Indian Air Force has released the latest AFCAT 02/2026 notification for recruitment of Men and Women as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non‑Technical) branches for courses commencing in July 2027. Online applications will be accepted from 20 May 2026 (1100 hrs) to 19 June 2026 (2330 hrs) through the official AFCAT website https://afcat.edcil.co.in, and the online AFCAT exam will be conducted on 08 August 2026 (Saturday). Interested and eligible candidates must ensure that they fulfill all eligibility conditions before applying.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Notification PDF
Indian Air Force has published the detailed notification titled “AIR FORCE COMMON ADMISSION TEST (AFCAT‑02/2026) FOR FLYING BRANCH AND GROUND DUTY (TECHNICAL AND NON‑TECHNICAL) BRANCHES / NCC SPECIAL ENTRY / GATE SCORE ENTRY FOR COURSES COMMENCING IN JULY 2027”. The notification includes complete information on branches, course numbers, vacancies, eligibility, age limits, educational qualifications, selection process, exam pattern, medical standards, training, and how to apply. Candidates must read the full notification carefully before submitting the online application form.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Overview
| Organization Name | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT‑02/2026) |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 (at Air Force Training Establishments) |
| Branches | Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non‑Technical) |
| Entry Types | AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry (Flying), GATE Score Entry (Ground Duty Technical) |
| Application Mode | Online only via AFCAT website (https://afcat.edcil.co.in) |
| Exam Mode | Online Computer Based Test (CBT) - AFCAT |
| Course Type | Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer training leading to Permanent/Short Service Commission. |
| Commission Types | Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) for Men and Women (as applicable). |
| Online Examination Date | 08 August 2026 (Saturday) |
| Official AFCAT Website | https://afcat.edcil.co.in |
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening Date for Online Applications | 20 May 2026 (1100 hrs) |
| Closing Date for Online Applications | 19 June 2026 (2330 hrs) |
| AFCAT Online Examination Date | 08 August 2026 (Saturday) |
| AFCAT Admit Card Download | From 04 August 2026 (1100 hrs) onwards (tentative) |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 - Entry, Branch & Vacancies
AFCAT 02/2026 notification gives branch‑wise and entry‑wise vacancies, which are tentative and subject to change as per organisational requirements. Two seats in Ground Duty (Non‑Technical) are reserved for Law‑qualified candidates.
| Entry | Branch | Vacancies - Men (PC) | Vacancies - Women (PC) | Vacancies - Men (SSC) | Vacancies - Women (SSC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | - | - | 30 | 5 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) [AE(L)] & Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) [AE(M)] | AE(L): 2 AE(M): 8 | AE(L): 2 AE(M): 2 | - | - |
| - | - | AE(L): 107 AE(M): 52 | AE(L): 25 AE(M): 13 | ||
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non‑Technical) Weapon Systems (WS), Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology | - | - | WS: 21, Adm: 50, Lgs: 4, Accts: 5, Edn: 1, Met: 1 | WS: 5, Adm: 12, Lgs: 2, Accts: 2, Edn: 2, Met: 2 |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC reserved for NCC Air Wing ‘C’ Certificate holders. | |||
| GATE Score Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) AE(L) & AE(M) | AE(L): 1 AE(M): 1 | AE(L): 1 AE(M): 1 | AE(L): 12 AE(M): 6 | AE(L): 3 AE(M): 1 |
*Vacancies are indicative and may change without notice depending on training slots and organisational requirements.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 - Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must ensure that they satisfy all eligibility conditions of nationality, age, marital status, educational qualification and medical standards as on the prescribed dates. Their admission at all stages is purely provisional and will be cancelled if any ineligibility is detected at any stage.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Candidate must be a citizen of India as per Indian Citizenship Act, 1955. |
| Age - Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry) | 20 to 24 years as on 01 July 2027 i.e. born between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2007 (both dates inclusive). Upper age limit relaxable up to 26 years (born between 02 July 2001 and 01 July 2007) for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India). |
| Age - Ground Duty (Technical & Non‑Technical) | 20 to 26 years as on 01 July 2027 i.e. born between 02 July 2001 and 01 July 2007 (both dates inclusive). |
| Marital Status | Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of course; marriage is not permitted during training. Candidates marrying during training will be discharged and liable to refund the training cost. |
| Educational Qualification - Flying Branch | Must have passed with Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level and one of the following: - Graduation (minimum 3‑year degree) in any discipline from a recognised University; or - BE/B.Tech (4‑year degree) from a recognised University; or - Section A & B examination of AMIE (India) or Aeronautical Society of India. |
