Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment: Apply Online for Flying & Ground Duty Branches
Join Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially released the notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2026 Batch for courses commencing in January 2027. This recruitment provides a golden opportunity for Indian citizens (Men and Women) to join as Group 'A' Gazetted Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches.
Important Dates & Schedule
| Event | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 17 November 2025 (11:00 Hr) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 19 December 2025 Extended (23:30 Hr) |
| Online AFCAT Exam Date | 31 January 2026 (Saturday) |
| Admit Card Release Date | 22 January 2026 (11:00 Hr) Onwards |
Application Fee & Payment Mode
| Entry Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry (All Candidates) | Rs. 550/- + GST (Non-refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry | Rs. 0/- (Nil) |
The fee must be paid online via Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking facility.
Age Limit & Tentative Vacancies
Age will be calculated as on 01 January 2027.
| Branch Name | Age Limit | Commission Type |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 Years | Short Service Commission (SSC) |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) | 20 to 26 Years | Permanent Commission (PC) & SSC |
| Total Vacancies: Approx. 340+ posts (Exact numbers are branch-specific as per the detailed PDF) | ||
Educational Qualification Criteria
Mandatory Basic Qualification: All candidates must have passed 10+2 with minimum 50% marks in both Math and Physics (Except for Non-Tech branches like Admin/Logistics).
- Flying Branch: Graduate in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks OR B.E/B.Tech degree with 60% marks.
- Ground Duty (Technical): Four-year degree in Engineering/Technology with a minimum of 60% marks.
- Ground Duty (Non-Tech - Admin & Logistics): Graduate degree in any stream with a minimum of 60% marks.
AFCAT Written Exam Pattern
| Subject | Duration | No. of Questions | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | 02 Hours | 100 | 300 |
Marking Scheme: +3 marks for every correct answer and -1 mark for every incorrect answer.
Selection Process
- Online Written Examination (AFCAT)
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview (Includes Psychological Test, Group Tasks, and Interview)
- Medical Examination
- Final Merit List Preparation
Training Period: 62 weeks for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) branches; 50 weeks for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches.
How To Apply Online 2025
- Visit Official Portal: Go to the official website https://afcat.edcil.co.in.
- Sign Up: Click on "Candidate Login" and then "Register Here" to create a new account using your email ID and mobile number. Aadhaar Card is mandatory.
- Fill Application: Log in and fill in all required personal, educational, and preferred course details.
- Upload Documents: Upload your photograph, signature, and left/right thumb impression as per the specified formats.
- Pay Fee: Proceed to the payment gateway and submit the Rs. 550/- application fee (if applicable).
- Final Submit & Print: Review the application thoroughly, submit it, and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
Quick Important Links
| Apply Online Link | Click Here |
| Download Official Notification (PDF) | Download Now |
| Official Website | Visit Site |
Disclaimer: All details are based on the official AFCAT 01/2026 notification. Candidates are strongly advised to refer to the official PDF before applying.
