Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026,Apply Online for 379 Group A Officer Posts

Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026 Notification Out: Apply Online for 379 Vacancies

Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026 has officially released the AFCAT (02/2026) Recruitment Notification for the selection of Group A Gazetted Officers in Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical Branch, Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch, NCC Special Entry, and GATE Entry. Candidates who dream of serving the nation and building a prestigious career in the Indian Air Force can take advantage of this excellent opportunity.

Under this recruitment drive, a total of 379 vacancies will be filled for courses commencing in July 2027. Interested and eligible candidates can submit their applications through the online mode before the last date.

This recruitment offers opportunities for graduates, engineers, postgraduates, and eligible NCC candidates to join one of India’s most respected defence organizations.

Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026 Overview

Particulars	Details
Organization	Indian Air Force (IAF)
Recruitment Name	AFCAT 02/2026 Entry
Total Vacancies	379 Posts
Job Type	Central Government Defence Job
Course Commencement	July 2027
Application Mode	Online
Starting Date	20 May 2026
Last Date	21 June 2026
Application Fee	₹550 + GST
Age Limit	20 to 26 Years
Selection Process	AFCAT Exam, AFSB Interview, Medical Test
Official Department	Indian Air Force

Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details

The recruitment has been announced for multiple branches of the Indian Air Force.

1. AFCAT Entry

Branch	Vacancies
Flying Branch	35
Ground Duty (Technical)	211
Ground Duty (Non-Technical)	107

Total AFCAT Entry Vacancies

353 Posts

2. NCC Special Entry

Flying Branch seats are available under NCC Special Entry Scheme:

10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for Permanent Commission (PC)
10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for Short Service Commission (SSC)

3. GATE Score Entry

Branch	Vacancies
Ground Duty (Technical)	26

Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026 Total Number of Posts

The Indian Air Force will recruit:

379 Group A Gazetted Officers

through AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry, and GATE Entry.

Important Dates

Candidates should remember the following dates:

Event	Date
Notification Released	May 2026
Online Application Start	20 May 2026
Last Date to Apply	21 June 2026
Admit Card Release	Before Examination
AFCAT Exam Date	To Be Announced
Course Start	July 2027

Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT Recruitment 2026

Before applying, candidates must carefully check the eligibility conditions.

Age Limit

Flying Branch

Candidates should be between:

20 to 24 years

as on 01 July 2027.

Candidates must be born between:

02 July 2003 and 01 July 2007

Both dates inclusive.

Commercial Pilot Licence Holders

Candidates possessing a valid Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) can avail age relaxation up to:

26 years

Ground Duty Technical and Non-Technical Branches

Candidates must be:

20 to 26 years

as on 01 July 2027.

Date of birth should be between:

02 July 2001 and 01 July 2007

Marital Status

Applicants must remain unmarried during the training period.

Important points:

Marriage is not permitted during training.
Candidates marrying during training may be discharged.
Training expenses may be recovered by the Government.

Educational Qualification

Educational qualifications differ according to branch.

Flying Branch Qualification

Candidates must have:

Minimum 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level.

AND

One of the following:

Option 1

Graduate Degree (Minimum 3 Years)

with at least 60% marks.

Option 2

BE/B.Tech Degree

with minimum 60% marks.

Option 3

Qualified Sections A & B of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with minimum 60% marks.

Ground Duty Technical Branch Qualification

Candidates must have:

Minimum 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics in Class 12.

AND

Four-year Engineering Degree or Integrated Post-Graduation in relevant engineering disciplines with minimum 60% marks.

Eligible engineering streams include:

Computer Science Engineering
Information Technology
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Cyber Security
Electronics Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Communication Engineering
Instrumentation Engineering
Robotics Engineering
Aeronautical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Automobile Engineering
Production Engineering
Mechatronics Engineering
Metallurgical Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering

and other approved disciplines mentioned in the official notification.

Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch Qualification

Weapon Systems Branch

Candidates must possess:

50% marks in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level.

AND

Graduation Degree with minimum 60% marks

BE/B.Tech Degree with minimum 60% marks.

Administration and Logistics Branch

Candidates should have:

Graduation Degree in any discipline with 60% marks.

Accounts Branch

Candidates must possess:

B.Com
BBA (Finance)
BMS (Finance)
BBS (Finance)
CA
CMA
CS
CFA
B.Sc Finance

with minimum 60% marks.

Education Branch

Candidates must have:

Post Graduation with 50% marks
Graduation with 60% marks

Meteorology Branch

Candidates should possess:

B.Sc with Physics and Mathematics

Engineering Degree in approved streams such as Computer Science, Electronics, Electrical, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, etc.

with minimum 60% marks.

