The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially released the AFCAT 01/2026 Notification for recruitment to the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Both men and women can apply to join as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers.
The online application process will begin on 17 November 2025 and continue till 14 December 2025, while the AFCAT Exam will be held on 31 January 2026.
If you’re a graduate or final-year student dreaming of serving the nation as a commissioned officer, this is your gateway to join the elite Indian Air Force.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | AFCAT 01/2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Indian Air Force |
| Post Name | Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) |
| Course Commencement | January 2027 |
| Application Dates | 17 Nov 2025 to 19 Dec 2025 |
| Exam Date | 31 Jan 2026 (Saturday) |
| Official Website | https://afcat.edcil.co.in |
AFCAT 01/2026 Vacancy Details
Flying Branch & Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical)
| Entry | Branch | Course No. | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 221/27F/SSC/M&W | — | — | 34 | 04 |
| AFCAT Entry | AE (L) | 220/27T/110AEC/M&W | 03 | 03 | 100 | 23 |
| AFCAT Entry | AE (M) | 220/27T/110AEC/M&W | 09 | 03 | 38 | 09 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Tech) | 220/27G/SSC/M&W | — | — | Admin: 48, Lgs: 09, Accts: 08, WS: 21, Edn: 02, Met: 01 | Admin: 12, Lgs: 02, Accts: 02, WS: 05, Edn: 02, Met: 02 |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 221/27F/PC/M & 221/27F/SSC/M&W | 10% seats from CDSE for PC | — | 10% seats from AFCAT for SSC | — |
AFCAT 01/2026 Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as on 01 January 2027)
- Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years (born between 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2007).
Upper age limit for CPL holders: 26 years (born between 02 Jan 2001 – 01 Jan 2007). - Ground Duty (Tech/Non-Tech): 20 to 26 years (born between 02 Jan 2001 – 01 Jan 2007).
Marital Status
Candidates must be unmarried at the start of training. Marriage during training will lead to disqualification.
Educational Qualification
- Flying Branch:
- 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics (50% each)
- Graduation in any discipline (60%) OR B.E./B.Tech (60%)
- Technical Branch (AE-L & AE-M):
- 10+2 with Physics and Math (50% each)
- Engineering degree in Electronics, Electrical, AI, Data Science, Mechanical, Aeronautical, Mechatronics, Power Engineering, etc., with 60%.
- Non-Technical Branches:
- Graduation with 60% for Admin, Logistics, WS, Accts, Edn, Met.
- B.Com or related finance degrees for Accounts Branch.
Final-year students can apply if they have no backlog and score 60% up to last semester.
Physical & Medical Standards for AFCAT 01/2026
Candidates must be physically fit for rigorous training at the Air Force Academy (AFA).
Key Standards:
- Height:
- Flying Branch: 162.5 cm
- Ground Duty: 157 cm (Men), 152 cm (Women)
- Running Test: 1.6 km in 10 minutes
- Push-ups/Chin-ups: 10 push-ups & 3 chin-ups minimum
- Tattoo Policy: Tattoos allowed only on the inner forearm or back of the palm.
AFCAT 01/2026 Selection Process
Stage 1: Online AFCAT Exam
- Subjects: General Awareness, English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Questions: 100 (300 Marks)
- Marking Scheme: +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect
- Level: Graduation level
Stage 2: AFSB Interview
- Conducted at Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, Guwahati
- Includes:
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
- Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT)
- Psychological Tests, Group Tasks & Personal Interview
Stage 3: Medical Examination
- Conducted by the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), New Delhi or IAM Bengaluru.
AFCAT 01/2026 Salary, Pay & Benefits
| Rank | Pay Level | Pay Band (₹) | MSP (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Officer | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 | ₹15,500 |
- Stipend During Training: ₹56,100 per month
- Insurance: ₹1.25 crore cover through AFGIS
- Perks: Flying allowance, uniform grant, ration, subsidized housing & medical care
How to Apply for AFCAT 01/2026 Online
- Visit the official website – https://afcat.edcil.co.in
- Click “AFCAT 01/2026 – Apply Online”
- Register using your Email ID and Mobile Number
- Fill the application form carefully
- Upload photo, signature & thumb impression
- Pay ₹550 + 18% GST (NCC entry exempted)
- Submit and download the filled form for future reference
Documents Required:
- Passport-size photo (100–200 KB)
- Signature (80–150 KB)
- Aadhaar number (last 4 digits mandatory)
- Valid Email ID & phone number
AFCAT 01/2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | November 2025 |
| Online Application Start | 17 November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 December 2025 |
| AFCAT Admit Card | 22 January 2026 |
| AFCAT Exam Date | 31 January 2026 |
| Course Commences | January 2027 |
AFCAT 01/2026 Syllabus (Subject-Wise)
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| English | Vocabulary, Grammar, Cloze Test, Comprehension |
| General Awareness | History, Geography, Science, Current Affairs, Defence |
| Numerical Ability | Profit & Loss, Time & Distance, Percentages, Ratio |
| Reasoning & Aptitude | Verbal and Non-verbal reasoning, Spatial ability |
For a free mock test, visit the official portal: https://afcat.cdac.in
The Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2026 Notification offers a golden opportunity for Indian youth to become commissioned officers in one of the most prestigious armed forces in the world. With multiple branches available for both men and women, it opens doors to serve the nation with pride, technology, and leadership.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, apply online before 14 December 2025 and start preparing today for the AFCAT 2026 online exam.
Apply now: https://afcat.edcil.co.in
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