The AFCAT-01/2026 notification has been released to recruit 340 officers in the Indian Air Force for Flying, Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical), and NCC Special Entry branches. Applications open on 17 November 2025 and close on 14 December 2025, with the exam scheduled for 31 January 2026.
| Company Name | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Post Name | Officers – Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 01/2026) |
| No of Posts | 340 |
| Pay Matrix | Rs. 56100-177500 |
| Qualification | Any Graduate, B.Tech/B.E, Any Post Graduate |
| Age Limit | 20 to 26 years |
| Start Date for Apply Online | 17-11-2025 |
| Last Date for Apply Online | 14-12-2025 |
| Official Website | afcat.edcil.co.in |
IAF AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment 2025 Vacancy Details
| Entry | Branch | Course Number | Vacancies | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) | |||
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 221/27F/SSC/M&W | — | — | 34 | 04 |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 220/27T/PC/110AEC/M&W 220/27T/SSC/110AEC/M&W | AE(L): 03 AE(M): 09 | AE(L): 03 AE(M): 03 | AE(L): 100 AE(M): 38 | AE(L): 23 AE(M): 09 | |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 220/27G/SSC/M&W | — | — | Weapon Systems (WS) Branch: 21 Admin: 48 Lgs: 09 Accts: 08 Edn: 02 Met: 01 | Weapon Systems (WS) Branch: 05 Admin: 12 Lgs: 02 Accts: 02 Edn: 02 Met: 02 | |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 221/27F/PC/M and 221/27F/SSC/M&W | 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC | |||
Eligibility Criteria
- Flying Branch: Candidates must have completed Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level or hold a BE/B.Tech degree.
- Ground Duty (Technical): Requires a BE/B.Tech degree in specified engineering disciplines.
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Requires Graduation or Post-Graduation in relevant fields such as Administration, Accounts, Logistics, or Education.
Age Limit (as on 01-01-2027)
- Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years as on 01 January 2027 i.e. born between 02 January 2003 to 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive).
- Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 year i.e. born between 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive).
- Ground Duty (Technical/ Non-Technical) Branches: 20 to 26 years as on 01 January 2027 i.e. born between 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive).
Salary
- Flying Officer – Pay as per Defence Matrix: Rs. 56100-177500
- Level: 10
- MSP: Rs. 15500
- Flight Cadets shall receive a fixed stipend of Rs 56,100/- per month during one year of training.
- On commissioning, in addition to pay, allowances are applicable based on the branch/nature of duty/place of posting e.g. Flying Allowance, Transport Allowance, Technical Allowance, Test Pilot & Flight Test Engineer Allowance Risk and Hardship Allowance etc.
Application Fee
- Examination For AFCAT Entry: Rs. 550/- + GST (Non-refundable)
- For NCC Special Entry: NIL
Important Dates
- Starting Date for Apply Online: 17-11-2025
- Last Date for Apply Online: 14-12-2025
- Online AFCAT examination date: 31-01-2026
Selection Process
AFSB Testing
Stage-I:
- Officer Intelligence Rating Test along with Picture Perception and discussion test will be conducted on the first day.
- Stage-I test is a screening test and only those who qualify would undergo subsequent testing.
- All Stage-I qualified candidates would be subjected to document check to ascertain their eligibility for the branches applied for.
- Candidates who either do not qualify in Stage-I or do not meet the required eligibility criteria would be sent back on the first day itself.
Stage-II: Psychological test will be conducted on Day 1(Evening) and the Group Tests and Interview would commence after document check for the next five days.
For Flying Branch
- Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) would be administered to recommended candidates only.
- This is once in a lifetime test. Candidates who have failed the CPSS/ PABT in an earlier attempt or a Flight Cadet suspended from flying training at Air Force Academy will not be eligible.
Final Merit List
- To be acceptable, candidates should secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in written examination and AFSB test as fixed by the IAF.
- Candidates will be placed in the order of merit on the basis of the total marks secured by them in the written examination and in the AFSB tests.
- The form and manner of communication of the result of the examination to individual candidates shall be decided by the IAF in their discretion.
- 10% of the vacancies are reserved for NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate holders in Ground Duty (Technical and Non Technical) Branches.
- Allotment of Branch would be based on number of vacancies, performance in the selection process, medical fitness and the choice given by the candidates.
How to Apply
- Aspirants for IAF are required to apply online by using the link https://afcat.edcil.co.in
- Aadhaar Card is mandatory for online registration.
- Applicants need to exercise utmost care while filling in the online application. In case any information is found to be incorrect, the candidature is liable to be cancelled at any stage of the selection process.
- Please verify the correctness of information entered in all the fields before proceeding with the “Submit” option. Applicants will not be able to edit the previous details entered after the “Submit” option.
- If an applicant has submitted more than one application, only the latest submitted application form against a particular Aadhaar Number, will be considered for issue of Admit Card.
- However, the fee deposited while filling additional applications will not be refundable.
- Read the advertisement & Instructions carefully on https://afcat.edcil.co.in
- Details once filled by candidate in the on-line application form will not be changed after final submission.
- In case any information is found to be incorrect, the candidature is liable to be cancelled at any stage of the selection process.
- Please verify the correctness of information entered in all the fields before proceeding with the “Make Payment” option.
- Applicants will not be able to edit the previous details entered after the “Make Payment” step.
- Candidates should take utmost care in furnishing / providing the correct details while filling in the on-line application
- The process for submitting the application for “AFCAT 01/2026” is given below:
- Step-I: Sign up/Registration of Personal and Contact details. User-Id and password will be sent through e-mail and SMS on registered E-Mail and Mobile Number. After registration candidates can either click on Go to Application or they can log out and then Re-Login using above provided User-Id and password and then click on Go to Application.
- Step-II: Candidates are required to complete the fields of Personal Details, Communication Details, Qualification Details, Declaration, Click/Upload relevant Documents (photo/signature) and to submit Application Fee (wherever applicable) online via Payment Gateway.
IAF AFCAT 01/2026 Important Links
- Detailed Notification PDF: Click here
- Employment Notification PDF: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
