AFCAT 2026: The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) led by the Indian Air Force, released the AFCAT 1 2026 notification on 17 November 20255. As per the AFCAT notification 2026, the online application process for the AFCAT 1 2026 Exam has started on 17th November 2025 for Class-I Gazetted Officers Branch and Ground Duty (Non-Technical and Technical) branches. The detailed AFCAT 1 2026 notification has also been released on the official website. The Recruitment has released 340 vacancies. This AFCAT 1 2026 Exam is a section for both male and female contenders who wish to join the Indian Air Force for both Short Service Commission in Flying Branch and Permanent Commission/Short Service in Ground Duties for both Technical and Non-Technical occupations.
AFCAT Notification 2026
AFCAT 2026 application forms have been released. Interested candidates must check the eligibility criteria before submitting the application form. AFCAT 2026 will begin on 17 November 2025 and end on 14 December 2025 through the official website afcat.cdac.in. Learn about the AFCAT 1 2026 exam dates, the application process, admit card, eligibility, and more. The detailed AFCAT 2026 notification was released and is available on the official website. Candidates are to ensure that they have read and understood the details available in the notification before registering.
AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 | Overview
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will shortly make available the AFCAT 1 2026 Notification at afcat.cdac.in for the recruitment of Class-I Gazetted Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty branches. This notification will include information regarding open positions, eligibility requirements, syllabus, exam pattern, and significant dates.
| AFCAT 2026: Overview | |
| Exam | AFCAT 1 2026 |
| Conducted by | Indian Air Force |
| Post Name | Ground Duty (Non-Technical and Technical) and Gazetted Officers in Flying Branches |
| AFCAT 1 2026 vacancy | 340 |
| Exam Level | National |
| Year | 2026 |
| Frequency | Twice a year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 | 17 November 2025 |
| Online Registration Dates | 17 November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 14 December 2025 |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Salary | Rs. 56100- Rs. 177500 (Flying Officer) |
| Age Limit | 20 – 24 years (Flying Branch) 20- 26 years (Ground Duty Branches) |
| AFCAT official website | afcat.cdac.in |
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam: Important Dates
The AFCAT 2026 released the official notification PDF, which mentions the exam dates. The important dates are given below:
| Events | AFCAT 1/2026 Important Dates | AFCAT 02/2025 Dates (Previous year) |
| AFCAT 2026 Short Notification | – | – |
| AFCAT Detailed Notification | 17 November 2025 | 27th May 2025 |
| AFCAT Application form | 17 November 2025 | 2nd June 2025 (11 am) |
| AFCAT Last Date to Submit the Application Form | 14 December 2025 | 1st July 2025 (11:30 pm) |
| AFCAT Admit Card release date | Before Exam | — |
| AFCAT 2026 Exam date | 31 Jan 26 (Expected) | September 2025 |
| Course Commences From | Notified later | July 2026 |
| AFCAT Result date | Notified later | – |
AFCAT 1 Online Form 2026 Fee
The application fee must be paid online. Candidates who register for the AFCAT must pay a non-refundable examination fee.
| Category | AFCAT Application Fee |
| For all candidates | Rs. 550/- + GST (non-refundable) |
AFCAT 2026 Exam Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the AFCAT 1 2026 exam, candidates must meet the IAF’s criteria regarding nationality, age limit, educational qualifications, and physical standards. Candidates must check all the eligibility criteria for the AFCAT 1 2026 Application Form.
- Nationality
- Age Limit
- Educational Qualification
| Particulars | Details |
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| AFCAT 1 2026 age limit | 20 years – 24 years for Flying Branch 20 years to 26 years for Technical and Non-technical Branches |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation |
AFCAT 1 2026 Eligibility | Nationality
Candidate must be a citizen of India as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
AFCAT 1 2026 Age Limit
(a) Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years as on 01 July 2025 i.e., born between 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2005 (both dates inclusive). The upper age limit for candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable up to 26 years i.e., born between 02 July 1999 to 01 July 2005 (both dates inclusive).
(b) Ground Duty (Technical/ Non-Technical) Branches: 20 to 26 years as on 01 July 2025 i.e. born between 02 July 1999 to 01 July 2005, both dates Inclusive.
