AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is one of the most prestigious exams in India for those who aspire to join the Indian Air Force as a commissioned officer. It’s conducted twice a year and opens the doors to various opportunities, such as flying and ground duty (technical and non-technical) branches.
It’s unique because it allows graduates from any stream (with Physics and Maths in Class 12 for the Flying Branch) to join the Indian Air Force without an engineering background. If you’re wondering about the highest rank one can achieve after cracking AFCAT, let’s break it down for you.
Highest Rank Through AFCAT
When you clear the AFCAT and complete your training at the Air Force Academy, you are commissioned as a flying officer. This is the starting rank. But your journey doesn’t stop there. You can become an air marshal or air chief marshal if you continue to perform exceptionally. They are the highest-ranking officers in the Indian Air Force.
The various ranks based on their seniority are, as mentioned below:
i. Flying Officer
ii. Flight Lieutenant
iii. Squadron Leader
iv. Wing Commander
v. Group Captain
vi. Air Commodore
vii. Air Vice Marshal
viii. Air Marshal
ix. Air Chief Marshal (Topmost rank, held by the Chief of the Air Staff)
When you’re planning to appear for the AFCAT, you need a solid preparation strategy and the right AFCAT books. Let’s help you understand how you can choose the most suitable books for the exam.
AFCAT Previous Year Question Paper Book
When you solve previous years' papers, you understand exam trends closely. They also include the question types you face in the exam and the difficulty level. Through these books, you can easily analyse the commonly asked questions. Besides, you can also work on strengthening your time management skills and building confidence for the exam day. You can refer to our AFCAT 15 Years Chapter-wise & Topic-wise Solved Papers 2011 to 2025 for regular practice.
Read More: AFCAT Interview & SSB Preparation: How to Crack the Final Stage
AFCAT Books for Concept Clarity
When choosing the best book for AFCAT, you must look for resources that offer topic-wise explanations. Additionally, you must ensure that they contain mock tests, general awareness updates, and practice questions with solutions. This way, you’ll be able to prepare thoroughly and clear the exam easily.
The highest rank you can achieve through AFCAT isn’t fixed. It depends on your performance, dedication, and leadership qualities. However, you start as a flying officer and get promoted based on your potential. One day, you can become an Air Chief Marshal and lead the Indian Air Force! Start your journey with the right AFCAT books and keep your goals sky-high to achieve the highest rank. We wish you all the very best for your career as an Indian Air Force officer!