| Educational Qualification - Ground Duty (Technical) AE(L) | Candidates must have passed Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 and have a minimum 4‑year degree in Engineering/Technology in specified Electronics/Computer/Electrical/IT disciplines or equivalent as listed in para 5.3.2.1 of the notification. |
| Educational Qualification - Ground Duty (Technical) AE(M) | Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 with a minimum 4‑year degree in specified Mechanical/Aeronautical/Production/Industrial/Automobile/Mechatronics/Metallurgy disciplines as listed in para 5.3.2.2. |
| Educational Qualification - Ground Duty (Non‑Technical) | - Weapon Systems (WS): Maths & Physics at 10+2 and Graduation (3‑year degree) or BE/B.Tech. - Administration & Logistics: 10+2 and Graduation in any discipline or AMIE/ASI. - Accounts: 10+2 and B.Com/BBA(BFS‑Finance)/BMS(BFS‑Finance)/BBS(BFS‑Finance)/CA/CMA/CS/CFA/B.Sc (Finance). - Education: 10+2 and Post‑Graduation in any discipline (with Graduation in any discipline). - Meteorology: 10+2 and B.Sc with Physics & Mathematics or 4‑year Engineering/Technology degree in specified streams. |
| Final Year Candidates | Candidates in final year/semester may apply if they have no present backlog at application time and can submit proof of passing by 30 May 2027. |
| NCC Special Entry | Mandatory NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate acquired within two years from AFCAT registration date (backward calculation). Written exam is exempted; candidates are called directly for AFSB. |
| GATE Score Entry | Candidates with BE/B.Tech in eligible branches and valid GATE score (last 3 years from course start) in notified subjects can apply; AFCAT exam is exempted; shortlisted candidates go directly to AFSB. |
| Disqualifications | Candidates debarred by MoD from any Defence commission, those with criminal convictions or ongoing criminal cases, and those removed from NDA/IMA/AFA/INA/OTAs for indiscipline are ineligible. |
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 - Type of Commission
Type of commission offered varies by branch and gender.
| Permanent Commission (PC) | Available for Men & Women; PC officers serve till superannuation in their respective branches. |
| Short Service Commission (SSC) - Flying Branch | Engagement period of 14 years from the date of commissioning for Men and Women. |
| Short Service Commission (SSC) - Ground Duty (Technical & Non‑Technical) | Initial tenure of 10 years with possible 4‑year extension based on service requirements, vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit. |
| Pension | SSC officers are not entitled for pension; PC officers get pension as per rules. |
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 - Application Fee
A non‑refundable examination fee is applicable for AFCAT entry; there is no fee for NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry.
| Entry | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry (All Branches incl. Tech) | Rs. 550/- plus 18% GST (non‑refundable). |
| NCC Special Entry / GATE Score Entry | No AFCAT examination fee. |
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 - Selection Process
The selection process comprises an online AFCAT exam, followed by Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing, medical examination and final merit list.
Stage 1 - AFCAT Online Examination
| Exam | Subject | Duration | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT | General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test. | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) | 100 | 300 |
Each correct answer carries 3 marks, each wrong answer attracts a penalty of 1 mark, and no marks are awarded for unattempted questions. The paper is in English only, and normalisation of marks is applied when multiple shifts are conducted.
Stage 2 - Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing
- Stage‑I: Officer Intelligence Rating Test and Picture Perception & Discussion Test on Day 1; this is a screening stage.
- Stage‑II: Psychological tests, Group Tests and Personal Interview over the next days for Stage‑I qualified candidates.
- CPSS: Computerised Pilot Selection System for Flying Branch candidates (once‑in‑a‑lifetime test; CPSS/PABT failures are ineligible for Flying Branch).
Stage 3 - Medical Examination & Final Merit
Candidates recommended by AFSB and found medically fit by the appropriate medical board are considered for training strictly in order of merit and branch‑wise vacancies. The final merit list is based on combined marks of AFCAT (where applicable) and AFSB.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 - Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The AFCAT paper is of graduation‑level standard (except Numerical Ability, which is matriculation level) and tests a mix of aptitude and knowledge.
- English: Comprehension, error detection, sentence completion, synonyms/antonyms, cloze test, idioms & phrases, analogy, sentence rearrangement, one‑word substitution, homonyms.
- General Awareness: History, Geography, Sports, National & International Organisations, Art & Culture, Personalities, Environment & Ecology, Polity, Economy, Basic Science, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, Defence.
- Numerical Ability: Fractions, Time & Work, Average, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Interest, Time & Distance, Area & Perimeter, Probability, Number System, Mixture & Allegation, Squares/Cubes, HCF & LCM, Mensuration, Heights & Distances, Statistics.
