Freedom Movement) |
2 |
|
Geography (India + World) |
2 |
|
Science (Physics/Chem/Bio basics) |
2–3 |
|
Polity (Constitution basics) |
1–2 |
2. English
|
Topic |
Weightage |
|
Reading Comprehension |
5–6 |
|
Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms) |
3–4 |
|
Error Spotting |
2–3 |
|
Cloze Test |
2–3 |
|
Para Jumbles |
2 |
|
Fill in the Blanks |
1–2 |
3. Numerical Ability
|
Topic |
Weightage |
|
Simplification |
2–3 |
|
Percentage |
1–2 |
|
Profit & Loss |
2 |
|
Time–Speed–Distance |
1–2 |
|
Time & Work |
1–2 |
|
Ratio & Proportion |
1–2 |
4. Reasoning & Military Aptitude
|
Topic |
Weightage |
|
Non-Verbal Series |
3–4 |
|
Analogy |
3 |
|
Figure Classification |
2 |
|
Odd One Out |
2 |
|
Coding–Decoding |
2–3 |
|
Pattern Completion |
1–2 |
Conclusion
Understanding the AFCAT syllabus and exam structure is the first key step toward effective preparation. When candidates know what to study and how the AFCAT Exam is designed, they can plan better and prepare with more focus. Regular practice, revision, and a smart study strategy help improve accuracy, speed, and confidence throughout the preparation journey.Staying updated with syllabus changes, exam trends, and previous years’ questions also gives aspirants a strong advantage. As competition for AFCAT 2026 continues to increase, staying disciplined and motivated becomes essential for scoring well.
Frequently Asked Question
1. What is the AFCAT Exam?
The Exam is a national-level entrance test conducted by the Indian Air Force to select candidates for Flying, Technical, and Ground Duty branches.
2. Who can apply for AFCAT 2026?
Any Indian citizen meeting the age, education, and physical standards set by the IAF can apply for AFCAT.
3. What is the AFCAT Syllabus for the written exam?
The AFCAT Syllabus includes English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude.
4. How many times is the Exam conducted in a year?
The Exam is conducted twice every year — usually in February and August.
5. What is the age limit for AFCAT ?
For Flying Branch: 20–24 years.
For Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical): 20–26 years.
6. Is there any negative marking in the Exam?
Yes, each wrong answer carries a penalty of 1 mark, while correct answers give 3 marks.
7. What is the exam pattern for AFCAT 2026 ?
The Exam consists of 100 questions for 300 marks with a duration of 2 hours. EKT is required only for technical candidates.
8. What is included in the AFCAT Syllabus for English?
The AFCAT Syllabus for English includes comprehension, vocabulary, error detection, synonyms, antonyms, and idioms.
9. How should I prepare for the Exam effectively?
Focus on high-weightage topics, solve previous papers, give mock tests, and revise the syllabus regularly.
10. Can final-year students apply for AFCAT 2026?
Yes, final-year students can apply for the exam if they meet the eligibility criteria at the time of training.
11. What is the selection process after the AFCAT Exam?
After clearing the Exam, candidates attend the AFSB interview, followed by medical tests and final merit.
12. What is the difficulty level of the Exam?
The Exam is considered moderate, with English and Reasoning being relatively scoring sections.
13. Does the AFCAT Syllabus change every year?
No, the Syllabus remains mostly the same, but current affairs and defence updates change annually.
14. Is the Exam going to be conducted online or offline?
Exams will be conducted online (CBT mode) across various exam centers in India.
15. What is the minimum educational qualification for an Exam?
A minimum graduation degree with 60% marks is required, with specific subjects needed for technical branches.
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