Join Indian Air Force: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2026. This examination is a gateway for Indian citizens (Men and Women) to join the IAF as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Courses will commence in January 2027.
Quick Snapshot: AFCAT 01/2026
- Online Application Dates: 17 November 2025 (11:00 AM) to 14 December 2025 (11:30 PM)
- AFCAT Exam Date: 31 January 2026 (Saturday)
- Official Website: https://afcat.cdac.in (or afcat.edcil.co.in as per notification)
- Courses Begin: January 2027
- Download Notification
1. Available Branches, Courses, and Vacancies
The following branches and courses are on offer. Vacancies are tentative and subject to change.
| Entry Type | Branch | Course Number | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 221/27F/SSC/M&W | — | — | 34 | 04 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | 220/27T/PC/110AEC/M&W & 220/27T/SSC/110AEC/M&W | AE(L): 03 AE(M): 09 | AE(L): 03 AE(M): 03 | AE(L): 100 AE(M): 38 | AE(L): 23 AE(M): 09 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 220/27G/SSC/M&W | — | — | WS: 21 Admin: 48 Lgs: 09 Accts: 08 Edn: 02 Met: 01 | WS: 05 Admin: 12 Lgs: 02 Accts: 02 Edn: 02 Met: 02 |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 221/27F/PC/M & 221/27F/SSC/M&W | — | — | 10% of AFCAT Flying SSC vacancies | 10% of AFCAT Flying SSC vacancies |
Abbreviations:
- PC: Permanent Commission | SSC: Short Service Commission
- AE(L): Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) | AE(M): Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical)
- WS: Weapon Systems | Admin: Administration | Lgs: Logistics | Accts: Accounts | Edn: Education | Met: Meteorology
2. Type of Commission
- Permanent Commission (PC): For Men & Women in the Technical Branch only. Officers serve till the age of superannuation.
- Short Service Commission (SSC):
- Flying Branch: 14 years from the date of commissioning.
- Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): Initial tenure of 10 years, extendable by 4 years. Grant of PC later is subject to service requirements, vacancies, and merit.
3. Eligibility Criteria
A. Nationality
Candidate must be a citizen of India.
B. Age Limit (as on 01 January 2027)
| Branch | Age Limit | Born Between |
|---|---|---|
| Flying (via AFCAT & NCC) | 20 to 24 years | 02 Jan 2003 to 01 Jan 2007 |
| Flying (with valid CPL) | Up to 26 years | 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jan 2007 |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Tech) | 20 to 26 years | 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jan 2007 |
- Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried at the time of course commencement.
C. Educational Qualifications (as on date of application submission)
i) Flying Branch
- Minimum 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level.
- AND a Graduation degree with minimum 60% marks OR
- BE/B.Tech (4 years) with 60% marks OR
- Cleared Sections A & B of AMIE/ASI with 60% marks.
ii) Ground Duty (Technical) Branch
- Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) [AE(L)]: Minimum 50% marks in Physics and Maths at 10+2 level AND a minimum 60% marks in one of the following:
- B.E./B.Tech (4 years) in eligible streams (Computer Science, IT, Electronics, Electrical, etc.) – A comprehensive list of over 90 eligible streams is provided in the official notification.
- MSc (Electronics) with BSc (Physics) OR Section A & B of IETE/AMIEE.
- Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) [AE(M)]: Minimum 50% marks in Physics and Maths at 10+2 level AND a minimum 60% marks in one of the following:
- B.E./B.Tech (4 years) in eligible streams (Mechanical, Production, Industrial, Aerospace, Automobile, etc.) – A comprehensive list is in the notification.
- Section A & B of AMIE/ASI.
iii) Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches
- Weapon Systems (WS) Branch: 50% marks in Maths and Physics at 10+2 AND Graduation (3 years) with 60% marks OR BE/B.Tech (4 years) with 60% marks.
- Administration & Logistics: Graduation (3 years) with 60% marks from any recognized university.
- Accounts: B.Com (60%) OR BBA/BBM/BMS with Finance (60%) OR qualified CA/CMA/CS/CFA.
- Education: Post-Graduation with 50% marks and Graduation with 60% marks.
- Meteorology: B.Sc with Physics & Mathematics (60%) OR B.E./B.Tech in specified streams (60%).
Important Notes:
- Final Year Students: Can apply provided they have no backlog and have secured 60% marks in aggregate up to the last semester/year. They must submit proof of passing by 30 November 2026.
- CPSS/PABT: Candidates who have failed CPSS/PABT earlier or were suspended from flying training are not eligible for the Flying Branch.
4. Selection Process
The selection process is rigorous and consists of multiple stages:
- AFCAT (Online Examination): For AFCAT entry candidates only. NCC Special Entry candidates are exempt.
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview: For candidates shortlisted from AFCAT and all NCC Special Entry applicants.
- Medical Examination: For candidates recommended by the AFSB.
Detailed Breakdown:
Stage 1: AFCAT (Online Exam) – 31 Jan 2026
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Type: Objective, Multiple Choice Questions (in English only)
- Sections & Marks:
- General Awareness: 25 Qs – 75 Marks
- Verbal Ability in English: 25 Qs – 75 Marks
- Numerical Ability: 25 Qs – 75 Marks
- Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test: 25 Qs – 75 Marks
- Total: 100 Questions – 300 Marks
- Marking Scheme: +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect. No marks for unattempted questions.
Stage 2: AFSB Interview
- Centers: Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, Guwahati.
- Testing (5-6 days):
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test & Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PP&DT). This is a screening test.
- Stage II: Psychological Tests, Group Tests, and Personal Interview.
- CPSS: For Flying Branch recommended candidates only (once in a lifetime test).
Stage 3: Medical Examination
Candidates must meet the strict medical standards of the IAF. Detailed standards for height, weight, vision, and overall health are provided in Appendix A of the notification.
Stage 4: Final Merit List
The final selection is based on AFCAT score + AFSB score. Merit lists are prepared branch-wise.
5. How to Apply
- Visit the Website: Go to https://afcat.cdac.in (or the link provided in the final advertisement).
- Registration: Click on ‘Registration’ and provide your Name, Mobile Number, and Email ID. A User ID and Password will be generated.
- Fill Application Form: Log in and complete the form with Personal, Communication, and Educational details.
- Upload Documents: Scanned images of:
- Recent Passport Size Photograph (100-200 KB, JPG)
- Signature (80-150 KB, JPG)
- Thumb Impression (Left for Men, Right for Women) (50-100 KB, JPG)
- Pay Application Fee:
- For AFCAT Entry: ₹550/- + 18% GST (Total ₹649).
- For NCC Special Entry: No Fee.
- Payment can be made via Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
- Submit and Print: After successful payment, submit the form and take a printout for future reference.
6. Training and Career
- Training Duration: Approx. 62 weeks for Flying & Technical branches; 50 weeks for Non-Technical branches.
- Training Academy: Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal.
- Stipend during Training: ₹56,100/- per month (for Flight Cadets).
- Pay on Commissioning (Flying Officer): ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level 10) + Military Service Pay (MSP) ₹15,500/- + other allowances (Flying, Transport, etc.).
7. Key Links & Contact
- Official AFCAT Website: https://afcat.cdac.in
- IAF Career Website: https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in
- AFCAT Helpdesk Phone: +91 9513252077 (Mon-Sat, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
- AFCAT Helpdesk Email: afcathelpdesk@edcil.co.in
