AFCAT Selection Process for Ground Duty Non-Technical: The Indian Air Force conducts the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) at the national level to recruit officers for its Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. With the AFCAT 2 2024 exam scheduled from August 9, 10 and 11, 2024, across various AFCAT 2024 exam centres in India, attention turns to the AFCAT 2024 selection process for ground duty non-technical positions.
The process involves an online examination followed by an interview with the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB). Successful AFCAT exam candidates receive an AFSB interview invitation. Those recommended by the AFSB interview undergo a medical examination. Subsequently, the IAF compiles a merit list for the AFCAT selection process for ground duty non-technical roles, and eligible candidates are invited for training at the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.
The final selection is based on meeting IAF criteria and excelling in the examinations. Dive into this article for a comprehensive understanding of the AFCAT selection process for Ground Duty Non-Technical.
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Stages of the AFCAT Selection for Ground Duty Non-Technical Staff
The AFCAT 2024 selection process involves several stages. First, candidates take a written exam. Next, they undergo AFSB testing, followed by document verification and a comprehensive medical check-up. After these steps, a final conference evaluates each candidate's overall performance. Based on the results from all stages, a merit list is created, ranking candidates according to their scores, with the highest scorers being chosen for final selection.
We have included information about the various steps of the AFCAT selection process for ground-duty non-technical staff in the table below to help you understand it better:
Stage | Process | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | AFCAT Written Exam | Pass the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) written exam, which covers various subjects. |
2 | AFSB Testing | Those who succeed in the written exam then proceed to testing at the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB). |
3 | Document Verification | Ensure all essential documents are in order, including educational certificates, NCC certificates, and employment NOC. |
4 | Conference | A final evaluation is conducted by a team of assessors, which includes a Psychologist, Ground Testing Officer, and Interviewing Officer, to determine the candidate’s overall performance. Candidates who pass this stage must complete the necessary paperwork provided by the Board. |
5 | Medical Examination | Undergo a comprehensive medical examination to evaluate fitness and suitability for a career in the Air Force. |
6 | Merit List | A Merit List is created based on the candidate’s performance across all stages of the selection process. Candidates are ranked, and those with the highest scores are chosen for final selection. |
Detailed AFCAT 2024 Selection Process for Ground Duty Non-Technical
The AFCAT 2024 selection process for Ground Duty Non-Technical staff is tough and difficult, with four stages: a written test, an interview with the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB), and a medical exam and declaration of the final AFCAT merit list. The final merit list will be compiled based on the candidates' overall performance in the previous stages of the AFCAT selection process. Let us know about each of these stages in detail:
AFCAT Selection Process - Written Exam
The AFCAT written exam is the first stage of the AFCAT selection process, in which candidates must answer questions on themes such as English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning. Candidates for the IAF's technical branch will also have to take an extra Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT). During the AFCAT 2024 selection process, candidates will have 2 hours to answer object-type questions (MCQs).
Exam | Subject | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration | Language | Type of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFCAT 2 2024 | General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Military Reasoning, Aptitude Test | 100 | 300 | 120 Minutes | English | Objective Type Question |
AFCAT Selection Process - AFSB Interview
The interview with the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) is the second stage of the AFCAT selection process. It is a thorough evaluation of a candidate's fitness for a career in the Indian Air Force. Candidates who pass the written test will be sent an interview invitation and must go to one of the Air Force Selection Boards in Dehradun, Varanasi, Gandhinagar, or Mysuru. The AFSB interview process is divided into three rounds:
- Stage 1: The Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIRT) and the Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT) comprise this round. The OIRT is a written examination that assesses a candidate's intellect and problem-solving abilities. The PPDT is a group exercise that tests a candidate's critical thinking and capacity to perform under pressure.
- Stage 2: It includes psychological testing, group assessments, and an interview. Psychological exams are used to evaluate a candidate's personality, motivation, and emotional stability. The group exams evaluate a candidate's abilities in cooperation, leadership, and problem-solving. The interview is a one-on-one meeting with an interviewing officer.
- Stage 3: Only applicants who have applied for the flying branch are eligible for this phase. It is made up of a CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System) test. The CPSS test determines a candidate's ability to fly.
AFCAT Selection Process - Medical Test
The AFCAT medical examination is the second last stage of the selection process. It is a thorough evaluation of a candidate's physical and mental fitness for a career in the Indian Air Force. The medical test is held at the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) in New Delhi or the Institute of Aviation Medicine in Bengaluru. The following tests are part of the medical examination:
- General physical examination
- Specialized tests
- Psychiatric evaluation
AFCAT Selection Process - Final Merit List
The Indian Air Force (IAF) prepares the final merit list following the successful completion of all rounds of the AFCAT selection process for ground duty non-technical staff. The merit list is based on the candidates' total performance, which includes their AFCAT score and performance in the AFSB interview. The following factors are taken into account while creating the final merit list:
- Candidates' AFCAT score
- Candidates' performance in the AFSB interview
The AFCAT 2024 final merit list is created by assigning the AFCAT score 60% weightage and the AFSB interview score 40% weightage. Candidates with the highest total scores are ranked first on the merit list.
The IAF hires candidates for ground duty non-technical based on the final merit list. The final merit list will be revealed once all steps of the AFCAT 2024 selection process have been completed successfully. The shortlisted applicants will be chosen based on their final scores as well as the availability of positions in various branches of the IAF.
Documents Required for AFCAT Interview 2024
Candidates must bring the following documents to the AFSB interview process:
- Original certificates and mark sheets for 10th and 12th grade, along with 2 photocopies of each.
- Recent colour passport photographs.
- Valid Commercial Pilots’ License issued by the DGCA, if applicable.
- Inbound train or bus tickets for Traveling Allowance refund.
- Original NCC Certificate, if applicable.
- Original certificates and mark sheets for Provisional Graduation and Postgraduate Degrees, plus 2 photocopies of each.
- NOC from Central/State Government Employers or the AFCAT Admit Card from the Public Sector (original and 2 photocopies).
Note: Ensure all essential documents (original and attested copies) are brought during the interview. On the final day of the AFCAT Selection process, a conference with the Psychologist, Ground Testing Officer, and Interviewing Officer will assess candidates' performance in all stages. Qualified candidates will need to complete additional documents provided by the Board.
What After the AFCAT Selection Process?
The training period for individuals recruited in the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s technical and non-technical branches varies as follows:
- Ground Duty (Technical) and Flying Branches: Candidates selected for the Ground Duty (Technical) and Flying Branches will go through a 74-week training programme. The Air Force Academy in Hyderabad will host the initial 22 weeks of instruction. The remaining 52 weeks of training will be held in Bengaluru's Air Force Technical College.
- Ground Duty (Non-technical) Branch: Candidates chosen for this branch will be trained for 52 weeks. The training will take place entirely at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad.
Note: All applicants chosen for training must positively report to the training location. The training is challenging, but it is also thrilling and fulfilling.
Last but not least, applicants should be aware that the AFCAT 2 2024 test has already taken place, with results coming in September 2024. If you took the exam, we advise you to keep positive while you wait for the results. Meanwhile, you can begin preparing for the AFSB interview, which is the next stage in the AFCAT selection process. You may realise your ambition of becoming an Air Force Officer with hard work and determination.
Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more information and updates related to the AFCAT 2 2024 exam!
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