AFCAT for Girls: Entry Schemes, Entry Levels, Career Opportunities

AFCAT for Girls: The Indian Air Force organizes the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) biannually to appoint officers in the Indian Air Force. Both men and women can apply, provided they meet the AFCAT eligibility criteria, which differ a little bit for male and female candidates. If the idea of joining the Indian Air Force excites you, the experience of being a part of the IAF would undoubtedly be surreal. This article is specifically centred around AFCAT for girls or female candidates planning to sit for the exam/ covering details such as age limit, marital status, educational qualification, physical standards, and other essential information relevant to AFCAT for girls.

Indian Army Entry Schemes for Women

In 1992, an important landmark in the history of the Indian Army was the induction of women into the officer cadre and the onerous task of training them was undertaken by the Officers Training Academy. So far, more than 1200 Lady officers have already been commissioned into the various Arms and Services of the Indian Army. The candidate should be a graduate to apply. Revised Terms and Conditions of Service of SSCOs have been revised (Men and Women both Technical and Non-Technical).

Prominent features of the revised policy are:

1. Extension of Tenure

• Tenure of Short Service Commission. Short Service Commission (SSC), in the Regular Army, will be granted for 14 years i.e. for an initial period of 10 years, extendable by four years.
• The duration of training will be 49 weeks.

2. Substantive Promotion

SSCOs will be eligible for substantive promotion.

• To the rank of Capt – on completion of two years reckonable commissioned service.
• To the rank of Maj – on completion of six years reckonable commissioned service.
• To the rank of Lt Col – on completion of 13 years reckonable commissioned service.

Combined Defence Services Exam

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Indian Air Force Academy(AFA)

Eligibility Criteria: Girls are only eligible for the Officers Training Academy (OTA). The other three are the IMA-Indian Military Academy, AFA-Air Force Academy and the NA-Naval Academy, which are meant for boys.

NCC Special Entry

You can appear for the NCC Special Entry exam if you are an NCC Women Cadet the qualification needed is that the candidate should be 19-25 years of age and the education qualification needed is that the candidate must have completed a Degree with 50% aggregate.

JAG Entry Scheme

Judge Advocate General (JAG) entry is mainly for Law graduates, who have completed at least an LLB degree. Eligibility criteria involve at least 55% aggregate in LLB (three years professional after graduation or five years after 10 plus 2) examination. Also, CLAT PG scores are mandatory for all candidates, including LLM-qualified and LLM-appearing candidates. The age limit is between 21 and 27 years of age and all candidates should be unmarried at the time of application/registration.

AFCAT Exam

There are two stages in the AFCAT exam - the written test and the AFSB Interview. Unlike the NDA exam, both male, as well as female candidates, can apply for it. Candidates who qualify in the written test of the AFCAT are then called to appear in the AFSB which is a 5-day process. After the AFSB, aspirants will have to qualify for the medical test, after which they will be commissioned into the AFCAT course.

AFCAT Exam Pattern

Indian Air Force mentions the exam pattern in the official AFCAT notification. As per the AFCAT exam pattern, the first stage is conducted in online mode for 100 questions which come from General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Aptitude Tests. There are 120 minutes to complete the test. There is also negative marking in the exam. The written test is followed by the AFSB.

AFCAT Technical and Non-Technical Level Entry

Female candidates can AFCAT process for technical and non-technical level entry are given below:

AFCAT Ground Duty (Technical) Branch Entry

Officers who are involved in the AFCAT Ground Duty (Technical) Branch, are not only driving and managing the team but also have the responsibility to ensure that the Indian Air Force remains airworthy on their shoulders. The Ground duty officer is in charge of the most sophisticated tools and equipment in the world by serving in one of the sub-branches based on their qualifications.

Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty Branches

The eligibility criteria for Ground Duty branches are based on three criteria stated below:

AFCAT Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branches)

The Non-technical branch of Ground duty is the ones of being human and material resources. These mechanisms also steer the Indian Air Force.

Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches

Check out the eligibility for non-technic for branches of ground duty below: 

AFCAT For Girls: IAF Branches

Female candidates who want to fly high in the sky or dream of being a fighter in the IAF, then they have to clear the AFCAT exam. The AFCAT path will lead you to three important branches in the IAF: Flying, Technical, and Ground Duty. Check out more details about the job roles in these branches below: 

After a candidate clears the AFCAT examination, they get the opportunity to work across different branches such as the flying branch, ground duty branch and others. You can check below to know which age fits your interest:

Flying Branch

Women candidates aged 19 to 23 years (as notified in the advertisement) can opt for the flying branch. Female candidates have the opportunity to fly transport aircraft or helicopters but they are not eligible for fighter aircraft.
To apply for this entry, a candidate should have a Graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university with an aggregate of 60% marks and have passed Maths and Physics at 10+2 level OR B.E/BTech degree from a recognized university with an aggregate of minimum 60% marks