AFCAT 1 2026 Educational Qualification
The Branch-wise educational qualifications are given below in the toggle: Flying Branch, Ground Duty, Technical Branch, Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches, Meteorology Branch.
| Entry Type | Branch | Eligibility |
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | Bachelor’s Degree in Any Stream with Physics & Mathematics at the 12th Level OR BE/B.Tech Degree From Any Recognized Board/ University/ Institution in India. |
| Ground Duty Technical | Aeronautical Engineering Electronics: 12th Passed with Physics & Mathematics (50% Marks), and 4 Years Graduation/ Integrated PG Degree in Engineering/ Technology. Aeronautical Engineering Mechanical: 12th Passed with Physics & Maths (50% Marks), 4 Years Engineering/ Technology Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering OR Equivalent Eligibility From Any Recognized University/ Institution in India. | |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical Eligibility | ||
| Administration and Logistics | Bachelor’s Degree in Any Stream with 60% Marks OR Equivalent Eligibility from Any Recognized University/institution in India. Height Male: 157.5 CM. | Height Female: 152 CM. | |
| Accounts | Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, B.Com with 60% Marks OR Equivalent Eligibility From Any Recognized University/institution in India. Height Male: 157.5 CM. | Height Female: 152 CM. | |
| Education | MBA/ MCA/ MA/ M.Sc. Degree with 50% Marks OR Equivalent Eligibility From Any Recognized University/institution in India. Physical Eligibility: Height Male: 157.5 CM. | Height Female: 152 CM. | |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | NCC Air Wing Senior Division “C” Certificate and Other Details As Per Flying Branch Eligibility. |
| Meteorology Entry | Meteorology | Master’s Degree in Any Stream OR Equivalent Eligibility From Any Recognized University/institution in India. For more complete information, kindly read the AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment Notification 2025. |
AFCAT 2026 Selection Process
The AFCAT selection process mainly consists of three distinct phases, and candidates must successfully clear each stage to secure their desired post within different departments. Aspiring candidates have the option to select from the Flying Branch (Pilot), Ground Duty Technical (Electrical, Mechanical), and Ground Duty Non-Technical (Administration, Logistics) branches. Further details regarding the AFCAT 1 2026 selection process for both ground duty and flying branches are provided below.
- The AFCAT selection procedure involves an online examination followed by an interview with the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB). Candidates who pass the AFCAT Exam Notification 2026 receive an invitation for the AFSB Interview.
- Applicants who are recommended by the AFSB interview must submit to a medical examination. Following that, the IAF prepares a merit list for the AFCAT Selection Procedure, and candidates are invited to train at the Air Force Academy.
- Candidates are chosen solely based on merit through AFCAT. Candidates must not only demonstrate Officer-Like-Qualities (OLQs), but they must also meet the Indian Air Force’s medical standards.
- The AFCAT selection process examines all aspects of a participant’s aptitude, psychology, personality, and knowledge. Only candidates who meet the IAF’s standards and perform exceptionally well in the tests are chosen.
Candidates must go through several selection rounds before being selected for the Indian Air Force. Only those candidates who pass each round are considered for the next. We have discussed details on the various stages of the selection process in the table below to help you understand it better:
| Stages | Name of Stages |
| Stage 1 | AFCAT Written Exam |
| Stage 2 | AFSB Interview |
| Stage 3 | Medical Test |
| Stage 4 | Final Merit List |
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS-
Eligible candidates are to register online through separate tabs available for AFCAT Entry/ NCC Special Entry. Candidates eligible for one/more entries are to register separately for each entry.
Tattoos:-
The policy on permanent body tattoos is as follows:-
(a) Permanent body tattoos are not permitted on any other body part either visible or non-visible part, except on the Inner face of the forearms i.e. from the Inside of the elbow to the wrist of both the hands and the Reverse side of the palm/back (dorsal) side of both hands for which a candidate will be required to sign a Self-declaration Certificate. Small, innocuous tattoos that are not prejudicial to good order and military discipline are permitted e.g. religious symbols or names of near and dear ones.
Narcotics:-
The use/ possession of narcotics is banned. A candidate may be tested for the presence of drugs in the body during Medicals and subsequently during training/ service career as an officer. The candidate will not be allowed to enlist in the Indian Air Force or, if they have already, will have their service terminated if it is discovered that they have used or had drugs at any point throughout their training or career.
