Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Batch Recruitment 2026
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2026 Batch. This recruitment drive offers a prestigious opportunity for both male and female candidates to join the Indian Air Force as Group 'A' Gazetted Officers in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches. Courses will commence in July 2027 at Air Force Training Establishments. [citation:2][citation:9]
Important Dates
- Notification Release Date: 12 May 2026 [citation:7][citation:10]
- Application Start Date: 20 May 2026 (11:00 AM) [citation:1][citation:4]
- Last Date to Apply Online: 19 June 2026 (11:30 PM) [citation:2][citation:6]
- Last Date for Fee Payment: 19 June 2026
- Admit Card Release Date: 04 August 2026 [citation:2]
- AFCAT Written Exam Date: 08 August 2026 (Saturday) [citation:2][citation:8]
- Result Date: October/November 2026
- AFSB Interview Dates: September 2026 to March 2027
- Course Commencement: July 2027 [citation:1][citation:3]
Application Fee
- AFCAT Entry (General / OBC / EWS): ₹ 550/- + GST [citation:1][citation:7]
- SC / ST / PwD (AFCAT Entry): ₹ 550/- + GST
- NCC Special Entry (Flying Branch): ₹ 0/- (No Fee) [citation:1][citation:6]
- GATE Score Entry (Ground Duty Technical): ₹ 0/- (No Fee) [citation:2][citation:9]
- Payment Mode: Online (Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI) [citation:6]
Age Limit (as on 01 July 2027) [citation:5][citation:7]
- Flying Branch: 20 to 24 Years (Born between 02 July 2003 to 01 July 2007)
- Flying Branch (CPL Holders): 20 to 26 Years (Born between 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007) [citation:1]
- Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 Years (Born between 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007)
- Age Relaxation: As per government rules for SC/ST/OBC candidates (5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC)
Educational Qualification
For Flying Branch:
- Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university with minimum 60% marks [citation:1]
- Must have studied Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level
- Final year students can also apply provisionally
For Ground Duty (Technical Branch):
- Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical): B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or related field with minimum 60% marks [citation:1][citation:4]
- Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics): B.E./B.Tech in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with minimum 60% marks
- Candidates with valid GATE Score can apply under GATE Score Entry (No AFCAT exam required) [citation:2][citation:9]
For Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch):
- Administration & Logistics: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline with minimum 60% marks [citation:1]
- Accounts: Bachelor's Degree in Commerce (B.Com) with minimum 60% marks
- Education: M.A./M.Sc in English, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Statistics, International Relations, International Studies, Psychology, Computer Science, or Political Science with minimum 50% marks
- Meteorology: M.Sc in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Statistics, Geophysics, or Meteorology with minimum 50% marks
- Weapon Systems (WS): B.E./B.Tech in any discipline or Bachelor's Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level
Vacancy Details [citation:1][citation:3][citation:8]
Total Posts: 304+ (Approximately 379 including all entries)
Branch-wise Vacancy Breakup (AFCAT Entry):
- Flying Branch (SSC): 35 Posts (Men: 30, Women: 5) [citation:8]
- Ground Duty (Technical): 211 Posts (Men - AE: 10 PC + 159 SSC, Women - AE: 04 PC + 38 SSC) [citation:8]
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): 107 Posts (Men: 82 SSC, Women: 25 SSC) [citation:8]
Additional Entries:
- NCC Special Entry (Flying): 10% of CDSE Permanent Commission and SSC AFCAT vacancies [citation:8]
- GATE Score Entry (Ground Duty Technical): 26 Posts (Men - AE: 02 PC + 18 SSC, Women - AE: 02 PC + 04 SSC) [citation:8]
Job Location: Across India (Various Air Force Stations & Training Establishments)
Exam Pattern (AFCAT Written Exam) [citation:6]
- Mode of Exam: Online Computer Based Test (CBT) [citation:2]
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Total Questions: 100 Questions
- Total Marks: 300 Marks
- Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deduction for each wrong answer (0.33 marks per incorrect answer) [citation:9]
Syllabus Subjects:
- General Awareness (Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Defence)
- Verbal Ability in English (Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Synonyms/Antonyms, Sentence Completion)
- Numerical Ability (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Data Interpretation)
- Reasoning & Military Aptitude (Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Ability, Decision Making)
Selection Process [citation:1][citation:6]
The selection will be based on the following stages:
- Online Written Examination (AFCAT): Conducted by Indian Air Force on 08 August 2026 [citation:2]
- AFSB Interview (Air Force Selection Board): 5-day selection process for candidates who qualify written exam
- CPSS Test (for Flying Branch only): Computerized Pilot Selection System Test [citation:1]
- Medical Examination: Thorough medical checkup as per IAF standards
- Document Verification
- Final Merit List: Based on AFCAT score + AFSB marks + medical fitness
AFSB Interview Details
The AFSB Interview is a 5-day process conducted at various AFSB centers across India (Dehradun, Mysore, Gandhinagar, Varanasi):
Day 1 (Screening Test):
- OIR Test (Officer Intelligence Rating)
- PPDT (Picture Perception & Discussion Test)
- Result declaration (Screened In/Screened Out)
Day 2 (Psychological Tests):
- TAT (Thematic Apperception Test)
- WAT (Word Association Test)
- SRT (Situation Reaction Test)
- SDT (Self Description Test)
Day 3 & 4 (Group Tasks - GTO):
- GD (Group Discussion)
- GPE (Group Planning Exercise)
- PGT (Progressive Group Task)
- HGT (Half Group Task)
