Indian Air Force AFCAT Ground Duty Branches

Indian Air Force AFCAT Entry Scheme

Established on 8th October 1932 to whom the President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief, the Indian Air Force is one of the bravest units of the Indian Armed Forces. Constituting to its personnel and aircraft assets, the Indian Air Force ranks fourth amongst the Air Forces of the world.

The Indian Air Force offers various career-enhancing opportunities to individuals to serve as an officer in the Indian Air Force. AFCAT (Air Force Common Aptitude Test) is one of the most promising ways to join the Indian Air Force as an officer. The Air Force Common Aptitude Test (AFCAT) is conducted twice in a year by the Indian Air Force.

In this article, we will discuss only Ground Duty Branches through AFCAT Entry. As an officer in the Ground Duty Branches of the Indian Air Force, you are required to manage human and material resources. It is the mechanism that steers the Indian Air Force.

AFCAT Ground Duty Branches

  • AFCAT Ground Duty Technical Branch
  • AFCAT Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch

AFCAT Ground Duty Technical Branch

As an officer in the Ground Duty (Technical) Branch, you propel and manage your team to ensure that the Indian Air Force remains airworthy. You would be in charge of some of the most sophisticated equipment in the world by joining one of the sub-branches based on your qualification.

Categories in Ground Duty Technical Branch

  • Aeronautical Engineering Electronics 
  • Aeronautical Engineering Mechanical

General Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty (Technical) Branches

  • Age – 20 to 26 years (at the time of commencement of course)
  • Nationality – Indian
  • Marital Status – Candidates below the age of 25 years should be unmarried.
  • For both Men and Women. Permanent Commission (for men) / Short Service Commission (For men and women)
  • Final year students are eligible to apply provided they do not have any present backlog at the time of AFSB testing and they produce provisional/ original degree issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.
  • Advertisement Schedule – Advertisements for AFCAT are released by the IAF in June and December.
  • Educational Qualification for Aeronautical Engineering Branch – Depending upon your stream of Engineering and subjects studied, you could join one of the sub-branches of the Ground Duty (Technical) branch. 

Check the educational qualification required for the sub-branches

Aeronautical Engineering Electronics

Eligible only when a candidate should have a minimum of 60% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and have undergone any one of the following educational qualifications:-

A minimum of four-year graduation / integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering / Technology from a recognized university

OR

Cleared Section A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India)

OR

Cleared Section A and B examination of Aeronautical Society of India

OR

Graduate membership examination of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in the following disciplines.

  • Communication Engineering
  • Computer Engineering / Technology
  • Computer Engineering & Application
  • Computer Science and Engineering / Technology
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronics Engineering / Technology
  • Electronics Science and Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Electronics and Communication Engineering
  • Electronics and Computer Science
  • Electronics and/ or Telecommunication Engineering
  • Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering (Microwave)
  • Electronics and Computer Engineering
  • Electronics Communication and Instrumentation Engineering
  • Electronics Instrument & Control
  • Electronics Instrument & Control Engineering
  • Instrumentation & Control Engineering
  • Instrument & Control Engineering
  • Information Technology

Aeronautical Engineering Mechanical

Eligible only when a candidate should have a minimum of 60% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and have undergone any one of the following educational qualifications:-

A minimum of four-year degree graduation / integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering / Technology from a recognized university

OR

Cleared Section A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India)

OR

Cleared section A and B examination of Aeronautical Society of India by actual studies with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in the following disciplines:-

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Aeronautical Engineering
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering and Automation
  • Mechanical Engineering (Production)
  • Mechanical Engineering (Repair and Maintenance)
  • Mechatronics
  • Industrial Engineering

AFCAT Ground Duty Non-Technical Branches

General Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty (Non-technical) Branches
  • Age – 20 to 26 Years for Graduates and Post Graduates (at the time of commencement of course). 
  • Marital Status – Candidates below the age of 25 years must be Unmarried.
  • Nationality – Indian.
  • Gender – Both men and women.  
  • As a Graduate/Post Graduate, you can join as an officer in any of the following Ground Duty (Non-technical) Branches.

Several Branches in Ground Duty Non-Technical

ADMINISTRATION BRANCH

Permanent Commission (for Men)/Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)

Responsible for the efficient management of both human and material resources. Some of the officers of the Administration Branch are selected and trained to carry out the following duties also:

Air Traffic Controller  – Involves maintaining an orderly flow of traffic and airspace management.

Fighter Controller  – Involves close contact and supervision between the air and radar for effective airspace management.

Educational Qualifications for Administration Branch

Graduate Degree (Minimum three year degree course) in any discipline from a recognized university with 60% marks or equivalent or cleared section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

ACCOUNTS BRANCH

Permanent Commission (for Men)/Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)

Responsible for efficient financial management of funds. You will also act as an internal auditor to ensure a zero-defect audit from outside agencies.

Educational Qualifications for Accounts Branch

B.Com degree (minimum three-year degree course) from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

LOGISTICS BRANCH

Permanent Commission (for Men)/Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)

Responsible for materials management of all Air Force resources. You would ensure efficient supervision of inventories and involve in procurement processes of various ranges of equipment.

Educational Qualifications for Logistics Branch

Graduate Degree (Minimum three year degree course) in any discipline from a recognized university with 60% marks or equivalent or cleared section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

EDUCATION BRANCH

Permanent Commission (for Men)/Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)

Educational Qualifications for Education Branch

MA/M.Sc degree in English/Physics/Mathematics/Chemistry/Statistics/International Relations/International Studies/Defence Studies/Psychology/Computer Science/IT/Management/MBA/MCA/ Mass Communication/Journalism/Public Relations with minimum 50 % marks in aggregate in all papers put together in Post-Graduation (minimum two years programme) and 60% marks in Graduation  (both recognised by UGC/Competent Accreditation Authority).

METEOROLOGY BRANCH

Permanent Commission (for Men)/Short Service Commission (for Men & Women)

As a Meteorology Branch Officer, you would be involved in handling the latest satellite imagery and state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, you would render specific advice to the operators on all aspects of weather.

Educational Qualifications for Meteorology Branch

Post Graduation Degree in any science stream/Mathematics/Statistics/Geography/Computer Applications/Environmental Science/Applied Physics/Oceanography/Agricultural Meteorology/Ecology & Environment/Geo-physics/Environmental Biology. All candidates should have scored a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in all papers of Post Graduation put together (provided Maths & Physics were studied at Graduation level with a minimum of 55% marks in both).

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