| Detail |
Info |
| Organization |
Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Exam Name |
Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT‑02/2026) |
| Post |
Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers (Flying & Ground Duty) |
| Total Vacancies |
379 (Indicative) |
| Application Mode |
Online only via official AFCAT website |
| Exam Mode |
Online Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Course Commencement |
July 2027 |
Post & Organization Details
The Indian Air Force is recruiting Men and Women as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers for the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non‑Technical) branches. The training will start in July 2027 at various Air Force training establishments.
Vacancy Details
| Entry |
Branch |
Vacancies – Men (PC) |
Vacancies – Women (PC) |
Vacancies – Men (SSC) |
Vacancies – Women (SSC) |
| AFCAT Entry |
Flying |
– |
– |
30 |
5 |
| AFCAT Entry |
Ground Duty (Technical) – Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) [AE(L)] & Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) [AE(M)] |
AE(L): 2 AE(M): 8 |
AE(L): 2 AE(M): 2 |
AE(L): 107 AE(M): 52 |
AE(L): 25 AE(M): 13 |
| AFCAT Entry |
Ground Duty (Non‑Technical) – Weapon Systems, Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology |
– |
– |
82 (WS:21, Adm:50, Lgs:4, Accts:5, Edn:1, Met:1) |
25 (WS:5, Adm:12, Lgs:2, Accts:2, Edn:2, Met:2) |
| NCC Special Entry |
Flying |
10 % of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10 % of AFCAT vacancies for SSC reserved for NCC Air Wing ‘C’ Certificate holders |
| GATE Score Entry |
Ground Duty (Technical) – AE(L) & AE(M) |
AE(L): 1 AE(M): 1 |
AE(L): 1 AE(M): 1 |
AE(L): 12 AE(M): 6 |
AE(L): 3 AE(M): 1 |
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria |
Details |
| Nationality |
Candidate must be a citizen of India as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955. |
| Age – Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry) |
Between 20 and 24 years as on 01‑July‑2027 (born between 02‑July‑2003 and 01‑July‑2007). Upper limit relaxable to 26 years for CPL holders. |
| Age – Ground Duty (Technical & Non‑Technical) |
Between 20 and 26 years as on 01‑July‑2027 (born between 02‑July‑2001 and 01‑July‑2007). |
| Marital Status |
Unmarried at the time of course commencement; marriage during training leads to discharge. |
| Educational Qualification – Flying Branch |
Pass in Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 and any of: Graduation (3‑year), BE/B.Tech (4‑year), or AMIE Section A & B. |
| Educational Qualification – Ground Duty (Technical) AE(L) |
Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 plus a minimum 4‑year Engineering/Technology degree in specified Electronics/Computer/Electrical/IT streams. |
| Educational Qualification – Ground Duty (Technical) AE(M) |
Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 plus a minimum 4‑year Engineering/Technology degree in specified Mechanical/Aeronautical/Production/Industrial/Automobile/Mechatronics/Metallurgy streams. |
| Educational Qualification – Ground Duty (Non‑Technical) |
- Weapon Systems – Maths & Physics + Graduation/BE/B.Tech
- Administration & Logistics – 10+2 + Graduation/AMIE/ASI
- Accounts – 10+2 + B.Com/BBA/BMS/BBS/CA/CMA/CS/CFA/B.Sc (Finance)
- Education – 10+2 + Post‑Graduation (any discipline)
- Meteorology – 10+2 + B.Sc (Physics & Maths) or 4‑year Engineering/Technology in specified streams
|
| Final Year Candidates |
May apply if no backlog and can submit proof of passing by 30‑May‑2027. |
| NCC Special Entry |
Valid NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate obtained within two years of registration; written exam exempted. |
| GATE Score Entry |
Valid GATE score (last 3 years) in eligible subjects; AFCAT exam exempted. |
| Disqualifications |
Debarred by MoD, criminal convictions, indiscipline in NDA/IMA/AFA/INA/OTAs, etc. |
Pay Scale & Salary
Details of pay scale and salary have not been disclosed in the AFCAT‑02/2026 notification.
Application Fee
| Entry |
Examination Fee |
| AFCAT Entry (All Branches incl. Technical) |
Rs. 550 + 18 % GST (non‑refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry / GATE Score Entry |
No AFCAT examination fee |
Important Dates
| Event |
Date |
| Opening Date for Online Applications |
20‑May‑2026 (1100 hrs) |
| Closing Date for Online Applications |
19‑June‑2026 (2330 hrs) |
| AFCAT Online Examination Date |
08‑August‑2026 (Saturday) |
| AFCAT Admit Card Download |
From 04‑August‑2026 (1100 hrs) onwards (tentative) |
| Course Commencement |
July 2027 |
Selection Process
- AFCAT Online Examination – Computer based test covering General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning.
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing – Includes Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, and Personal Interview.
- Medical Examination – Comprehensive medical fitness check as per IAF standards.
- Final Merit List – Based on AFCAT score, AFSB performance, and medical fitness.
How to Apply
- Visit the official AFCAT website: https://afcat.edcil.co.in.
- Click on “New Registration” and fill in personal details (name, DOB, email, mobile, etc.).
- Complete the “Online Application Form” by selecting the desired entry (AFCAT, NCC Special, or GATE) and the preferred branch.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents (photograph, signature, educational certificates, NCC certificate, GATE score, etc.) in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the non‑refundable examination fee of Rs. 550 + 18 % GST (if applying under AFCAT Entry). No fee is required for NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry.
- Review the application carefully and submit. Note down the Application Number for future reference.
- Download the submitted application form and keep it safe for future correspondence.
Important Links
FAQ’s
- What is the minimum educational qualification for the Flying Branch?
Candidates must have passed Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 and possess either a Graduation (3‑year), BE/B.Tech (4‑year), or AMIE Section A & B.
- What is the upper age limit for candidates holding a Commercial Pilot License?
Upper age limit can be relaxed up to 26 years for candidates with a valid CPL issued by DGCA.
- Is there any fee for NCC Special Entry?
No, NCC Special Entry candidates are exempted from the AFCAT examination fee.
- Can final year students apply?
Yes, final year/semester students without any backlog may apply, provided they submit proof of passing by 30‑May‑2027.
- When will the AFCAT admit card be available?
Admit cards are expected to be downloadable from 04‑August‑2026 (1100 hrs) onwards.
