|
Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2025:
340 Posts, Check Dates, Eligibility, Vacancies & How to Apply |
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially released the
notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2026.
This is a golden opportunity for aspiring candidates (both men and women) to
join the elite force as Group 'A' Gazette Officers in Flying and Ground Duty
(Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Courses are set to commence in January
2027.
This comprehensive guide breaks down all the crucial details
from the official notification, including important dates, vacancy
distribution, eligibility criteria, and the complete selection process.
Indian Air Force.
Last Date: 14/12/2025.
|
AFCAT 01/2026 Notification: Key Details |
Here are the most important details at a glance:
|
Aspect |
Details |
|
Conducting Body |
Indian Air Force (IAF) |
|
Post Name |
Group 'A' Gazette Officers (Flying & Ground Duty) |
|
Notification |
AFCAT 01/2026 |
|
Course Commencing |
January 2027 |
|
Application Dates |
17 November 2025 - 14 December 2025 |
|
Exam Date |
31 January 2026 |
|
Application Mode |
Online |
|
Official Website |
|
AFCAT 01/2026: Key Dates |
Mark your calendars! The application window is short, and
the exam date is set.
|
Event |
Date |
|
Application Start Date |
17 November 2025 (11:00 AM) |
|
Application End Date |
14 December 2025 (11:30 PM) |
|
AFCAT Online Exam Date |
31 January 2026 (Saturday) |
|
Application Website |
https://afcat.edcil.co.in |
|
AFCAT 01/2026 Vacancy Details |
The IAF has announced tentative vacancies for various
branches. Here is a detailed breakdown for both AFCAT Entry and NCC Special
Entry.
AFCAT Entry Vacancies
|
Branch |
Entry
Type |
Men |
Women |
|
Flying |
SSC |
34 |
04 |
|
Ground Duty (Technical) |
|||
|
Aeronautical Engineer (L) |
PC |
03 |
03 |
|
SSC |
100 |
23 |
|
|
Aeronautical Engineer (M) |
PC |
09 |
03 |
|
SSC |
38 |
09 |
|
|
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) |
|||
|
Weapon Systems (WS) |
SSC |
21 |
05 |
|
Admin |
SSC |
48 |
12 |
|
Logistics (Lgs) |
SSC |
09 |
02 |
|
Accounts (Accts) |
SSC |
08 |
02 |
|
Education (Edn) |
SSC |
02 |
02 |
|
Meteorology (Met) |
SSC |
01 |
02 |
|
Total |
273 |
67 |
Total
AFCAT Entry Vacancies: 340
NCC Special Entry Vacancies
- Flying:
10% of CDSE vacancies for Permanent Commission (PC) and 10% of AFCAT
vacancies for Short Service Commission (SSC) are reserved for NCC Air Wing
'C' Certificate holders.
|
Eligibility Criteria (as on 01 January
2027) |
Carefully check the age and educational qualifications
before applying.
Age
Limit
- Flying
Branch (AFCAT & NCC): 20 to 24 years. You must be born between 02
January 2003 and 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive).
- Relaxation:
Upper age limit is relaxation up to 26 years for candidates holding a
valid and current Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
- Ground
Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years. You must be born
between 02 January 2001 and 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive).
Educational
Qualifications
1. Flying Branch:
- You
must have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths
and Physics at the 10+2 level.
- AND
- Graduation
(3-year course) in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks.
- OR
- BE/B.Tech
(4-year course) with a minimum of 60% marks.
- OR
- Cleared
Section A & B of AMIE or Aeronautical Society of India with a minimum
of 60% marks.
2. Ground Duty (Technical) Branch:
- Aeronautical
Engineer (Electronics) - AE(L):
- Min
50% marks each in Math’s and Physics at 10+2 level.
- AND
- A
minimum of 4-year degree/integrated post-graduation in
Engineering/Technology with 60% marks from a recognized university.
- (Eligible
subjects include Electronics, Telecommunication, Computer Science,
and other related engineering streams. Refer to the official notification
for the complete detailed list.)
- Aeronautical
Engineer (Mechanical) - AE(M):
- Min
50% marks each in Math’s and Physics at 10+2 level.
- AND
- A
minimum of 4-year degree/integrated post-graduation in
Engineering/Technology with 60% marks.
- (Eligible
subjects include Mechanical, Aeronautical, Aerospace, Industrial
Engineering, and other related streams. Refer to the official
notification for the complete detailed list.)
3. Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch:
- Weapon
Systems (WS) Branch:
- Min
50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level.
- AND
- A
minimum of 4-year degree/integrated post-graduation in
Engineering/Technology with 60% marks from a recognized university.
(Refer to the official notification for a detailed list of eligible
engineering streams).
- Aeronautical
Engineer (Mechanical) - AE(M):
- Min
50% marks each in Math’s and Physics at 10+2 level.
- AND
- A
minimum of 4-year degree/integrated post-graduation in
Engineering/Technology with 60% marks. (Refer to the official
notification for a detailed list of eligible engineering streams).
4. Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch:
- Weapon
Systems (WS) Branch:
- Min
50% marks each in Math’s and Physics at 10+2 level.
- AND
- Graduation
(3-year course) in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks.
