Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment: Get the latest Indian Air Force recruitment notification for commissioned officer vacancies in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches commencing July 2027. Online applications open on 20th May 2026 (1100 Hrs) and close on 19th June 2026 (2330 Hrs). Apply through the official website https://afcat.cdac.in. You can also get Free Job Alert of "Upcoming Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment" notifications for freshers and experienced candidates. Also know the direct official link for IAF AFCAT 02/2026 apply online from the official AFCAT career page.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF
The Indian Air Force has officially released the AFCAT – 02/2026/ NCC Special Entry / GATE Score Entry notification for grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches for courses commencing in July 2027. Online applications are also invited for NCC Special Entry Scheme (for Flying Branch) and Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE) Score Entry (for Ground Duty Technical branches). Candidates are strongly advised to read the full notification carefully before applying online. The notification and detailed information are available on the official AFCAT website.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment Overview
| Organization Name | Indian Air Force (IAF), Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India |
| Notification | AFCAT – 02/2026 / NCC Special Entry / GATE Score Entry |
| Post Name | Commissioned Officer (Flying Branch & Ground Duty – Technical and Non-Technical) |
| Type of Commission | Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) for Men & Women |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
| Application Mode | Online only (through https://afcat.cdac.in) |
| AFCAT Exam Fee | Rs. 550/- + GST (Non-Refundable) | NCC Special Entry & GATE Score Entry: NIL |
| Pay Scale (on Commissioning) | Flying Officer: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/- (Level 10 as per 7th CPC) + MSP Rs. 15,500/- |
| Official Website | https://afcat.cdac.in |
IAF AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening of Online Registration | 20-05-2026 (1100 Hrs) |
| Last Date for Online Registration | 19-06-2026 (2330 Hrs) |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
IAF AFCAT 02/2026 - Branch, Course Number and Vacancy Details
Vacancies indicated are tentative and subject to change without notice. Actual intake would depend on organizational requirements, various cadre control mechanisms, availability of training slots, and actual number of vacancies accruing in July 2027. No representation in this regard will be entertained. Two seats are reserved from Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vacancies for Law qualified candidates.
| Branch | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Flying Officer | 300+ (Expected) |
| Entry | Branch | Course Number |
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 222/27F/SSC/M&W |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 221/27T/PC/, 111AEC/M&W, 221/27T/SSC/, 111AEC/M&W | |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 221/27G/SSC/M&W | |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 222/27F/PC/M and 222/27F/SSC/M&W |
| GATE Score Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | 221/27T/PC/, 111AEC/M&W, 221/27T/SSC/, 111AEC/M&W |
IAF AFCAT 02/2026 - Type of Commission
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Permanent Commission (PC) – Men & Women | Candidates joining as PC would continue to serve till the age of superannuation in their respective branches as per their rank. |
| SSC – Flying Branch (Men & Women) | Engagement period for Flying Branch SSC officers is 14 years from the date of commissioning. |
| SSC – Ground Duty Technical & Non-Technical (Men & Women) | Initial tenure for SSC officers in Ground Duty branches would be for a period of 10 years. An extension of 4 years may be granted subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability, and merit. |
| Grant of PC (at a later date) | Considered subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability, merit, and as per prevailing policies on the subject. |
Note: SSC officers are not entitled for grant of pension.
IAF AFCAT 02/2026 - Eligibility Criteria (Age)
Candidates must fulfill all eligibility conditions as on 01 July 2027. All age calculations are done with reference to 01 July 2027.
| Branch / Entry | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch (AFCAT Entry) | 20 to 24 years as on 01 July 2027 (born between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2007, both dates inclusive). Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable up to 26 years (born between 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007, both dates inclusive). |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) – AFCAT Entry and Ground Duty (Technical) – GATE Score Entry | 20 to 26 years as on 01 July 2027 (born between 02 July 2001 and 01 July 2007, both dates inclusive). |
IAF AFCAT 02/2026 - Educational Qualifications
Details on physical/medical standards, educational qualifications, and the full selection procedure are available in the detailed notification on the website. Candidates are advised to visit the official AFCAT website for branch-wise educational qualification requirements.
| Branch | Educational Qualification (General) |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, or BE/B.Tech degree. (Refer official notification for full details.) |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | BE/B.Tech in relevant engineering disciplines. GATE Score Entry candidates must have valid GATE scores in specified disciplines. (Refer official notification for full details.) |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Graduation in relevant discipline as per the sub-branch (Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology, Weather Service). (Refer official notification for full details.) |
IAF AFCAT 02/2026 - Pay, Allowances & Privileges
IAF Offers the following pay and benefits on commissioning as per 7th CPC:
| Rank | Pay as per Defence Matrix | Level | MSP (Military Service Pay) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Officer | Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/- | 10 | Rs. 15,500/- |
Note: Flight Cadets shall receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month during one year of training.