- Reasoning & Military Aptitude: Verbal and Non‑Verbal Reasoning.
An online practice test is available on the IAF AFCAT website.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 - Training, Pay & Allowances
Candidates recommended by AFSBs and found medically fit are detailed for training at Air Force Training Establishments based on merit and branch.
- Training Date & Duration: Training is scheduled to commence in the first week of July 2027; duration is approximately 62 weeks for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) branches and 50 weeks for Ground Duty (Non‑Technical).
- Stipend during Training: Flight Cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month during one year of training (as per 7th CPC matrix).
- Pay on Commissioning: Flying Officer - Pay Level 10 (Rs. 56,100-1,77,500) plus applicable MSP and allowances as per branch and posting.
- Insurance: Officers are covered under Air Force Group Insurance Society (AFGIS), with Rs. 1.25 crore cover (on contribution) for death in service and Air Veterans Insurance Cover after retirement for eligible PC/SSC officers.
How to Apply for Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026
Applications must be submitted online only through the AFCAT website; no other mode is accepted. Aadhaar Card is mandatory for online registration, and candidates should use valid email ID and mobile number, which must remain active throughout the selection process.
Step‑by‑Step Process (AFCAT Entry):
- Visit the official AFCAT website https://afcat.edcil.co.in and read the advertisement and instructions carefully.
- Click on the sign‑up/registration link and enter full name, mobile number and email ID, then verify via OTP on email and mobile.
- Agree to the declaration, submit the registration form and obtain the system‑generated User ID and Password sent to registered email and mobile.
- Login with User ID and Password, click on “Go to Application”, and fill personal details, communication details, qualification details, course preferences and other required fields.
- Upload scanned images of recent passport size colour photograph (100-200 KB), signature (80-150 KB), thumb impression (50-100 KB) and live image capture as per specified formats.
- Carefully verify all details using “Preview” and then proceed to pay the examination fee of Rs. 550/- + GST (for AFCAT entry only) through online payment gateway (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, UPI etc.).
- After successful payment and submission, download and print the final submitted application form for future reference.
Applicants should apply well before the last date to avoid last‑minute issues; once submitted, the application cannot be edited, and additional applications against the same Aadhaar will result in only the latest being considered.
Documents to Upload / Produce - AFCAT 02/2026
Scanned Documents to Upload (during Application):
- Recent passport size colour photograph (100-200 KB; JPG/JPEG).
- Signature in black ink on white paper (80-150 KB; JPG/JPEG).
- Thumb impression - Left thumb (male) / Right thumb (female) (50-100 KB; JPG/JPEG/PDF).
- Live image capture via device camera at the time of application.
Documents to Carry for AFCAT Exam & AFSB:
- Printout of e‑Admit Card (AFCAT 02/2026).
- Original Aadhaar Card and a second photo ID (PAN/Passport/Driving Licence/Voter ID etc.).
- Two passport size colour photographs (same as uploaded).
- Original and photocopies of Matriculation and 10+2 certificates and mark sheets.
- Original/provisional Graduation/PG degree and mark sheets (for AFSB).
- Certificate from College Principal for final year candidates specifying aggregate percentage and likely result date.
- Original NCC ‘C’ Certificate (for NCC Special Entry) and GATE documents (for GATE Score Entry).
- NOC from employer for Govt/PSU/Armed Forces personnel, if applicable.
Important Instructions for AFCAT 02/2026 Candidates
- Candidates must ensure eligibility for the branch(es) they apply for; incorrect information at any stage leads to cancellation of candidature.
- Use of unfair means or possession of prohibited items (mobile phones, smart watches, electronic devices, study material etc.) inside the exam hall will result in cancellation and debarment from future AFCATs.
- No request for change of exam centre/date/slot will be entertained; centres may be changed by IAF based on administrative reasons.
- Serving airmen must apply online like other candidates and also follow service procedures as per AFO 11/2015.
- Use/possession of narcotics is strictly banned; candidates may be tested for drugs during medicals and training, and those found positive are liable for termination.
- Permanent tattoos are permitted only on the inner forearms and back of hands (with conditions); non‑permissible tattoos or those with offensive/extremist content lead to rejection.
- Training is rigorous; candidates should maintain good physical fitness (running, push‑ups, rope climbing, swimming etc.) before reporting to Air Force Academy.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Important Links
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Notification PDF: Click here
- Employment News Notification PDF: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
- Join Arattai Channel: Click Here
- Join Telegram Channel: Click Here
- Join WhatsApp Channel: Click Here
- Sarkari Result: Click Here
- Download Mobile App: Click Here