- OR
- BE/B.Tech
(4-year course) with a minimum of 60% marks.
- Administration
& Logistics:
- Passed
10+2.
- AND
- Graduate
Degree (min 3-year course) in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks.
- Accounts
Branch:
- Passed
10+2.
- AND
- B.Com
(min 3-year course) with a minimum of 60% marks.
- OR
- BBA/BMS/BBS
(with specialization in Finance) with a minimum of 60% marks.
- OR
- Qualified
CA/CMA/CS/CFA.
- Education
Branch:
- Passed
10+2.
- AND
- Post-Graduation
with 50% marks.
- AND
- Graduation
in any discipline with 60% marks.
- Meteorology
Branch:
- Passed
10+2.
- AND
- B.Sc.
with Physics and Mathematics with a minimum of 60% marks.
- OR
- 4-year
BE/B.Tech degree with a minimum of 60% marks.
|
How to Apply |
Applications must be submitted online through the official
AFCAT portal. Follow these steps carefully:
- Registration:
Visit the official AFCAT website: https://afcat.edcil.co.in. Click on
"Candidate Login" and select "AFCAT 01/2026" to
register. You will need a valid E-mail ID and Mobile Number.
- Sign
In: After successful registration, sign in using your registered
E-mail ID and the system-generated password.
- Fill
Application Form: Complete the online application form with your
personal details, educational qualifications, course preferences, and
communication details.
- Upload
Documents: Upload scanned copies of your recent passport size
photograph, signature, and thumb impression (left for males, right for
females) as per the specified format and size.
- Make
Payment: Proceed to the payment gateway to pay the application fee
online (if applicable).
- Print
Application: After successful payment, download and print a copy of
your submitted application form for future reference.
|
Application Fee |
Here is the fee structure for the AFCAT 01/2026 application:
|
Entry
Type |
Application
Fee |
|
AFCAT Entry |
₹550/- + GST (Non-refundable) |
|
NCC
Special Entry |
No Fee
Applicable |
The selection process is a multi-stage procedure designed to
select the best candidates.
1.
Online Written Exam (for AFCAT Entry)
Candidates applying for AFCAT entry must first clear the
online examination. While the official notification combines all subjects, the
following breakdown is based on the pattern observed in previous exams:
|
Subject |
No.
of Questions (Expected) |
Max
Marks |
|
General Awareness |
25 |
75 |
|
Verbal Ability in English |
30 |
90 |
|
Numerical Ability |
20 |
60 |
|
Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test |
25 |
75 |
|
Total |
100 |
300 |
Key
Exam Details:
- Total
Duration: 2 Hours (120 Minutes)
- Marking
Scheme:
- Correct
Answer: +3 Marks
- Incorrect
Answer: -1 Mark
- Un-attempted:
0 Marks
- Exam
Date: 31 January 2026 (Saturday)
Note: Candidates applying for NCC
Special Entry are exempted from the written exam and will be called
directly for the AFSB.
2.
Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing
Candidates who clear the AFCAT written exam (or apply via
NCC entry) will be called for AFSB Testing. The AFSB is a comprehensive 5-day
evaluation.
- Stage
I (Screening Test):
- Officer
Intelligence Rating Test.
- Picture
Perception and Discussion Test (PP&DT).
- Candidates
who clear Stage I will stay for the remaining tests.
- Stage
II (5-Day Testing):
- Psychological
Tests: A battery of written tests conducted by a psychologist.
- Group
Tests (GTO): A series of indoor and outdoor tasks, including group
discussions, group planning exercises, and obstacle courses.
- Interview:
A personal interview conducted by the Interviewing Officer.
- Computerized
Pilot Selection System (CPSS):
- This
test is mandatory for Flying Branch candidates only.
- Important:
The CPSS is a "once in a lifetime" test. Candidates who have
failed it once are not eligible to appear for it again.
3.
Final Merit List
A final merit list will be prepared based on the candidate's
performance in the written exam and the AFSB tests. Recommended candidates will
undergo a medical examination.
|
Pay and Allowances (Stipend) |
During the one-year training period, all Flight Cadets will
receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100/- per month.
|
Important Links |
|
Link
Title |
URL |
|
Official Notification PDF |
|
|
Apply Online Link |
|
|
Official Website | Click Here |
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
Q: When does the AFCAT 01/2026 application start?
A: Applications start on 17 November 2025 (11:00 AM).
Q: What is the last date to apply?
A: The last date to apply is 14 December 2025 (11:30
PM).
Q: What is the application fee for AFCAT 01/2026?
A: The fee is ₹550/- + GST for AFCAT entry. There is
no fee for candidates applying through the NCC Special Entry.
Q: I am in my final year of college. Can I apply?
A: Yes, candidates in their final year/semester can
apply, provided they do not have any current backlog and can submit proof of
completing their degree by 30 November 2026.
Q: Is the AFCAT written exam exempted for NCC candidates?
A: Yes, candidates with an NCC Air Wing Senior
Division 'C' certificate who apply through the NCC Special Entry are exempted
from the written exam and are called directly for the AFSB.
This is your chance to earn your wings and serve the nation with
pride. Prepare well, mark the dates, and ensure you meet all eligibility
criteria before applying.
Official Website: https://afcat.edcil.co.in
All the best!
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