Know this. For the Flying Branch, the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) is a one-time test: fail it once and you can never again apply for flying, so prepare for it seriously.
- Run by
- Indian Air Force
- Admits you to
- Officer entry into the Indian Air Force for graduates: Flying Branch (short service commission) and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches, training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal. It is one of the routes to a Short Service Commission alongside the MET entry and NCC Special Entry. Selected candidates then go through the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB).
- Who can sit
- Graduates (or final-year students) in relevant disciplines; Flying Branch needs Physics and Mathematics at Class 12. Flying Branch age is usually 20–24 at course start (up to 26 with a DGCA commercial pilot licence); Ground Duty usually 20–26. Unmarried below 25.
- Pattern
- Online test of about 100 objective questions in 2 hours on General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning and Military Aptitude, with negative marking; an additional Engineering Knowledge Test for Ground Duty (Technical). Shortlisted candidates attend a five-day AFSB (officer intelligence rating, picture perception, psychological tests, group tasks, interview), with a Computerised Pilot Selection System test for Flying Branch, then a medical.
- When
- Twice a year: AFCAT 01 (notification around December, exam around February) and AFCAT 02 (notification around June, exam around August).
- Limits
- No attempt limit is known; the age window per branch is the limit.
Courses it leads to
Sources, checked 2026-09-28: indianairforce.nic.in