Technical Branch

Female engineering candidates aged 18 to 28 years can opt for the technical branch. There are two types of technical services whose educational qualification conditions are given below:

• Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical): Minimum four-year degree course from a recognized university with aggregate of minimum 60% marks and qualification in at least eight subjects out of eighteen as per notified in the advertisement OR the candidate must have cleared Section A and B exam of Associate membership of Institution of engineers or Aeronautical Society of India in regular courses
• Aeronautical Engineer (Electrical): Minimum four-year degree course from a recognized university with aggregate of minimum 60% marks and qualification in at least eight subjects as per notified in the advertisement OR cleared Section A and B exam of Associate membership of Institution of Engineers or Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate membership exam of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers in regular courses

Ground Duty Branches

For the candidates who want to opt for the ground duty branches, the age requirements are different:

• For graduates: 20 to 23 years
• Post Graduates: 20 to 25 years
• LLB: 20 to 26 years
• M.Ed/ PhD/ CA: 20 to 27 years

There are three types of services in Ground Duty Branches whose educational qualification conditions are given below:

• Administration and Logistics: Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university with an aggregate of 60% marks OR a Post Graduate degree/ diploma in any discipline from a recognized university with an aggregate of a minimum of 60% marks
• Education: Post Graduate degree in any discipline with an aggregate of minimum 50% marks
• Accounts: Graduate degree in any commerce with an aggregate of minimum 60% marks OR a Post Graduate degree/ diploma in Commerce (M Com) / CA / ICWA with an aggregate of minimum 50% marks.

AFCAT for Girls: Physical Standards

According to the basic requirements, female applicants for AFCAT should be both physically and mentally healthy. Candidates need to undergo a health check to confirm they meet the physical eligibility standards for AFCAT for girls. Failing to meet these criteria later in the AFCAT selection process could pose difficulties. Learn about the eligibility criteria for female candidates in the AFCAT through the table below:

AFCAT for Girls: Visual Standards  

The visual standards for girls applying to AFCAT are consistent across the Flying Branch, Ground Duties (Technical & Non-Technical), and NCC Special Entry. If candidates do not currently meet the criteria, they need to ensure their visual standards align with the requirements before participating in AFCAT 2024.

AFCAT Salary Structure

During training, an allowance of INR 52,600 will be paid to students of the Indian Air Force. The term of the training for AFCAT is 1 year.

The breakdown of AFCAT compensation for a charged official (per month) is given below:

• Pay Band for all Branches: INR 56,100 Monthly 
• Level 10 within the Pay Matrix - VIIth CPC: INR 56,100-1,10,700 
• Military Service Pay: INR 15,500 Per Month
• Flying Branch: INR 11,250 every month 
• Technical Branch Officers: INR 2,500 every month 

Moreover, officials are qualified for different recompenses and benefits. For example, Transport Allowance, Children's Education Allowance and so on. Career prospects and growth structures have also been mentioned.

AFCAT for Girls: Growth and Career Prospects

The profession in the Indian Air Force is loaded with opportunities for defence aspirants as it incorporates both specialized and non-specialized branches. Trained in various zones and settings, you are set up to meet all the challenges you face in the quick-paced Force. You start your career as a Flying Officer and can ascend to the position of Air Marshal. The appointed one from the Flying Branch turns into the leader of the family, that is The Chief of the Air Staff. The IAF AFCAT Recruitment details are given on the official website. The candidates are advised to keep a check on the exam updates and notifications.

All Air Force officers, along with their families and dependent people have free of charge access to medical rooms and hospitals that have the best of facilities. Apart from that, there are also tie-ups with other hospitals for treatments, if required. Patients are also provided with grants for acquiring essential medical equipment and mechanical aid. Scholarships are also offered large scale.

AFCAT for Girls: Important Points

Girl aspirants who want to make a career in the Indian Air Force must remember these important points. These may also help them make better choices in the future. Check significant pointers below: Cadets Aspirants with an LLB degree, who have also been commissioned can apply for legal duties in the Indian Air Force or IAF. 

• Candidates who have been denied admission from training academics in either the Navy or Air Force or Military because of indiscipline behaviour are not eligible to apply for AFCAT exams.
• Girl Candidates who intend to work in the flying branch cannot join the same if they have failed previously in the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) or Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS). 
• They will also be not accepted for the AFCAT if they have been suspended from joining as Flight Cadets in the training period of any Air Force Academy. 
• Students who are in their last semester or final year are also eligible to apply for AFCAT but they must have secured at least 60% till their final year exam. They should also not have any backlogs to be eligible for this exam.

We have provided a detailed analysis of the AFCAT Exam, Details, and Patterns both for the Technical and Non-Technical spheres of the Indian Army for Women. To get more insights and details about the AFCAT exam, stay tuned to CollegeDekho!