Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Notification Out. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the notification for Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2026 on 20th May 2026 for courses commencing in July 2027. Candidates aspiring to join the IAF as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branches can register and apply online from 20th May through the official website i.e. afcat.edcil.co.in.
The last date to fill out the AFCAT 02/2026 Application Form is 19th June 2026. Candidates can download the AFCAT 02/2026 Notification PDF and also check the branch-wise vacancies, eligibility, exam pattern, and selection process in this article.
AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment Notification inviting applications from both Men and Women for grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) and Permanent Commission (PC) in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official website afcat.edcll.co.in.
| Organisation Name | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2026 |
| Post Type | Commissioned Officer (Flying & Ground Duty) |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non-Technical) |
| Entry Schemes | AFCAT, NCC Special Entry, GATE Score Entry |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Registration Dates | 20th May to 19th June 2026 |
| Course Commencing | July 2027 |
| Educational Qualification | Graduate / BE / B.Tech / Post Graduate (as per branch) |
| Age Limit | 20-24 years (Flying) / 20-26 years (Ground Duty) |
| Selection Process | AFCAT Written Exam / GATE / NCC C Certificate → AFSB Interview → Medical Exam |
| Salary (Post-Commissioning) | Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 (Level 10) + MSP ₹15,500 + Allowances |
AFCAT 02/2026 Vacancy Details
Vacancies are tentative and will be published in the detailed notification. However, the entry-wise branches and course numbers are as follows:
Important Dates
The online application process for AFCAT 02/2026 begins on 20th May 2026. Candidates must complete their registration before the deadline. Check all important dates below.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 12th May 2026 |
| AFCAT Apply Online Starts | 20th May 2026 (11:00 Hrs) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 19th June 2026 (23:30 Hrs) |
| AFCAT Exam Date | To be notified (Expected July/Aug 2026) |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
Nationality
Candidate must be a citizen of India as per Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
Age Limit (as on 01st July 2027)
| Branch | Age Limit | Date of Birth Range |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry) | 20 to 24 years | 02 July 2003 to 01 July 2007 |
| Flying Branch (with valid CPL issued by DGCA) | 20 to 26 years (relaxation) | 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007 |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) | 20 to 26 years | 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007 |
Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of course. Marriage is not permitted during training.
Educational Qualification
Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry)
Mandatory: Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level.
Plus any one of the following:
- Graduation (minimum 3-year degree course) in any discipline from a recognized University.
- BE/B.Tech (4-year course) from a recognized University.
- Sections A & B of AMIE or Aeronautical Society of India.
Ground Duty (Technical) Branch – Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) [AE(L)]
- Mandatory: Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level.
- Plus: BE/B.Tech (4 years) or Integrated PG in Engineering/Technology in relevant disciplines including Computer Science, Electronics & Communication, Electrical, Information Technology, Instrumentation, etc. (83 disciplines listed in notification).
Ground Duty (Technical) Branch – Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) [AE(M)]
- Mandatory: Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level.
- Plus: BE/B.Tech (4 years) or Integrated PG in Engineering/Technology in relevant disciplines including Aeronautical, Mechanical, Production, Automobile, Mechatronics, Metallurgy, etc. (39 disciplines listed in notification).
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches
| Branch | Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| Weapon Systems (WS) | 10+2 with Physics & Maths + Graduation (any discipline) OR BE/B.Tech |
| Administration & Logistics | 10+2 + Graduate Degree (any discipline) from recognized university |
| Accounts | 10+2 + B.Com OR BBA (Finance) / BMS (Finance) / BBS (Finance) OR Qualified CA/CMA/CS/CFA OR B.Sc. with Finance specialization |
| Education | 10+2 + Post-Graduation (any discipline) + Graduation (any discipline) |
| Meteorology | 10+2 + B.Sc. with Physics & Mathematics OR BE/B.Tech in specified engineering streams |
Note for Final Year Students: Candidates studying in final year/semester can also apply, provided they have no current backlog. They must submit proof of completion of final exams by 30th May 2027.
Online Application Link
Eligible candidates must register online through the official AFCAT website. The link for AFCAT Entry and NCC Special Entry will be separate. Candidates eligible for multiple entries must register separately for each.
