✈️ AFCAT 01/2026 Air Force Common Admission Test | Flying Officer & Ground Duty | Indian Air Force

🚨 URGENT: AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment – Flying & Ground Duty Officer – Last Date: 14 December 2025

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AFCAT 01/2026

Air Force Common Admission Test | Flying Officer & Ground Duty | Indian Air Force

Organisation: Indian Air Force (IAF)
Entry: AFCAT & NCC Special Entry | Exam Date: 31 January 2026

⏰ Online Application Countdown

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📝 Online Applications Open Now – Apply Through AFCAT Portal

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Total Vacancies

250+

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Commission

Permanent (PC)

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Age Limit

20-24/26 Yrs

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Stipend/Pay

₹56,100/Month

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Qualification

Graduation

🌐 AFCAT Portal 📋 Apply Online ✅ Check Eligibility 📝 How to Apply

About AFCAT 01/2026

Prestigious opportunity to join Indian Air Force as commissioned officer in flying and ground duty branches.

Indian Air Force (IAF) invites Indian citizens (Men and Women) through the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) to be commissioned as Group 'A' Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches for training courses commencing in January 2027.

The AFCAT 01/2026 is one of the most prestigious recruitment processes of the Indian Armed Forces, offering exciting careers in aviation, technical expertise, and officer-level positions. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous training at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, and become part of India's most elite air defense force.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve the nation with Permanent Commission (PC) or Short Service Commission (SSC) appointments, depending on the branch selected. The examination will be conducted in online mode on 31 January 2026.

250+ Total Vacancies

3 Branches

62 Weeks Training

Elite Officer Status

Important Dates

Event	Date & Time	Remarks
Online Application Opens	17 November 2025 (11:00 Hrs)	Start submitting online applications
Last Date for Application	14 December 2025 (23:30 Hrs)	Final deadline for online submission
AFCAT Exam Date	31 January 2026 (Saturday)	Online examination (2 hours)
E-Admit Card Download	22 January 2026 (11:00 Hrs)	Download from AFCAT website
AFSB Interview	February 2026 onwards	Call letters issued separately
Training Commencement	First week January 2027	At Air Force Academy, Dundigal

Eligibility Criteria

Complete requirements for AFCAT entry into Flying and Ground Duty branches.

Nationality & Citizenship

• Must be Indian Citizen
• As per Indian Citizenship Act, 1955
• Gender Men & Women (Equal)

All branches open for both male and female candidates with equal opportunities.

Flying Branch Age

• Age Range 20-24 years
• As on 01 January 2027
• Commercial Pilot License Relaxable to 26 years

Born between 02 January 2003 to 01 January 2007. CPL holders: 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jan 2007.

Ground Duty Age

• Age Range 20-26 years
• As on 01 January 2027
• Technical & Non-Tech Same age limit

Born between 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive).

Marital Status

• At Entry MUST be Unmarried
• During Training Marriage NOT Permitted
• If Married Discharge & Refund Liability

Candidates must remain unmarried throughout training. Marriage during training results in discharge and liability to refund all government expenditure.

Flying Branch Education

• Math & Physics 50% in 10+2
• Graduation 3-year degree (60% marks)
• B.Tech/BE 4-year (60% marks)

Must have 50% in both Math and Physics at 10+2 level. Graduation with minimum 60% marks aggregate from recognized university.

Ground Duty (Technical)

• Math & Physics 50% in 10+2
• Options AE(L), AE(M)
• Stream Electronics/Mechanical Eng

Multiple engineering disciplines eligible (AE(L): Electronics, AE(M): Mechanical). Minimum 60% in graduation.

Ground Duty (Non-Tech)

• Weapon Systems Math & Physics 50%
• Admin/Logistics 10+2 + Graduate
• Accounts B.Com/CA/CMA/CS

Minimum 60% in graduation (any discipline). For Accounts: Finance specialization preferred. Meteorology: BSc Physics + Math.

Disqualifications

• Criminal Charges Ineligible
• CPSS/PABT Failed Flying - Ineligible
• NDA Removal For Indiscipline - Ineligible

Candidates convicted on criminal charges or those facing criminal proceedings are ineligible. Those removed from NDA/IMA/AFA for indiscipline cannot apply.

Vacancy Breakdown

Branch	Entry Type	Male (PC)	Female (PC)	Male (SSC)	Female (SSC)
Flying	AFCAT	-	-	34	04
Ground Duty (Technical)	AFCAT	112	06	138	32
Ground Duty (Non-Tech)	AFCAT	-	-	89	31
NCC Special Entry	Flying	-	-	10% of vacancies	-

Note: PC = Permanent Commission | SSC = Short Service Commission. Vacancies are tentative and subject to change based on service requirements.