- IOT (Individual Obstacles)
- Command Task
- Lecturette
Day 4 (Personal Interview):
- Detailed interview with the board members
Day 5 (Conference):
- Final assessment and result declaration
Physical & Medical Standards
- Height (Male): Minimum 152 cms (157 cms for Flying Branch)
- Height (Female): Minimum 148 cms (152 cms for Flying Branch)
- Weight: Proportionate to height and age
- Chest (Male): Minimum expansion of 5 cms
- Eye Sight (Flying Branch): 6/6 in both eyes (without glasses) - No color blindness
- Eye Sight (Ground Duty): 6/12 correctable to 6/6
- BMI: Within normal range (18-24)
- No Color Blindness, No Night Blindness
- No Tattoos (except traditional permanent tattoos on inner forearm or back of hand)
- No Flat Foot, No Knock Knees, No Bow Legs
- Dental: Healthy teeth and gums
- Visual Acuity: Candidates must not have any degree of squint or color blindness
Training Details
- Flying Branch Training: 74 weeks at Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad)
- Ground Duty Technical Training: 52 weeks at Air Force Technical College, Bangalore / Air Force Station, Tambaram
- Ground Duty Non-Technical Training: 26-52 weeks at Air Force Academy, Dundigal / Air Force Administrative College, Coimbatore
- Stipend During Training: ₹ 56,100/- per month [citation:10]
- Degree Awarded: Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management / M.Tech (for Technical Branch)
Salary & Benefits [citation:3]
- Stipend during Training: ₹ 56,100/- per month
- After Commission (Level 10): ₹ 61,300 - ₹ 1,93,100 [citation:10]
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹ 15,500/- per month
- Dearness Allowance (DA): As per government norms (currently 50%)
- Free Accommodation: Government quarters provided
- Medical Facilities: Free medical treatment for self and dependents
- Leave: 60 days annual leave + 20 days casual leave + 30 days sick leave
- Flying Allowance (for Flying Branch): Additional ₹ 25,000 - ₹ 30,000 per month
- Technical Allowance (for Technical Branch): Additional ₹ 15,000 - ₹ 20,000 per month
- Other Allowances: Field Area Allowance, High Altitude Allowance, Hard Area Allowance, etc.
- Retirement Benefits: Pension, Gratuity, and other post-retirement benefits
How to Apply for IAF AFCAT 02/2026 [citation:6]
Candidates can apply online through the official AFCAT website. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official AFCAT website: https://afcat.edcil.co.in [citation:2][citation:4]
- Click on "New Registration" for AFCAT 02/2026
- Register with your email ID and mobile number
- Fill the application form with personal, educational, and contact details
- Upload scanned photo, signature, and other required documents
- Pay application fee online (₹ 550 + GST for AFCAT Entry) or select fee exemption (for NCC/GATE entries) [citation:1]
- Submit the application form and take a printout for future reference
- Download the AFCAT Admit Card from 04 August 2026 onwards [citation:2]
Documents Required
- 10th Mark Sheet & Certificate (for date of birth proof)
- 12th Mark Sheet & Certificate (with Physics and Mathematics)
- Graduation Degree Certificate & Mark Sheets (all semesters/years)
- B.E./B.Tech Degree Certificate (for Technical Branch)
- GATE Score Card (if applying under GATE Score Entry)
- NCC Certificate (for NCC Special Entry)
- Recent Passport Size Photograph (10-50 KB, JPEG format)
- Signature (10-20 KB, JPEG format)
- Caste Certificate (OBC/SC/ST/EWS, if applicable)
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- CPL Certificate (for Flying Branch CPL holders)
Important Information
- Marital Status: Unmarried candidates only at the time of training commencement [citation:1]
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen of India
- Number of Attempts: No limit on attempts (age limit applicable)
- Commission Types: Permanent Commission (PC) for Men, Short Service Commission (SSC) for Men & Women [citation:2]
- SSC Tenure: 10 years extendable to 14 years for SSC officers
- NCC Special Entry Benefits: Direct AFSB interview without AFCAT exam [citation:1]
- Travel Allowance: First-time AFSB candidates get travel allowance as per rules [citation:9]
Exam Cities (Major Centers)
Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Allahabad, Bangalore, Bareilly, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cuttack, Dehradun, Delhi, Dispur, Gangtok, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Imphal, Itanagar, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jammu, Jodhpur, Jorhat, Kochi, Kohima, Kolkata, Leh, Lucknow, Madurai, Mumbai, Mysore, Nagpur, Panaji, Patna, Port Blair, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Sambalpur, Shillong, Shimla, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Tirupati, Udaipur, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam
Tips for Preparation
- General Awareness: Read newspapers daily (The Hindu, Indian Express), focus on defence news, current affairs of last 6-8 months
- English: Practice grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and error spotting
- Numerical Ability: Focus on NCERT Mathematics (Class 10 & 12), practice speed and accuracy
- Reasoning: Practice both verbal and non-verbal reasoning from standard books like R.S. Aggarwal
- AFSB Preparation: Join mock SSB sessions, practice group discussions, improve communication skills
- Physical Fitness: Regular running, push-ups, sit-ups, swimming (especially for Flying Branch aspirants)
Helpline & Support
- AFCAT Helpdesk: Available on official website
- Email: afcat@cdac.in
- Toll-Free Number: 1800-208-8072 (during working hours)
Important Links:
Apply Online (AFCAT Official Website)
Alternative AFCAT Website
Download Official Notification PDF
Download Syllabus PDF
Indian Air Force Official Website
Tags: AFCAT 2026, AFCAT 02/2026, Indian Air Force Recruitment, IAF Jobs, Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical, Ground Duty Non-Technical, Defence Jobs, Air Force Common Admission Test, AFSB Interview, Air Force Academy, Officer Entry, SSC Commission, Permanent Commission, Sarkari Result