AFCAT EKT 2026: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme & Preparation

Aspirants aiming to join the Indian Air Force under the technical domain must clear specialized examinations designed to test their technical acumen. The AFCAT examination serves as a gateway, and candidates targeting specific technical designations must understand every facet of the recruitment process. Recently, the AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 Out for 317 Posts- Click to Check, bringing new opportunities for aspiring candidates.

Understanding the AFCAT Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT)

The AFCAT EKT exam is required for candidates applying for the Ground Duty Technical Branch. Clearing the EKT exam is necessary to earn a call-up for the AFSB Interview round. The online examination consists of objective-type questions conducted in English only, featuring 50 objective-type questions tailored to specific engineering disciplines.

AFCAT EKT Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

To excel in the assessment, candidates should familiarize themselves with the structural layout and evaluation criteria of the test.

AFCAT EKT Exam Pattern Checklist

• Name Of Exam: EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test)
• Duration: 45 minutes
• No. of Questions: 50
• Maximum Marks: 150
• Subjects: Mechanical, Computer Science and Electrical & Electronics

AFCAT EKT Marking Scheme Checklist

• Three marks will be awarded for every correct answer.
• One mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
• No marks for unattempted questions.

Comprehensive EKT Syllabus Breakdown

The EKT test includes core topics from Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical & Electronics engineering. Candidates can also review the detailed AFCAT syllabus 2025 to align their general paper strategies.

Computer Science Engineering Syllabus

Fundamental Engineering

• Engineering Mathematics (Matrix Algebra, Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors, Theorems of integral calculus, Partial derivatives, Maxima and minima, Multiple integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems, First-order differential equation, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Complex variables, Taylor’s and Laurent’ series, Sampling theorems, Mean, Median, Mode and Standard deviation, Random variables, Discrete and Continuous distributions, Fourier transform, Laplace transform, Z-transform)
• Engineering Physics (Units for measurement, Description of Motion in One, Two and Three dimensions, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Heat and Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Electric Current, Magnetic Effect of Currents, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents and Electromagnetic Waves, Ray Optics and Optical Instruments)
• Engineering Drawing (Projection of straight line, Planes and solids, Intersection of surfaces, Isometric Projection, Sectional Views of Solids, Full section, Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting)

Specialization Branch Topics

• Analog & Digital Electronics (Characteristics of diodes, BJT, FET, JFET and MOSFET, Amplifiers, Oscillators and feedback amplifiers, Operational amplifiers, Simple active filters, VCOs and timers, Combinational and sequential logic circuits, Multiplexer, Schmitt trigger, Multi-vibrators, Sample and hold circuits, A/D and D/A converters, 8-bit microprocessor basics, Architecture, programming and interfacing)
• Electronic Devices (Energy bands in Silicon, Intrinsic and extrinsic Silicon, Carrier transport in silicon, Generation and recombination of carriers, P-N junction diode, Zener diode, tunnel diode, BJT, JFET, MOS capacitor, MOSFET, LED, PIN and avalanche photodiode, Basics of LASER)
• Computer Networks (ISO/OSI stack, LAN technologies, Flow and error control techniques, Congestion control, TCP/UDP and sockets, IPv4, Application layer protocols, Basic concepts of hubs, switches, gateways, and routers, Network security, Client-server computing)
• Network Theory Design (Thevenin’s, Norton’s, Reciprocity, Superposition, Compensation, Miller’s, Tellegen’s and Maximum power transfer theorems, Impulse, step, ramp and sinusoidal response analysis, Two-port parameters, Application of Laplace transform and Fourier series, Network synthesis)
• Switching Theory (Traffic definitions, Introduction to switching networks, classification of switching systems, Grade of Service and blocking probability, Circuit switching and packet switching, Network traffic load and parameters, Modelling of switching systems, Incoming traffic and service time characterisation, Blocking models and loss estimates, Delay systems)
• Information Technology (Operating System, RDBMS, Software engineering, Programming in C, Object-Oriented Programming, basics of computer graphics)

