The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced the AFCAT 02/2024 results (out on September 30, 2024). The exam was held from August 9 to 11, 2024 for recruitment to Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. In total, about 304 Group ‘A’ officer vacancies were advertised (commonly summarized as 277 posts in many reports). The AFCAT result is available on the official AFCAT portal, and the IAF has since published the final merit list (for the July 2025 course) in May 2025. This article summarizes key dates, vacancy details, eligibility criteria, and steps to check AFCAT 02/2024 results and the 2025 merit list, along with FAQs and official references.
Key Highlights of AFCAT 02/2024 Recruitment
- Application Period: Online registration ran from May 30, 2024 to June 28, 2024.
- Exam Dates: The AFCAT 02/2024 computer-based test was conducted on August 9–11, 2024.
- Vacancies: Approximately 304 Group ‘A’ posts were to be filled in Flying, Technical (Aeronautical Engineering – Electronics & Mechanical) and Non-Technical (Admin, Logistics, Accounts, etc.) branches. (Many sources summarize this as 277 posts.)
- Result Announcement: The AFCAT 02/2024 written exam result was declared on September 30, 2024, with scores accessible via individual login on afcat.cdac.in.
- Merit List: The final Order of Merit for course starting July 2025 was published on May 29, 2025, listing all candidates recommended by AFSBs. A total of 665 candidates were recommended across all entries (men, women, NCC, etc.).
- Selection Stages: Qualified candidates first go through the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) tests (Stage I: Officer Intelligence and Picture Perception; Stage II: Psychology, Group Tasks, Interview). Flying branch qualifiers then take the CPSS (pilot selection) test, followed by a detailed medical exam. Final admission depends on merit rank, medical clearance, document verification and branch vacancies.
Vacancy Distribution (Post-wise)
Based on the official AFCAT 02/2024 notification, the branch-wise vacancy distribution was as follows (male/female counts as advertised):
| Branch / Entry | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Flying Branch | 18 | 11 | 29 |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | |||
| – Aeronautical Engg (Electronics) | 88 | 23 | 111 |
| – Aeronautical Engg (Mechanical) | 36 | 9 | 45 |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | |||
| – Administration & Logistics | 43 | 11 | 54 |
| – Logistics & Transport | 13 | 4 | 17 |
| – Accounts | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| – Education | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| Others: Meteorology entry | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Weapon Systems (Ground Technical) | 14 | 3 | 17 |
| Total | 239 | 67 | 306 |
Note: The official notification lists a total of 304 advertised posts (plus Meteorology and Weapon Systems entries bringing the sum to 306 above). Many summaries cite 277 posts (excluding some special branches). The table above reflects the detailed breakdown by branch.
Eligibility Criteria by Branch
AFCAT candidates must meet age, education and physical standards as per the IAF notification:
- Flying Branch (AFCAT Entry):
Education: Bachelor’s degree (B.E/B.Tech or B.Sc) in any discipline with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level.
Age: 20–24 years.
Physical: Minimum height 157.5 cm for men (152 cm for women). - Ground Duty – Technical (Aeronautical Engineering – Electronics/Mechanical):
Education: 10+2 (PCM) with ≥60% marks and a 4‑year engineering/technology degree in the relevant stream.
Age: 20–26 years.
Physical: As per IAF medical standards. - Ground Duty – Non-Technical:
- Administration & Logistics: Bachelor’s degree in any stream (≥60% marks).
- Accounts: Bachelor’s in Commerce (B.Com, ≥60% marks).
- Education: Bachelor’s degree (any stream; ≥60%) – 9 vacancies.
- Weapon Systems: Bachelor’s degree in Science or related field (details in notification) – 17 vacancies.
Age: 20–26 years for all non-technical entries.
Physical: Height ≥157.5 cm (men), 152 cm (women).
- NCC Special Entry (Flying Branch): NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate and the same degree + age requirements as the regular flying branch.
- Meteorology Entry: (Separate non-AFCAT entry of 10 posts) requires an M.Sc. in Meteorology/Geophysics or related with 60% marks (details in official notification).
For all entries, candidates must meet IAF medical and fitness standards. (See the official AFCAT 02/2024 notification on afcat.cdac.in for full criteria.)
How to Check AFCAT 02/2024 Result and Merit List
AFCAT 02/2024 results and the final merit list are available online. To access them:
- Check AFCAT 02/2024 Result: Go to the AFCAT official website afcat.cdac.in and login to your account. On the homepage (or under “Result”), click the result link, enter your email and password, and submit. Your result (qualified/not qualified) will be displayed. Save or print the page for records.
- Download AFCAT 02/2024 Merit List (July 2025 Course): On the AFCAT site homepage, look under the “What’s New”/News section for the link “ORDER OF MERIT OF ALL AFSB RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES: Jul 25 Course(s)”. Click this to open the PDF of the final merit list. Use Ctrl+F to find your roll number in the list of recommended candidates.
- Result Link: The direct login and result-check interface is on afcat.cdac.in (candidate login).
- Official Notice: No scorecard or marksheet is published; only the qualified status is shown.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans: The official minimum qualifying mark (cutoff) for AFCAT 02/2024 was 139 out of 300. This is a common cutoff for all categories. Candidates scoring below this (after negative marking) were not shortlisted for AFSB.
Ans: Log in to the AFCAT portal (afcat.cdac.in) with your registered email and password. Navigate to the “Result” section on the homepage. Submit your details to view your result. The Merit List (final selection list) can similarly be downloaded from the “Order of Merit” .
Ans: Candidates need a Bachelor’s degree (B.E/B.Tech or B.Sc) in any stream with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level. Age must be between 20 and 24 years on July 1, 2025. Minimum height is 157.5 cm for men (152 cm for women).
Ans: Candidates who pass the written exam are called for AFSB testing. AFSB Stage-I includes an Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and Picture Perception & Discussion Test. Stage-II involves psychological tests, group activities and a personal interview. Flying branch candidates must also clear the CPSS flying aptitude test. Those recommended by the AFSB then undergo a detailed medical examination and document verification before final selection.
Ans: Clearing the merit list means you have been recommended for training (subject to medical). The IAF will allot branches and training courses based on your merit rank, preference and availability. Those who clear medicals will be called to join the Air Force Academy (for flying) or Ground Duty training academies as per schedule.