The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted twice a year by the Indian Air Force to recruit officers for the Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches.
AFCAT 1 2026 Study Plan (GAT GK)
The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted twice a year by the Indian Air Force to recruit officers for the Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. Among the various sections of the AFCAT exam, the General Awareness (GA/GK) section is crucial because it can significantly boost your overall score with proper preparation.
If you’re preparing for AFCAT 1 2026, it’s the perfect time to start your preparation with a structured and smart GAT GK study plan that ensures maximum coverage of static GK, current affairs, and defence knowledge.
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Overview
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 1 2026)** |
|---|---|
| Conducted By | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Mode of Exam | Online (CBT) |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Sections | General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude |
AFCAT GAT GK Section – Key Topics
The General Awareness section usually carries 25–30 questions (75–90 marks). Topics covered are:
- History, Geography, Polity, Economy
- Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Basic Science)
- Current Affairs (National, International, Sports, Defence, Awards)
- Art, Culture & Books
- Defence-related GK (Missiles, Exercises, Ranks, Commands)
AFCAT 1 2026 GAT GK Study Plan (Month-Wise)
Phase 1: Foundation Stage (October – December 2024)
Objective: Build your conceptual understanding using NCERTs and basic GK sources.
Topics to Cover:
- History: Ancient & Medieval India, Modern History till Independence.
- Geography: India’s physical features, states, rivers, climate, and world geography basics.
- Polity: Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Parliament, Judiciary.
- Science: Physics (Laws of Motion, Electricity), Chemistry (Acids, Bases, Elements), Biology (Human Body, Plants).
- Current Affairs: Start monthly updates from October onwards.
Resources:
- NCERT Books (6–10) for basics.
- Lucent’s General Knowledge.
- Monthly current affairs from GKToday or Adda247 Defence Capsule.
Phase 2: Concept Strengthening (January – February 2025)
Objective: Strengthen static GK and revise science and polity thoroughly.
Topics to Focus:
- Defence GK: Ranks, Commands, Exercises, Aircrafts, Missiles, Chief of Staff, Recent Inductions.
- Indian Economy: Budget, GDP, Five-Year Plans, Banking basics.
- Environment: National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Programs.
- Sports & Awards: Major Tournaments, Padma Awards, Gallantry Awards.
- Current Affairs: News from the past 6–8 months.
Activities:
- Attempt 1 mock test weekly.
- Revise previous year AFCAT GK questions.
- Make flashcards for revision.
Phase 3: Practice & Testing Phase (March – April 2025)
Objective: Develop exam temperament and improve accuracy.
Tasks:
- Solve 10–15 previous year question papers.
- Attempt topic-wise mock tests from platforms like Defence Adda or Testbook.
- Revise all static GK notes (History, Geography, Polity).
- Focus on Defence & Current Affairs (latest exercises, operations, and acquisitions).
Key Topics to Revise:
- ISRO & DRDO Programs
- Important Military Exercises (AUSTRAHIND, YUDH ABHYAS, VARUNA, etc.)
- Missiles: Agni, BrahMos, Akash, Astra, Pralay, etc.
- Important Schemes, Summits & International Organizations
Phase 4: Final Revision (May 2025 – Exam Month)
Objective: Focus entirely on retention and accuracy.
Tasks:
- Revise short notes & static GK summaries daily.
- Go through last 6 months’ current affairs thoroughly.
- Attempt full-length mock tests twice a week.
- Brush up Defence & Space updates (Appointments, Awards, Ranks, Exercises).
Tip: Don’t start new topics now. Focus only on what you’ve already covered.
Weekly Study Schedule (Sample)
| Day | Subject / Topic | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | History | Freedom Movement & British Rule |
| Tuesday | Geography | India & World Geography |
| Wednesday | Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology Basics |
| Thursday | Polity & Economy | Constitution, Budget, Banking |
| Friday | Defence GK | Exercises, Commands, Ranks |
| Saturday | Current Affairs | Monthly & Defence News |
| Sunday | Mock Test & Revision | Full-length AFCAT Practice Test |
Important Books & Resources for AFCAT GK Preparation
- Lucent’s General Knowledge – Covers Static GK comprehensively.
- Arihant AFCAT Book – For chapter-wise questions and practice papers.
- Manorama Yearbook / GKToday Capsules – For yearly current affairs.
- Defence GK Notes – From SSBCrack, DDE, or Adda247 Defence.
- NCERT Class 6–10 Books – For Science, History, and Geography basics.
Current Affairs Topics to Focus for AFCAT 1 2026
- Defence Inductions & Exercises (Agni Prime, INS Vindhyagiri, Akashteer, etc.)
- Space Missions (ISRO’s Gaganyaan, Aditya L1, Chandrayaan)
- Major National & International Summits (G20, SCO, BRICS, ASEAN)
- Sports Tournaments & Winners
- Important Days & Themes
- Government Schemes and Economic Policies
- Awards & Appointments (Padma Awards, Nobel Prizes, Gallantry Awards)
Preparation Tips for GK Section
- Read newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express daily.
- Keep a Current Affairs Notebook for monthly revision.
- Revise Static GK every week to improve recall.
- Practice AFCAT Previous Year Papers for trend analysis.
- Attempt timed mock tests regularly to manage time effectively.
Conclusion
The General Awareness (GK) section of AFCAT may seem vast, but with a systematic and consistent approach, it becomes one of the easiest scoring areas. By following this AFCAT 1 2026 GAT GK Study Plan, you can strengthen your basics, stay updated with current events, and gain confidence for the upcoming exam.
Remember — Discipline, Revision, and Smart Practice are the keys to success in AFCAT 2026. Start today and stay consistent until the final day of the exam!