Allowances: On commissioning, allowances are applicable based on the branch/nature of posting including Flying Allowance, Transport Allowance, Technical Allowance, Test Pilot & Flight Test Engineer Allowance, Risk and Hardship Allowance, etc.
Privileges: Air Force Officers are entitled to furnished accommodation, comprehensive medical cover for self and dependents, Canteen, Officers' Mess, loans at subsidised rates, LTC, Leave (60 days annual and 20 days casual), subject to service exigencies.
Insurance: Mandatory Insurance Cover is applicable for IAF Officers through Air Force Group Insurance Society (AFGIS). Group Insurance for death while in service is Rs. 1.25 Crore (on contribution). Similarly, PC Officers retiring from service after rendering 20 or more years of service and SSC Officers who have completed 14 years of service are covered under Air Veterans Insurance Cover (AVIC) for Rs. 24 Lacs initially for 15 years, after retirement. The annual transfer for this is Rs. 12 Lacs till the age of 75 years.
IAF AFCAT 02/2026 - Examination Fee
| Entry Type | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry (Men & Women) | Rs. 550/- + GST (Non-Refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry | NIL (No Examination Fee) |
| GATE Score Entry | NIL (No Examination Fee) |
IAF AFCAT 02/2026 - Selection Process
The selection process for IAF AFCAT 02/2026 is merit-based. Candidates registering for AFCAT entry will have to pay the examination fee and appear for the AFCAT Online Test conducted at various centres. Details of conduct of exam, examination centres, and mode of payment are available in the notification.
| Stage | Process |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | AFCAT Online Examination / NCC Special Entry / GATE Score Screening |
| Stage 2 | Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview (including Psychological Test, Group Tests, and Interview) at various AFSB centres |
| Stage 3 | Medical Examination at Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) / Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) |
| Stage 4 | Final Merit List and Joining Instructions |
Physical Conditioning: Candidates are advised to be physically fit when reporting for SSB. Aim to achieve an ability to run 01 mile (1.6 km) in 10 minutes, do 10 push-ups and 03 chin-ups. Prospective candidates are also advised to keep themselves in good physical condition by training at RFA which encompasses running, swimming, rope climbing, and other forms of physical training/conditioning. Mandatory tests are conducted during training.
How to Apply for IAF AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment
Interested candidates should log on to https://afcat.cdac.in to apply. No other means/mode of application shall be accepted. Candidates are required to possess a valid email ID and active mobile phone number throughout the selection process. Online registration will open on 20-05-2026 (1100 Hrs) and close on 19-06-2026 (2330 Hrs).
Candidates eligible for one or more entries are required to register separately for each entry. After applying online, the candidate is required to download the application slip generated by the system with a unique application number. Information filled in by candidates in the online application form will be considered final and no amendments will be allowed subsequently. Candidates should exercise due care while entering their date of birth.
Important Points Before Registration:
- Candidates must maintain their unique registered Email ID and mobile phone number active throughout the selection process.
- PAN Card and account in SBI/Nationalised Bank is mandatory at the time of joining Air Force Academy.
- Aadhaar Card is mandatory for registration.
- Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course. Marriage during the period of training shall result in discharge and liability to refund all expenditure incurred by the Government.
Apply Online at: https://afcat.cdac.in
For Queries: Related to conduct of online examination, registration process, and admit cards — contact +91 9513252077 or E-Mail [email protected]. For queries regarding eligibility, allotment of AFSB centres, conduct of AFSB interview, merit list, and Joining Instructions — contact 011-23010231 Extn 7610 or Toll free number 1800-11-2448.
Important Instructions for IAF AFCAT 02/2026 Candidates
- Only Indian Citizens as per Citizenship Act 1955 are eligible to apply.
- Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course.
- Permanent body tattoos are not permitted on any other body part except on the inner face of forearms (elbow to wrist) and on the reverse side (palm/back dorsal) of both hands. Self-declaration certificate is mandatory for small innocuous tattoos that are not prejudicial to good order and military discipline.
- Use/possession of narcotics is banned. Candidates found using narcotics at any time during training will be debarred from joining the IAF.
- Information filled in online application is final — no amendments allowed subsequently. Exercise due care while entering date of birth.
- Travel Allowance (TA) to and fro for travelling to AFSB will be reimbursed at AC-III Tier/AC Chair Car or actual normal bus fare for first-time candidates. No TA is admissible if you have already appeared for the same type of entry at any of the Selection Boards.
- Candidates must furnish correct and active Saving Bank Account details (not SB Account like Sukanya Samridhi etc.) for transfer of TA claims.
- Candidates are advised to keep themselves regularly updated through the official AFCAT website regarding all selection process alerts.
- Selection in the Indian Air Force is fair and merit-based. Any attempt to influence the selection process at any stage or use of any unfair means like forgery, impersonation, or supplying false information is liable to lead to termination of candidature or initiation of service and legal action against the candidate.
- Terms and conditions given in the advertisement are only guidelines and are subject to change without notice.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Important Links
- 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
