The Indian Air Force (IAF) invites Indian citizens (Men and Women) to join this elite force as Group 'A' Gazetted Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches through the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT-01/2026. This recruitment is for courses commencing in January 2026.
🗓️ Key Dates and Application Details
The online application window for AFCAT-01/2026 is from 17 Nov 2025 (1100 Hr) to 14 Dec 2025 (2330 Hr).
| Event | Date / Period |
| Online Application Window | 17 Nov 2025 (1100 Hr) to 14 Dec 2025 (2330 Hr) |
| AFCAT Examination Date | 31 Jan 2026 (Saturday) |
| Admit Card Download | From 22 Jan 2026 (1100 Hr) onwards |
| Official Website (Apply/Admit Card) |
Application Fee
Candidates applying for the AFCAT Entry are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of ₹550/- + 18% GST. This fee is not applicable for candidates applying through the NCC Special Entry.
Eligibility Conditions at a Glance
Eligibility is determined as of 01 January 2027.
Age Requirements
| Branch / Entry | Age Range (as on 01 Jan 2027) | Date of Birth Range |
| Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC SE) | 20 to 24 years | Born between 02 Jan 2003 to 01 Jan 2007 (both dates inclusive) |
| Relaxation for CPL Holders | Up to 26 years | Born between 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jan 2007 (both dates inclusive) |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) | 20 to 26 years | Born between 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jan 2007 (both dates inclusive) |
Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course, and marriage is not permitted during training.
Educational Qualification Summary
Flying Branch
Candidates must have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level, AND must meet one of the following criteria:
Graduation with minimum three years degree course in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. OR
BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. OR
Cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches
| Branch | 10+2 Requirement | Graduation / Post-Graduation Requirement |
| Weapon Systems (WS) | Mandatory 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level | Graduation (minimum three years degree course) in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent OR B.E./B.Tech (Four years course) with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent |
| Administration & Logistics | Passed 10+2 | Graduate Degree (Minimum three years degree course) in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent |
| Accounts | Passed 10+2 | Graduation with 60% marks in specific streams (B. Com, BBA/BMS/BBS with Finance, Qualified CA/CMA/CS/CFA, or B.Sc. with Finance) |
| Education | Passed 10+2 | Post-Graduation with 50% marks in any discipline AND 60% marks in Graduation in any discipline |
| Meteorology | Passed 10+2 | B Sc with Physics and Mathematics with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent OR four year Graduation in Engineering/Technology discipline with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent |
Note: Candidates studying in the final year/semester can apply if they have no present backlog and have secured a minimum of 60% marks up to the last semester/year for which results are declared. They must submit proof of completion of their final exams by 30 Nov 2026.
AFCAT Online Examination Structure
The examination will consist of objective type questions and will be in English only. The AFCAT will be conducted on 31 Jan 2026 (Saturday).
| Exam | Subject | Duration | No. of Questions | Max Marks |
| AFCAT | General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | 02 Hours | 100 | 300 |
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer: Three marks will be awarded for every correct answer.
Incorrect Answer: One mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
Un-attempted Question: No marks are given.
NCC Special Entry Details
Candidates applying for this entry are mandatorily required to have the NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' certificate.
The 'C' certificate must have been acquired within two years commencing from the AFCAT registration date (calculated backwards).
The written exam is exempted for NCC Special Entry candidates.
NCC Special Entry candidates will be directly called for Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing.
Vacancies: 10% seats are reserved out of CDSE vacancies for Permanent Commission and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for Short Service Commission in the Flying Branch. Additionally, 10% of the vacancies are reserved for NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' certificate holders in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches.
Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing
Candidates who qualify in the Online AFCAT or apply via the NCC Special Entry route will be called to one of the AFSB centers.
AFSB Centres: Dehradun (1 AFSB), Mysuru (2 AFSB), Gandhinagar (3 AFSB), Varanasi (4 AFSB), and Guwahati (5 AFSB).
Testing Stages
Stage-I (Screening): Officer Intelligence Rating Test along with Picture Perception and Discussion Test.
Stage-II: Psychological tests, Group Tests, and Interview, conducted over five days after the document check.
Flying Branch Only: Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) would be administered to recommended candidates. This is a once in a lifetime test.
Documents to Bring to AFSB
Candidates must carry the following documents in original for verification during AFSB testing:
AFCAT Admit Card.
Original Matriculation/ Secondary School Certificate and Mark sheets (for Date of Birth verification).
Original Marks Sheet & Certificate of 10+2.
Original/ Provisional Graduation Degree/ Post Graduation Degree Certificates and Mark Sheet of each year/ semester (issued by University only).
NOC from employers (if working in Central/ State Govt. or Public Sector Undertakings).
Original NCC Certificate (if applicable).
Inbound Railway Ticket/ Bus Tickets (for Travelling Allowance refund).
Candidates are also advised to bring twenty copies of recent passport size colour photographs.
Training & Commission
Type of Commission
Permanent Commission (PC): Offered to Men and Women, particularly in the Technical Branch, allowing service till the age of superannuation.
Short Service Commission (SSC): Offered to Men and Women.
Flying Branch: 14 years from the date of Commissioning.
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): Initial tenure is for a period of ten years, with a possible extension of four years.
Training Details
Commencement: First week of January 2027.
Duration: Approximately 62 weeks for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) Branches; 50 weeks for Ground Duty (Non-technical) Branches.
Important Contact Information
For any queries related to the examination or selection process, candidates can use the following contacts:
AFCAT Help Desk (Online Exam, Registration, Admit Cards):
Phone: +91 9513252077.
Email:
afcathelpdesk@edcil.co.in.
For Queries on Eligibility, AFSB Allotment, Merit List, etc.:
Phone: 011-23010231 Extn 7610 or Toll-free number 1800-11-2448.
Timings: 0930 Hr to 1300 Hr and 1400 Hr to 1700 Hr (Monday to Saturday, except closed holidays).
Official Website:
https://afcat.edcil.co.in.IAF Career Website:
careerairforce.gov.in.
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