GATE Score Entry Qualification

Candidates applying through GATE Entry must:

Hold BE/B.Tech degree in approved disciplines.
Possess a valid GATE score.
GATE score should be obtained within three years preceding the course commencement date.

Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026 application Fee

Category	Fee
AFCAT Entry Candidates	₹550 + GST
NCC Special Entry	No Fee
GATE Entry	As per notification

Payment can be made through online methods such as:

Debit Card
Credit Card
Net Banking
UPI

Selection Process

The Indian Air Force follows a multi-stage selection process.

Stage 1: AFCAT Written Examination

Subjects include:

General Awareness
English
Numerical Ability
Military Aptitude Test
Reasoning

Stage 2: Air Force Selection Board (AFSB)

Shortlisted candidates will appear for:

Officer Intelligence Rating Test
Psychological Test
Group Tasks
Personal Interview

Stage 3: Medical Examination

Candidates must meet the prescribed medical standards.

Stage 4: Final Merit List

Final selection depends on:

AFCAT Performance
AFSB Interview Performance
Medical Fitness
Vacancy Availability

Salary and Benefits

Selected candidates receive attractive pay and allowances.

Starting Salary

Approximately:

₹56,100 per month and above

along with various benefits.

Additional Benefits

Military Service Pay
Flying Allowance
Transport Allowance
Housing Facilities
Medical Benefits
Canteen Facilities
Insurance Coverage
Leave Travel Concession
Pension Benefits (as applicable)

Why Join the Indian Air Force?

Joining the Indian Air Force offers:

Respect and Prestige

Serve the nation as a commissioned officer.

Excellent Career Growth

Promotion opportunities throughout service.

Adventure and Leadership

Develop leadership qualities and professional skills.

Financial Security

Competitive salary and allowances.

World-Class Training

Advanced technical and military training.

How to Apply Online for AFCAT Recruitment 2026?

Follow these simple steps:

Step 1

Visit the official AFCAT application portal.

Step 2

Complete registration using email and mobile number.

Step 3

Fill in personal and educational details.

Step 4

Upload:

Photograph
Signature
Required documents

Step 5

Pay application fee online.

Step 6

Review all details carefully.

Step 7

Submit the application form.

Step 8

Take a printout for future reference.

Important Links of Indian Air Force AFCAT Vacancy 2026

Online Application Form	Click Here
Advertisement Details	Click Here
Official Website	Click Here

Documents Required

Keep the following documents ready:

Class 10 Certificate
Class 12 Marksheet
Graduation Marksheet
Engineering Degree Certificate (if applicable)
Identity Proof
Passport Size Photograph
Signature Scan
NCC Certificate (if applicable)
GATE Score Card (if applicable)

Preparation Tips for AFCAT Exam

Candidates should follow these tips:

Read newspapers daily.
Improve English vocabulary.
Practice reasoning questions regularly.
Study current affairs.
Solve previous year papers.
Attempt mock tests.
Focus on time management.
Maintain physical fitness.

Key Learning Points

✔ Indian Air Force has announced 379 vacancies.

✔ Recruitment is for Flying, Technical and Non-Technical Branches.

✔ Online applications started on 20 May 2026.

✔ Last date to apply is 21 June 2026.

✔ Graduates, Engineers and Postgraduates are eligible.

✔ Selection includes AFCAT Exam, AFSB Interview and Medical Test.

✔ Attractive salary, allowances and career growth opportunities available.

✔ Course will commence in July 2027.

AFCAT 2026 Application Fee

Candidates applying through the AFCAT Entry route are required to pay an online examination fee of ₹550 plus applicable GST charges. The fee must be paid through the online payment gateway available during the application process. Once the payment is successfully made, it will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Applicants applying under the NCC Special Entry Scheme are exempted from paying the examination fee and can complete their application without any payment.

Application Fee Details

Category	Application Fee
AFCAT Entry Candidates	₹550 + GST
NCC Special Entry Candidates	No Fee
Payment Mode	Online

Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026 How to Apply Online

Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official Indian Air Force recruitment portal by following the steps given below:

Step-by-Step Application Process

Visit the official AFCAT online application portal.
Complete the registration process using a valid email ID and mobile number.
Create your login credentials and verify your account.
Log in using the registered details.
Fill in personal information, educational qualifications, and communication details carefully.
Upload scanned copies of the required documents, photograph, and signature in the prescribed format.
Review all information before final submission.
Pay the application fee through the available online payment methods.
Submit the application form successfully.
Download and save a copy of the submitted application form for future reference.