AFCAT Examination Details

Exam Format & Pattern

• Exam Type: Online (Computer-Based)
• Date: 31 January 2026 (Saturday)
• Duration: 2 hours
• Total Questions: 100 Objective Type Questions
• Maximum Marks: 300 marks
• Negative Marking: -1 mark for wrong answer
• Correct Answer: +3 marks per correct answer
• Unattempted: 0 marks
• Language: English only
• Exam Centers: Major cities across India (70+ centers)

AFCAT Syllabus

• General Awareness (25%): Current affairs, national & international events, sports, personalities, history, geography, polity, economy, defence, science & technology
• Verbal Ability in English (25%): Comprehension, error detection, sentence completion, synonyms/antonyms, cloze test, idioms, analogies, sentence rearrangement, one-word substitution
• Numerical Ability (25%): Decimal fractions, time & work, averages, percentages, profit/loss, ratios, simple/compound interest, time & distance, area/perimeter, probability, number series, mixture & allegation, squares/cubes, HCF/LCM, statistics
• Reasoning & Military Aptitude (25%): Verbal and non-verbal reasoning, spatial abilities, pattern recognition, officer-like qualities assessment

Application Fee

Fee Details

• AFCAT Entry Examination Fee: ₹550 + 18% GST = ₹649/-
• Payment Mode: Online only (Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, UPI)
• Fee Refund: Non-refundable under any circumstances
• Multiple Applications: If multiple applications submitted, fee on all but latest will not be refunded
• NCC Special Entry: NO FEE APPLICABLE
• Payment Gateway: Secure online gateway (Details on AFCAT portal)

How to Apply

Complete step-by-step online application process through AFCAT website.

Online Application Steps

Step 1: Visit AFCAT Portal

1. Go to https://afcat.edcil.co.in/ (Official AFCAT website)
2. Click on "AFCAT 01/2026" recruitment link
3. Read all instructions and eligibility criteria carefully
4. Keep Aadhaar Card number ready (Last 4 digits mandatory)

Step 2: Register & Create Account

1. Click on "Sign Up/Registration" button
2. Enter Full Name (as per 10th class certificate)
3. Enter valid Mobile Number (10 digits)
4. Enter valid Email ID (will receive all communications)
5. Click "Generate OTP"
6. Verify OTP received on Email and Mobile separately
7. Accept Terms & Conditions and submit
8. Receive User-ID and Password on Email and SMS

Step 3: Fill Application Form

1. Login using generated User-ID and Password
2. Fill Personal Details: Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name, Date of Birth
3. Fill Educational Details: 10th class percentage, Physics & Math marks (separately)
4. Fill Graduation/Post-Graduation Details: Marks, aggregate percentage, stream
5. Select Entry Type: AFCAT or NCC Special Entry
6. Select preferred Branches: Flying / Ground Duty (Tech) / Ground Duty (Non-Tech)
7. Provide Military Aptitude and CPSS/PABT status (if applicable)
8. Choose Test Center preferences (5 options: 1st to 5th preference)

Step 4: Upload Documents & Photographs

1. Passport Size Photograph: 100-200 KB, JPG/JPEG (recent, color, light background, looking straight at camera)
2. Signature: 80-150 KB, JPG/JPEG (signed on white paper with black ink pen, scanned area only)
3. Thumb Impression: 50-100 KB, JPG/JPEG (Male: Left thumb, Female: Right thumb, on ink pad & plain paper)
4. File Naming: Passport_Photograph.jpg / Signature.jpg / Thumb_Impression.jpg
5. Upload all images (Live image capture also available via device camera)

Step 5: Review & Submit Application

1. Click "Preview" to verify all details entered
2. Check personal information, educational qualifications, branch preferences
3. Verify photograph, signature, and thumb impression quality
4. Confirm Date of Birth matches 10th certificate exactly
5. Once satisfied, click "Submit" (CANNOT be edited after submission)
6. Application automatically forwarded to payment gateway

Step 6: Payment & Confirmation

1. Pay application fee: ₹550 + GST = ₹649
2. Choose payment mode: Credit Card / Debit Card / Net Banking / UPI
3. Complete secure online transaction
4. On successful payment, receive confirmation SMS and Email
5. Print "Application Receipt" with Application Number for records
6. Check "Payment Status" on portal after 24 hours