Allied Engineering

• Electrical Engineering (Single-phase transformer, Auto-transformer, Energy conversion principles, DC machines, Synchronous machines, Generators)
• Control Engineering (Application of open-loop and closed-loop systems, Principles of feedback, Determination of transfer function, Time-domain analysis of first and second-order systems)
• Telecommunication Systems (Analog communication, Superheterodyne receivers, Information theory and channel capacity, Digital communication systems, Digital modulation schemes, Mobile communication, Optical fibre communication)
• Microwave Engineering (Wave guides, Klystrons, Travelling Wave Tubes, Magnetron, Microstrip lines, Microwave semiconductor devices, Monolithic microwave integrated circuits)
• Antenna & Wave Propagation (Antenna parameters, Effective length and aperture, Gain, Beamwidth, Directivity, Radiation resistance, Efficiency, Polarization, Impedance and Directional characteristics, Reflection, refraction, interference and diffraction, Ground wave, space wave, sky wave and troposcatter propagation)
• Radar Theory (Radar range equation, Frequencies of operation, MTI, Pulse Doppler Radar, Tracking radar)
• Instrumentation (Accuracy, precision and repeatability, Electronic instruments, Theory of Oscilloscopes, Signal generators, Signal analysers, Characteristics and construction of transducers)

Electrical & Electronics Engineering Syllabus

Fundamental Engineering

• Engineering Mathematics (Matrix Algebra, Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors, Theorems of integral calculus, Partial derivatives, Maxima and minima, Multiple integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems, First-order differential equation, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Complex variables, Taylor’s and Laurent’ series, Sampling theorems, Mean, Median, Mode and Standard deviation, Random variables, Discrete and Continuous distributions, Fourier transform, Laplace transform, Z-transform)
• Engineering Physics (Units for measurement, Description of Motion in One, Two and Three dimensions, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Heat and Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Electric Current, Magnetic Effect of Currents, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents and Electromagnetic Waves, Ray Optics and Optical Instruments)
• Engineering Drawing (Projection of straight line, Planes and solids, Intersection of surfaces, Isometric Projection, Sectional Views of solids, Full section, Introduction to ComputerAided Drafting)

Specialisation Branch Topics

• Analog & Digital Electronics (Characteristics of diodes, BJT, FET, JFET and MOSFET, Amplifiers, Oscillators, Operational amplifiers, Active filters, VCOs, timers, Logic circuits, Multiplexer, Schmitt trigger, Multi-vibrators, A/D and D/A converters, Microprocessor basics)
• Electrical Engineering (Transformers, Autotransformer, Energy conversion, DC machines, Induction motors, Starting motors, Servo and stepper motors, Synchronous machines)
• Electronics Devices (Energy bands, Carrier transport, Carrier generation and recombination, Diodes, Transistors, MOS devices, Optoelectronics, LASER, Device technology fabrication)
• Control Engineering (Open/closed-loop systems, Feedback, Transfer functions, Time-domain analysis, Routh and Nyquist techniques, Bode plots, Root loci, Compensation, State-space model)
• Telecommunication Systems (Random signals and noise, Analog communication, Information theory, Digital communication, Digital modulation schemes, Mobile and optical fibre communication)
• Microwave Engineering (Waveguides, Components, Klystrons, TWT, Magnetron, Measurements, Microstrip lines, Network analysis, Semiconductor devices, MMICs)
• Antenna & Wave Propagation (Antenna parameters, Radiation, Reciprocity theorem, Resonant/non-resonant antennas, Phased array, Wave propagation mechanisms)

Allied Engineering Topics

• Instrumentation (Accuracy, precision, repeatability, electronic instruments, oscilloscopes, signal generators/analysers, transducers)
• Computer Networks (ISO/OSI stack, LAN technologies, Flow/error control, Congestion control, TCP/UDP, IPv4, Application layer protocols, Network devices)
• Network Theory Designs (Thevenin’s, Norton’s, Reciprocity, Superposition, Compensation, Miller’s, Tellegen’s, Maximum power transfer, Response analysis, Two-port parameters, Laplace/Fourier transforms, Synthesis)
• Switching Theories (Traffic definitions, Switching networks, Classification, Grade of Service, Circuit/packet switching)
• Information Technology (Operating systems, RDBMS, OOP, Computer graphics)
• Radar Theory (Radar range equation, Frequencies, MTI, Pulse-Doppler, Tracking radar)

