AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment | Official Notification

Last Date:

Indian Air Force Invites Applications For AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment For Flying And Ground Duty Branches — Online Applications Open From 17 Nov 2025 (1100 Hr) To 14 Dec 2025 (2330 Hr). Exam Date: 31 Jan 2026.

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How To Apply: Apply Online Only Via The AFCAT Portal. Aadhaar Is Mandatory For Registration. Application Fee For AFCAT Entry: ₹550 + 18% GST (Non-Refundable). NCC Special Entry: Fee Not Applicable.

Official Portal: https://afcat.edcil.co.in

Important Dates

Activity	Date / Time	Notes
Online Application Window Opens	17 Nov 2025 (1100 Hr)	Start Registration On AFCAT Portal
Online Application Window Closes	14 Dec 2025 (2330 Hr)	Last Date To Submit Application & Pay Fee
AFCAT Online Exam Date	31 Jan 2026 (Saturday)	All Enrolled Candidates To Appear; Admit Card Available Approximately 9 Days Prior
Admit Card Available From	22 Jan 2026 (1100 Hr) Onwards	Download From Portal
Training Commencement (Approx.)	1st Week Of January 2027	Training Duration Varies By Branch

Eligibility Criteria

Aspect	Requirement
Nationality	Must Be A Citizen Of India
Age Limits	Flying Branch: 20–24 Years As On 01 Jan 2027 (Born Between 02 Jan 2003 To 01 Jan 2007). Upper Age Relaxable To 26 Years For Candidates Holding Valid DGCA CPL. Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20–26 Years As On 01 Jan 2027 (Born Between 02 Jan 2001 To 01 Jan 2007).
Marital Status	Must Be Unmarried At Commencement Of Course; Marriage Not Permitted During Training
Educational Qualifications — Flying	50% In Maths & Physics At 10+2 And One Of: Graduation (3-Year) With Minimum 60% Or BE/B.Tech (4-Year) With Minimum 60% Or AMIE With Equivalent 60%.
Educational Qualifications — Ground Duty (Technical)	Discipline Wise Engineering/Degree Eligibility Applies; Candidates Must Meet Subject And Percentage Requirements As Per Branch.
Educational Qualifications — Ground Duty (Non-Technical)	Typical Requirement: 10+2 With 50% In Maths & Physics At 10+2 Plus Graduation (Min 60%) Or BE/B.Tech (4-Year) With 60% Depending On Sub-Branch.
Final Year Students	Final Year Candidates May Apply If No Backlog And ≥60% Up To Last Semester; Must Submit Proof Of Passing By 30 Nov 2026
Other Conditions	Adhere To Physical, Medical, And Tattoo Policies; Serving Government Employees Must Produce NOC Where Applicable

Vacancy Details

Note: Vacancies Indicated Below Are Tentative And Subject To Change As Per Service Requirements.

Entry	Branch / Sub-Branch	Course Number / Notes	Vacancies
Flying (AFCAT)	Flying Branch	SSC Men & Women	Men: 34 \| Women: 04
Ground Duty (Technical)	Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) AE(L) & Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) AE(M)	PC/SSC Categories As Per Notification	Vacancies Published In Notification; Refer To Full Breakup
Ground Duty (Non-Technical)	Weapon Systems, Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology	PC/SSC Categories As Per Notification	Example Breakup Provided In Notification; Refer To Official Table
NCC Special Entry	Flying (NCC Special Entry)	Seats Reserved As Per Notification	Percentage Seats Applicable As Specified

Vacancy Disclaimer: IAF Reserves The Right To Change Final Vacancies; Actual Intake Depends On Manpower Planning And Medical/Selection Results.

Scheme Of Examination

Exam	Subjects	Duration	No. Of Questions / Max Marks	Marking Scheme
AFCAT	General Awareness; Verbal Ability In English; Numerical Ability; Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test	2 Hours	100 Questions / 300 Marks	+3 For Correct; -1 For Incorrect; 0 For Unanswered. Normalisation May Apply If Multiple Shifts

Practice Tests And E-Admit Card Downloads Are Available On The AFCAT Portal.

Selection Process

Shortlisted Candidates From The Online AFCAT Will Be Called For AFSB Testing. NCC Special Entry Candidates Are Exempted From The Written Exam And Will Be Called Direct To AFSB. AFSB Testing Consists Of Stage-I (OIR & PPDT) And Stage-II (Psychological, Group Tests And Interview). Physical Standards, Medical Checks And Document Verification Apply.

Medical And Physical Standards

Medical Standards Are Detailed In Appendix A Of The Notification; They Cover Anthropometry, Weight-For-Height Charts, ENT, Ophthalmic, Cardiovascular, Musculoskeletal, Psychiatric And Other Systems. Flying Duties Have More Stringent Visual And Anthropometric Limits.

Contact And Helpdesk

AFCAT Helpdesk: +91-9513252077 (0900–1800 Hrs Mon–Sat).
Eligibility / Selection Queries: 011-23010231 Extn 7245 / 7610 Or Toll Free 1800-11-2448.
Email: afcathelpdesk@edcil.co.in

Important Notes And Disclaimers

Admit Card: Download Only From Official Portal; Carry Aadhaar And Second Photo ID To Exam Centre.
Multiple Applications: If Multiple Applications Are Submitted, Only The Latest Against An Aadhaar Number Will Be Considered; Fees Are Non-Refundable.
Vacancies: Tentative; Subject To Change By IAF.
Medical Standards & Tattoos: See Appendix A For Full Medical And Tattoo Policy; Tribal Exceptions And Self-Certification Processes Are Detailed In Annexures.

For Authoritative Details, Cross-Check The Official AFCAT 01/2026 Notification And The AFCAT Portal.

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