How to Apply online
The application form for the AFCAT 02/2026 Session is available on the official website of the Indian Air Force. Interested candidates can check the steps to apply for the exam below:
Step 1: Visit the official website at afcat.edcil.co.in.
Step 2: Click on the “AFCAT 02/2026 Registration” link available on the homepage.
Step 3: Complete New Registration by entering full name (as per 10th certificate), mobile number, and email ID. Generate OTP to verify.
Step 4: After successful registration, you will receive Application Sequence No. (User ID) & Password on email and mobile.
Step 5: Log in using the User ID and Password. Change the default password if required.
Step 6: Fill out the complete application form, including:
- Personal Details (Name, Father’s Name, Mother’s Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Marital Status)
- Communication Details (Permanent & Correspondence Address)
- Qualification Details (10+2, Graduation, Post-Graduation as applicable)
- Course Preferences (Flying / Ground Duty Technical / Ground Duty Non-Technical)
- AFSB Preference (for NCC candidates)
- Test State & City Preferences (for AFCAT candidates)
Step 7: Upload scanned photograph, signature, and thumb impression (left thumb for male, right thumb for female) in prescribed format and size.
Step 8: Proceed to fee payment (₹550 + 18% GST) using Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking/UPI. (NCC Special Entry & GATE Score Entry candidates are exempted from fee.)
Step 9: After successful payment, preview the application form and submit.
Step 10: Download and take a printout of the AFCAT Application Form for future reference.
Note: Candidates can edit information only before final submission. Once submitted, no changes are allowed.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Rs. 550/- + GST (Non-refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry | No Fee |
| GATE Score Entry | No Fee |
Fee payment is to be made online through net banking, debit card, or credit card.
Air Force AFCAT Selection Process
The selection process consists of the following stages:
- Written Exam (AFCAT) – For AFCAT entry. Objective type covering General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude.
- GATE Score – For Ground Duty (Technical) GATE entry.
- NCC ‘C’ Certificate – For NCC Special Entry (Flying branch).
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview – Including Psychological, Group Tests, and Personal Interview (5 days).
- Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) – For Flying branch candidates only.
- Medical Examination – As per IAF medical standards.
- Merit List – Final selection based on combined performance.
Air Force AFCAT Salary & Benefits
On commissioning, officers receive the following pay and allowances:
| Rank | Pay Matrix | Pay Level | MSP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Officer | Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 | Level 10 | Rs. 15,500 |
Additional Allowances: Flying Allowance, Technical Allowance, Transport Allowance, Risk & Hardship Allowance, etc.
Privileges: Furnished accommodation, medical cover for self & dependents, Canteen, Loans at subsidised rates, Leave (60 days annual + 20 days casual), Insurance cover up to ₹1.25 Cr.
AFCAT 02/2026 Notification PDF
The detailed AFCAT 02/2026 Notification containing complete information on physical/medical standards, educational qualifications, AFSB procedure, and terms of service has been released by the Indian Air Force. The official PDF is attached below.
FAQs
Q1. What is the full form of AFCAT?
AFCAT stands for Air Force Common Admission Test.
Q2. When is the AFCAT 02/2026 exam being held?
The AFCAT 02/2026 exam will be conducted on 08th August 2026 (Saturday).
Q3. What is the age limit for Flying Branch in AFCAT 02/2026?
20 to 24 years (born between 02 July 2003 to 01 July 2007). For CPL holders, upper age limit is 26 years.
Q4. Is there any negative marking in AFCAT?
Yes. +3 marks for correct answers and -1 mark for incorrect answers.
Q5. Can final year students apply for AFCAT 02/2026?
Yes. Candidates in the final year/semester can apply provided they have no current backlog. They must submit proof of degree completion by 30th May 2027.
Q6. Is the AFCAT 02/2026 Notification Out?
Yes. The notification was released on 20th May 2026 on the official website afcat.edcil.co.in.
Q7. What is the application fee for AFCAT 02/2026?
For AFCAT Entry: ₹550 + 18% GST. For NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry: No fee