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Pattern
The subjects, the time allowed, and the maximum marks allotted to each subject will be as follows:-
- The Online examination will consist of objective-type questions and will be in English only for AFCAT.
- The Marking Scheme is as follows:-
- Three marks will be awarded for every correct answer.
- One mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
- No marks for unattempted questions.
| EXAM | SUBJECT | DURATION | NO. OF QUESTIONS | MAX. MARKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT 2026 | General Awareness, Verbal ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | 02 Hours | 100 | 300 |
AFCAT 1 2026 Syllabus
Check the AFCAT 1 2026 syllabus with topics.
| Subjects | AFCAT Syllabus |
| General Awareness | History, Geography, Sports, National & International Organisations, Art & Culture, Personalities, Environment & Ecology, Indian Polity, Economy, Basic Science Based Knowledge, Science & Technology, Current Affairs (National & International), Defence. |
| English | Comprehension, Detecting Errors in Sentences, Sentence Completion/ Filling in of correct word, Synonym/ Antonym, Cloze Test or Fill in the Gaps in a paragraph, Idioms and Phrases, Analogy, Sentence Rearranging, Substitution in a Sentence/ One Word Substitution. |
| Numerical Ability | Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average/Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Time & Distance and Races (Trains/ Boats & Streams), Area and Perimeter, Probability, Number System & Number Series Mixture & Allegation Rules, Clocks. |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | Odd One Out Analogy Venn Diagram Pattern Completion Dot Situation Analysis Blood Relation Missing Figures Figure Classification Coding and Decoding Spotting the Embedded Figures Sequencing |
You can also check the Indian Navy Agniveer Syllabus from Here.
AFCAT 2026 Salary
Candidates selected through AFCAT earn a monthly stipend of INR 56,100 during the training period. After completing the training period successfully, an IAF Officer will get a salary between INR 56,100 and INR 1,10,700 as per the seventh pay commission. AFCAT salary 2026 is given below:
| Rank | Level | Pay Scale (In INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Officer | Level 10 | 56,100-1,77,500 |
| Flight Lieutenant | Level 10 B | 6,13,00-1,93,900 |
| Squadron Leader | Level 11 | 6,94,00 – 2,07,200 |
| Wing Commander | Level 12A | 1,21,200 – 2,12400 |
| Group Captain | Level 13 | 1,30,600-2, 15,900 |
| Air Commodore | Level 13A | 1,39,600-2,17,600 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Level 14 | 1,44,200-2,18,200 |
| Air Marshal HAG Scale | Level 15 | 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
| HAG+Scale | Level 16 | 2,05,400 – 2,24,400 |
| VACS/Airforce Cdr/ Air Marshal (NFSG) | Level 17 | 2,25,000/-(fixed) |
| CAS | Level 18 | 2,50,000/-(fixed) |
AFCAT 1 Exam 2026 Recommended Books
The following books, arranged by subject and with a buy link, would be beneficial to applicants getting ready for the AFCAT 2026 recruiting exam:
| Subject | Book Type | Hindi Book Link | English Book Link |
| Numerical Ability | Textbook | View Link | View Link |
| General Awareness | Textbook | View Link | View Link |
| Verbal ability | Textbook | View Link | View Link |
| General English | Textbook | – | View Link |
AFCAT Notification 2026 | FAQs:
Ans. The AFCAT 2026 Official Notification was released on 17 November 2025
Ans. Yes, the AFCAT is conducted twice a year, typically in February and August. The official notifications for the exams are released in December for the February exam and in June for the August exam.
Ans. There is no restriction on the number of attempts to take the AFCAT.
Ans. The best degree of all is a BE/B Tech degree (four years of study) from an accredited university with at least 60% of the relevant subjects completed or equivalent. This degree is necessary for the AFCAT Flying Branch.
Ans. The AFCAT 1 2026 selection process includes the following stages i.e. Online Written Exam, AFSB Interview, and Medical Exam.
Ans. Indian Air Force conducts the AFCAT examination, which stands for Air Force Common Entrance Test, for admission to the elite Air Force Academy.
Ans. The AFCAT 1 Online Form 2026 will start from 17 November 2025 to 14 December 2025.