Documents Required During Application

Passport-size photograph
Scanned signature
Class 10 certificate
Class 12 mark sheet
Graduation or Engineering certificates
Valid ID proof
NCC Certificate (if applicable)
GATE Score Card (if applicable)

Important Dates for AFCAT Entry 2026

Candidates should keep track of all important events related to the recruitment process.

Event	Date
Online Application Start Date	20 May 2026
Last Date for Online Application	21 June 2026
AFCAT Written Examination	08 August 2026
Admit Card Release Date	04 August 2026
Course Commencement	July 2027

Applicants are advised not to wait until the final date and should complete the application process well in advance to avoid technical issues.

AFCAT 2026 Selection Process

The Indian Air Force follows a comprehensive selection procedure to recruit capable and dedicated officers. The selection process consists of multiple stages designed to evaluate academic ability, leadership skills, personality traits, and medical fitness.

Stage 1: AFCAT Online Examination

All eligible applicants must appear for the AFCAT written examination.

Examination	Subjects Covered	Duration	Questions	Maximum Marks
AFCAT	General Awareness, English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude	2 Hours	100	300

AFCAT Marking Scheme

Correct Answer: +3 Marks
Incorrect Answer: -1 Mark
Unattempted Question: No Marks

The examination is conducted in online mode at designated centres across India.

Stage 2: Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Assessment

Candidates shortlisted from the AFCAT examination will be invited for AFSB testing.

Stage I Screening

The first phase includes:

Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT)

Only candidates qualifying in Stage I move to the next phase.

Stage II Assessment

Candidates who clear the screening process undergo:

Psychological Assessment Tests
Group Discussion Activities
Group Planning Exercises
Outdoor Group Tasks
Personal Interview
Leadership Evaluation

Flying Branch Special Test

Candidates applying for the Flying Branch must additionally qualify the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS), which assesses flying aptitude and pilot suitability.

Medical Examination

Candidates recommended by the Air Force Selection Board are required to undergo a detailed medical examination at designated military medical centres.

The medical assessment evaluates:

Physical fitness
Vision standards
Hearing ability
General health condition
Air Force medical eligibility standards

Only medically fit candidates proceed to the final merit stage.

Final Merit List

The final selection is based on overall performance throughout the recruitment process.

The merit list is prepared considering:

AFCAT Written Examination Marks
AFSB Assessment Performance
Medical Fitness Status
Availability of Vacancies

Candidates securing higher overall merit positions will receive joining instructions for the training course commencing in July 2027.

Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026 Syllabus

The AFCAT examination follows a graduate-level standard, while Numerical Ability questions are generally based on Class 10 mathematics concepts.

English Language

Important topics include:

Reading Comprehension
Grammar and Error Detection
Vocabulary
Synonyms and Antonyms
Sentence Completion
Idioms and Phrases
One Word Substitution
Analogy
Cloze Test
Sentence Rearrangement

General Awareness

Questions may be asked from:

Indian History
Geography
Current Affairs
Indian Economy
Polity and Constitution
Sports
Defence Affairs
Science and Technology
Environment
Awards and Honours
National and International Events

Numerical Ability

Key topics include:

Percentage
Ratio and Proportion
Profit and Loss
Average
Time and Work
Time and Distance
Probability
Interest
Number System
HCF and LCM
Mensuration
Statistics
Mixture and Allegation

Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026, Reasoning and Military Aptitude

Candidates should prepare:

Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Logical Analysis
Pattern Recognition
Spatial Ability
Decision Making
Analytical Thinking

Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How many vacancies are available under AFCAT Recruitment 2026?

The Indian Air Force has announced 379 vacancies under AFCAT 02/2026 recruitment.

Q2. When did the online application process start?

The online application process started on 20 May 2026.

Q3. What is the last date to apply online?

The last date to submit the AFCAT online application form is 21 June 2026.

Q4. What is the AFCAT 2026 examination date?

The AFCAT online examination is scheduled for 08 August 2026.

Q5. When will the AFCAT admit card be released?

The admit card will be available for download from 04 August 2026 onwards.

Q6. Is there negative marking in AFCAT?

Yes. One mark is deducted for every incorrect answer, while three marks are awarded for every correct answer.

Q7. Do NCC Special Entry candidates need to pay the application fee?

No. Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry are exempted from paying the examination fee.

Q8. What is the course commencement date?

Selected candidates will begin training from July 2027.