Last Date to Apply – 14 December 2025
IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 340 Officer Vacancies
Notification: AFCAT 01/2026 | Last Date: 14 December 2025
Introduction
The Indian Air Force (IAF), operating under the Ministry of Defence, invites online applications for AFCAT 01/2026. This recruitment offers Short Service Commission (SSC) opportunities in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical), including NCC Special Entry. Courses begin in January 2027, enabling graduates to serve as commissioned Flying Officers. The application window opens on 17 November 2025 and closes on 14 December 2025. The AFCAT exam is scheduled for 31 January 2026. Candidates must review the official notification thoroughly before applying to ensure eligibility and readiness for this prestigious defense career opportunity.
Job Overview – IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
| Recruiting Authority | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2026 |
| Post Type | Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non-Technical), NCC Special Entry |
| Total Vacancies | 340 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 17 November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 December 2025 |
| Exam Date | 31 January 2026 |
| Course Commencement | January 2027 |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
Important Dates IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 8 November 2025 |
| Application Start | 10 November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 December 2025 |
| Exam Date | 31 January 2026 |
Vacancy Details IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
| Branch | Type | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer | 34 | 04 | 38 |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer | 138 | 32 | 170 |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer | 89 | 25 | 114 |
Age Limit IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
| Branch | Age Criteria |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 years |
| Ground Duty Branches | 20 to 26 years |
Salary Structure IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
| Post | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Commissioned Officer | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 + MSP ₹15,500 + allowances |
IAF AFCAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
| Entry Type | Branch | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying Branch |
Graduation (3-year degree) in any discipline with minimum 60% marks OR B.E./B.Tech with minimum 60% marks OR Section A & B of AMIE (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with 60% marks |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) |
10+2 with Physics and Mathematics AND 4-year Degree or Postgraduate in Engineering/Technology in relevant disciplines |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Technical) |
Administration & Logistics: Graduate Degree in any discipline Accounts: B.Com Degree Education: MBA / MCA / MA / M.Sc. with 50% PG and 60% in Graduation |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying Branch |
10+2 with Physics and Mathematics AND Graduation (3-year degree) with 60% marks OR B.E./B.Tech with 60% marks |
| Direct Entry | Meteorology Branch | 10+2 and Postgraduate Degree in Science/Maths/Statistics/Geography/Computer Applications/Environmental Science/Applied Physics/Oceanography/Meteorology/Agricultural Meteorology/Ecology & Environment/Geophysics/Environmental Biology with minimum 50% aggregate |
Category-Wise Breakdown IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| General | 170 |
| OBC | 90 |
| SC/ST | 80 |
Application Fee IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Candidates | ₹550 (Online Payment) |
How to Apply IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit afcat.edcil.co.in |
| Step 2 | Register and fill the AFCAT 01/2026 application form |
| Step 3 | Upload documents and pay the fee |
| Step 4 | Submit and print the confirmation page |
Essential Links IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
| Link | Description |
|---|---|
| AFCAT 01/2026 PDF Notification | Download the official notification for AFCAT 2026 recruitment |
| IAF AFCAT 2026 Online Application Link | Apply online for Flying and Ground Duty Officer posts |
Documents Required IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
- Scanned passport-size photo and signature
- Graduation/Engineering mark sheets
- Valid ID proof
- Category certificate (if applicable)
Exam Pattern IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
| Section | Subjects | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT | General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Reasoning, Military Aptitude | 100 | 300 | 2 hours |
| EKT (for Technical) | Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Science | 50 | 150 | 45 minutes |
Selection Procedure IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026
- Stage 1: Online AFCAT Exam – 31 January 2026
- Stage 2: AFSB Interview (5-day process)
- Stage 3: Medical Examination
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Frequently Asked Questions – IAF AFCAT 2026
1. What is AFCAT 01/2026?
AFCAT 01/2026 is the Air Force Common Admission Test for recruiting Group ‘A’ Officers in Flying and Ground Duty branches.
2. How many vacancies are available in AFCAT 2026?
There are 340 total vacancies across Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches.
3. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 14 December 2025 (2330 hrs).
4. Who can apply for the Flying Branch?
Graduates with 60% marks or B.E./B.Tech holders with Physics and Maths at 10+2 level are eligible.
5. What is the age limit for AFCAT 2026?
Flying Branch: 20–24 years; Ground Duty Branches: 20–26 years as on 01 January 2027.
6. Is there any application fee?
Yes, ₹550 + 18% GST is applicable for AFCAT applicants. NCC Special Entry candidates are exempt.
7. What is the selection process?
It includes AFCAT written exam, AFSB interview, and medical examination.
8. Can final year students apply?
Yes, provided they have no backlogs and meet the minimum marks criteria up to the last declared semester.
9. What is the exam date for AFCAT 2026?
The AFCAT written exam is scheduled for 31 January 2026 (Saturday).
10. Where can I apply online?
Applications must be submitted at the official portal: afcat.edcil.co.in