Step 7: Download Admit Card

1. From 22 January 2026, login to AFCAT portal
2. Click "Download Admit Card" button
3. Download PDF and print from good quality printer
4. Verify all details on Admit Card
5. Read instructions on rear side of Admit Card carefully
6. Carry printout to exam center (No entry without Admit Card)

⚠️ Critical Instructions:
• Last Date: 14 December 2025, 23:30 Hrs (Strict deadline - no extensions)
• One Application Only: Multiple applications will result in rejection of all applications
• Aadhaar Mandatory: Aadhaar Card number (last 4 digits) required for online registration
• Valid Email & Mobile: Must remain valid throughout recruitment process for communications
• Date of Birth: Must match 10th class certificate exactly - ANY variation leads to disqualification
• NO Edits After Submission: All details must be correct before clicking "Submit" button
• Photographs: Same photograph must be used throughout recruitment process (from registration to joining)
• Documents Online: NO hard copies to be sent by post - only online upload required at this stage
• False Information: Any incorrect/false information will lead to candidature cancellation and legal action
• Apply Early: Avoid last-minute rush - portal may experience high traffic on final day

Selection Process

Two-Stage Selection Procedure

• Stage 1 - AFCAT Written Examination (31 Jan 2026): 100 questions, 2 hours, 300 marks. Objective type (Online). General Awareness, English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning. Minimum qualifying marks required to clear cutoff.
• Stage 2 - AFSB Interview & Testing: Qualified candidates called for Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing. AFSB centers: Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, Guwahati. Three-day testing including Officer Intelligence Rating Test, Picture Perception & Discussion, Psychology Test, Group Tests, Personal Interview. For Flying Branch: Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS/PABT) administered. NCC Special Entry candidates exempted from written exam - directly called for AFSB.
• Merit List Preparation: Final merit list based on combined performance in written exam (60% weightage) + AFSB test (40% weightage). Separate merit lists prepared for each branch.
• Medical Examination: Final selected candidates undergo complete medical fitness examination at IAF designated medical centers to ensure fitness for commissioned service.

Important Links & Resources

🌐 AFCAT Portal 📋 Apply Now ✈️ IAF Careers 📞 Helpdesk

AFCAT Helpdesk & Contact Details

AFCAT Query Cell
Phone: +91-9513252077
Email: afcathelpdesk@edcil.co.in

Air Headquarters (Eligibility Queries)
Phone: 011-23010231 Extn: 7245 (Eligibility)
Phone: 011-23010231 Extn: 7610 (AFSB Allotment & Merit)
Toll-free: 1800-11-2448

Helpdesk Timings:
09:30 AM to 01:00 PM | 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM (Monday to Saturday, except closed holidays)
Website: https://afcat.edcil.co.in or https://careerairforce.gov.in

Last Date for Online Application: 14 December 2025 at 23:30 Hrs
AFCAT Exam: 31 January 2026

General Instructions & Important Notes

• Eligibility Responsibility: Candidates must ensure they meet ALL eligibility criteria before applying. Admission at all stages is provisional pending verification of eligibility conditions.
• Incorrect Information = Cancellation: If any information found to be incorrect/false at any stage before or after selection, candidature will be cancelled without notice.
• Date of Birth Verification: Only date of birth as recorded in Matriculation/Higher Secondary certificate will be accepted. No other documents (horoscopes, affidavits, birth extracts, service records) accepted.
• CGPA Conversion: If CGPA awarded instead of marks, conversion formula certified by university must be provided. If university has no conversion formula, minimum 6/10 CGPA considered as 60%.
• NCC Special Entry Requirement: Candidates applying through NCC must have NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' certificate acquired within 2 years preceding AFCAT registration date.
• Commercial Pilot License: Candidates holding valid CPL from DGCA (India) eligible for upper age limit relaxation up to 26 years (Flying Branch only).
• NOC for Government Employees: Serving government employees (including armed forces, PSUs) must obtain No Objection Certificate (NOC) from employer. Mandatory at AFSB testing stage.
• Permanent Commission Tenure: PC officers continue service till superannuation as per their rank. SSC engagement period: Flying Branch - 14 years; Ground Duty - 10 years (extendable by 4 years).
• Training Duration: Flying & Ground Duty (Tech) - 62 weeks | Ground Duty (Non-Tech) - 50 weeks at Air Force Academy, Dundigal.
• Statutory Warning: Any attempt to influence selection process, use of unfair means, forgery, impersonation, or false information will result in candidature termination and legal action.