AFCAT 01/2028 Selection Process: Candidates shortlisted through AFCAT 01/2027 must appear for Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing. The AFSB process assesses candidates’ officer-like qualities, intelligence, personality, leadership skills, and suitability for commissioning into the Indian Air Force.
The AFCAT 01/2028 Selection Process differs according to the entry route selected by candidates.
1. AFCAT 01/2028 Selection Process: Shortlisting for AFSB Interview
AFCAT Entry:
- The Indian Air Force will prepare a list of candidates who secure the minimum qualifying marks in the online AFCAT examination.
- Shortlisted candidates will be called for AFSB testing at one of the designated AFSB centres.
- Candidates who qualify for the written examination must select their AFSB interview date and venue through the official website.
- After selecting the date and venue, candidates can generate their AFSB call-up letter.
NCC Special Entry:
Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry will be directly called for AFSB testing without appearing for the AFCAT written examination.
GATE Score Entry:
Candidates applying through GATE Score Entry should follow the separate shortlisting and selection procedure prescribed for this entry in the recruitment notification.
2. AFSB Interview Centres
The Indian Air Force has designated five AFSB centres for the selection process.
| AFSB Centre | Location |
|---|---|
| 1 AFSB | Dehradun |
| 2 AFSB | Mysuru |
| 3 AFSB | Gandhinagar |
| 4 AFSB | Varanasi |
| 5 AFSB | Guwahati |
Candidates can select their AFSB date and venue through the official AFCAT website after qualifying for the written examination.
3. Stages of AFSB Testing
The AFSB selection process has three major stages.
Stage 1: Screening Test
The first stage will be conducted on the first day of reporting at the AFSB centre.
It includes:
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test.
- Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT).
This is a screening stage. Only candidates who qualify in Stage 1 will be allowed to participate in the subsequent selection process. Candidates who qualify in Stage 1 will undergo document verification to establish their eligibility for the branches they have applied for.
Candidates who fail the screening test or do not meet the prescribed eligibility requirements will be sent back on the first day itself.
Stage 2: Psychological Test, Group Tasks and Interview
Candidates who qualify in Stage 1 will proceed to Stage 2.
The process includes:
- Psychological Test: Conducted on the evening of Day 1.
- Group Tests: Conducted during the subsequent five days.
- Personal Interview: Conducted as part of the Stage 2 assessment.
These tests are designed to assess candidates’ personality, leadership qualities, teamwork, decision-making ability, and suitability for a career as an Air Force officer.
Must read: AFCAT 01/2027 Educational Qualification
Stage 3: Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)
The Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) will be conducted only for recommended candidates applying for the Flying Branch.
Important conditions:
- CPSS is a once-in-a-lifetime test.
- Candidates who have failed CPSS or PABT in an earlier attempt are not eligible for the Flying Branch.
- Flight Cadets suspended from flying training at the Air Force Academy are also ineligible.
4. Additional Cut-off for Particular Branches
The Indian Air Force may impose an additional cut-off for specific branches depending on organisational requirements.
Under this provision:
- Additional eligible candidates may be called for SSB testing.
- Shortlisting will be based on the order of merit for the particular branch.
- The branch must have been included in the candidate’s preferences during registration.
- Such candidates will be considered only for the particular branch for which they have been shortlisted.
- Their names will be placed below the last candidate qualifying under the initial AFCAT cut-off in the overall merit list.
- Final induction will depend on vacancies and merit.
- Candidates will have to submit an undertaking accepting these conditions.
5. AFCAT 01/2028 Selection Process: Documents Required for AFSB Interview
Candidates must carry the following original documents along with two attested photocopies of each applicable certificate.
| S. No. | Required Documents |
|---|---|
| 1 | AFCAT Admit Card |
| 2 | Original Class 10/Matriculation Certificate and Mark Sheet |
| 3 | Original Class 12 Certificate and Mark Sheet |
| 4 | Original/Provisional Graduation Degree and Mark Sheets of each year/semester |
| 5 | Original/Provisional Postgraduation Degree and Mark Sheets, wherever applicable |
| 6 | College Principal’s Certificate for final-year/semester students, as prescribed |
| 7 | Original NCC Certificate, if applicable |
| 8 | No Objection Certificate (NOC) for candidates working in Central/State Government or PSUs |
| 9 | Valid Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA, if applicable |
| 10 | Inbound railway or bus ticket for travel allowance claim |
Additional requirements:
- Candidates should carry 20 copies of recent passport-size colour photographs.
- Photographs should be taken in light-coloured clothes against a white background.
- The provisional degree certificate issued by the university is acceptable.
- A provisional certificate issued by the college principal is not acceptable.
For final-year students, the certificate issued by the College Principal must clearly mention:
- Name of the college.
- Name of the university.
- Graduation/postgraduation discipline.
- Aggregate percentage.
- Expected date of declaration of final results in DD/MM/YYYY format.
Candidates who do not possess the required documents or fail to meet eligibility conditions should not report to the AFSB centre, as they may be sent back without being allowed to participate in testing.
6. Travel Allowance for AFSB Interview
The Indian Air Force provides travel allowance to eligible candidates appearing for AFSB testing for the first time.
Travel allowance conditions:
- To-and-fro travel expenses by the shortest route will be reimbursed.
- Eligible railway travel includes AC-III Tier or AC Chair Car.
- Actual normal bus fare is also admissible.
- Candidates must submit original railway or bus tickets to claim reimbursement.
- For other modes of travel, reimbursement will be governed by applicable Government rules.
- Candidates must provide an active savings bank account in their own name.
- A cancelled cheque must be carried for online payment.
- Admissible tickets and bank details must be furnished within the prescribed one-month period from commencement of SSB testing.
Who is not eligible for TA?
Candidates who have already appeared for the same type of entry at any Selection Board will not be eligible for travel allowance.
Official Website: https://afcat.edcil.co.in/
7. Change of AFSB Interview Date
Candidates are advised to avoid requesting changes to their AFSB interview dates. However, postponement requests may be considered in genuine circumstances, subject to administrative convenience.
Such requests must be sent through email to the AFSB centre from which the interview call-up letter was received. Air Headquarters will be the final authority in deciding such requests.
8. Important Instructions for AFSB Candidates
- Candidates must report to the AFSB centre with all original documents and required photocopies.
- Candidates should carefully verify their eligibility before reporting.
- Candidates will undergo AFSB tests at their own risk.
- No compensation or other relief will be admissible from the Government in case of injuries sustained during the selection tests.
- Candidates must sign the prescribed indemnity bond.
- Candidates should keep their registered email ID and mobile number active throughout the selection process.