Mechanical Engineering Syllabus

Fundamental Engineering

• Engineering Mathematics (Matrix Algebra, Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors, Theorems of integral calculus, Partial derivatives, Maxima and minima, Multiple integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems, First-order differential equation, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Complex variables, Taylor’s and Laurent’ series, Sampling theorems, Mean, Median, Mode and Standard deviation, Random variables, Discrete and Continuous distributions, Fourier transform, Laplace transform, Z-transform)
• Engineering Physics (Units for measurement, Description of Motion in One, Two and Three dimensions, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Heat and Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Electric Current, Magnetic Effect of Currents, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents and Electromagnetic Waves, Ray Optics and Optical Instruments)
• Engineering Drawing (Principles of orthographic projections, Projections of points, lines, planes and solids, Section of solids, Isometric views, Auto-CAD)

Specialisation Branch Topics

• Engineering Mechanics (Equilibrium equations, moments, friction, kinematics, Hooke’s law, stress/strain, beam stresses, shafts, vibrations)
• Thermodynamics (First/second law, entropy, availability, fluid properties, compressible/incompressible flow, Mach number, shocks, isentropic flow, compressors/fans)
• Theories of Machines (Kinematic/dynamic analysis, cams, gears, flywheels, governors, balancing, vibrations, gyroscope)
• Fluid Mechanics/Hydraulic Machines (Fluid concepts, transport theorem, kinematics, potential flow, governing equations, dimensional analysis, viscous/boundary-layer flow, turbulence, conduit flows, lubrication, turbines, pumps)
• Manufacturing Science (Foundry technology, casting, welding, forming, powder metallurgy)
• Material Science (Structure of solids, ferrous/non-ferrous materials, heat-treatment, non-metals)
• Machine Drawing (Development and intersection of surfaces, machine elements representation, sectional views, threaded/fastened joints, couplings, bearings, assembly drawings)

Allied Engineering

• Automotive Engineering (Power plant, fuel/electrical systems, lubrication/cooling, chassis/transmission, steering, tyres, knocking, combustion chambers)
• Power Plant Engineering (Steam plants, boilers, condensers, cooling towers, cogeneration, nuclear/hydroelectric plants, economics)
• Industrial Engineering (System design, factory location, plant layout, economic/break-even analysis, forecasting, inventory management, JIT systems)
• Flight Mechanics (Atmosphere, aircraft classification/configuration, performance, flight instruments, drag, stability)
• Aircraft Structures (Stress and strain, flight vehicle structures, torsion/bending, buckling, failure theories, structural dynamics)
• Aerodynamics (Basic fluid mechanics, airfoils and wings, viscous flows, compressible flows)

Preparation Guides and Resources

To maximize scores and handle time management efficiently during the 45-minute test, candidates should practice rigorously. You can AFCAT Previous Year Question Papers- Click to Download to understand question trends. Additionally, reviewing the AFCAT EKT Question paper will assist in recognizing recurring core themes.

After reviewing the syllabus and assessing readiness, candidates should Check AFCAT Cut-Off Marks [Previous Years] to set target scores. Keep track of admit card timelines and plan travel logistics in advance for the examination day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is EKT compulsory for AFCAT?

No, the EKT is not mandatory for all candidates. It is required only for those applying for Ground Duty Technical branch posts.

What is AFCAT EKT?

The EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) is a specialized assessment conducted alongside the Air Force Common Admission Test to evaluate a candidate's core engineering proficiency.

What is the full form of EKT?

EKT stands for Engineering Knowledge Test.

What are the duration and marking scheme for the AFCAT EKT exam?

The EKT exam duration is 45 minutes with a maximum of 150 marks. Three marks are awarded for a correct answer, and one mark is deducted for every incorrect response.