AFCAT 1 2026 registration is live via the official website of Indian Air Force on 17 November 2025. This highly coveted exam provides a golden chance to candidates to become part of the Indian Air Force as Commissioned Officers in Flying. It also includes Ground Duty (Technical) and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. The application process is now open, and interested candidates can apply on or before the closing date.
What is AFCAT Exam?
IAF conducts AFCAT every year. It selects eligible candidates for various roles in the flying, technical, and non-technical branches of the Indian Air Force. Every year, thousands of aspirants seeking to join Indian Air Force appear for it. The exam is conducted twice a year on National Level. Indian Air Force Conducts AFCAT exam to recruit its Flying and Ground Duty officers in Technical and Non-Technical branches. In this article, we will delve into the various aspects of AFCAT, providing valuable insights for prospective candidates.
Commissions in AFCAT Exam
- Permanent Commission
- Short Service Commission
- Flying Branch (Short Service Commission)
- Technical Branch (Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission)
- Ground Duty Branch (Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission)
Short Service Commission vs. Permanent Commission
In permanent commission, the officers will continue their service till the age of superannuation i.e retirement. On the other hand, Short Service Commission means a limited period career.
Exam Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test or AFCAT |
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force |
| Exam Stages | Online test and AFSB interview |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
| Contact Details | 020-25503105 or 020-25503106 |
Important Dates of AFCAT 2026
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 | 17 November, 2025 |
| Apply Online Begins | 17 November, 2025, at 11:00 am |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 14 December 2025, up to 11:30 pm |
| AFCAT 2 Exam Date 2026 | 31 January 2026 |
AFCAT Vacancy 2026
IAF has announced 340 vacancies for the year 2026 in Flying and Ground Duty branches:
| Entry | Branch | Course Name | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) |
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 221/27F/SSC/M&W | 34 | 04 | ||
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 220/27T/PC/ 110AEC/M&W 220/27T/SSC/ 110AEC/M&W | AE(L)- 03 AE(M)- 09 | AE(L)- 03 AE(M)- 03 | AE(L)- 100 AE(M)- 38 | AE(L)- 23 AE(M)- 09 | |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 220/27G/SSC/M&W | — | — | Weapon Systems (WS) Branch:21 Admin:48 Lgs:09 Accts :08 Edn :02 Met :01 | Weapon Systems (WS) Branch:05 Admin :12 Lgs :02 Accts :02 Edn :02 Met :02 | |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 221/27F/PC/M and 221/27F/SSC/M&W | — | — | 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC | |
AFCAT Branches: Roles, Commissions
| Branches | Roles | Commission |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | Fighter Pilot, Helicopter Pilot, Transport Pilot | Short Service Commission (SSC) |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch | Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical), Aeronautical Engineer Electronics) | SSC |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch | Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology | SSC |
Eligibility Criteria
IAF also releases the detailed AFCAT Eligibility criteria along with the detailed notification. The candidates who fulfill the following eligibility can apply for AFCAT 2026. AFCAT Eligibility includes educational qualifications, age limit & physical standards.
Educational Qualifications
The candidate must be a graduate before applying for AFCAT exam.
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Graduation degree with at least 60% marks.
- Flying Branch: Minimum 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level. Additionally, a graduation degree is also required with at least 60% marks.
- Ground Duty (Technical): Achieve a minimum of 50% marks in Physics and Maths at the 10+2 level. The candidates are also required to obtain a four-year graduation degree in Engineering or Technology with at least 60% marks.
Physical Standards
The candidates must meet the physical standards as per specific branch they are targeting for. The minimum height, weight & length requirements to clear AFCAT Physical exam are as follows:
Nationality
- Candidate should be an Indian citizen according to the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
Age Limit (as on 01 July 2026)
| Branch | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 years (with a 2-year relaxation for Commercial Pilot License holders). |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch | 20 to 26 years |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch | 20 to 26 years |
Selection Process
- AFCAT Written Exam
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview
- Medical Exam
For those applying for Ground Duty (Technical), the EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) is held. It runs in parallel with the AFCAT exam.
AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | No. of Questions Asked | Maximum Marks | Exam Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 120 Minutes |
| Verbal Ability in English | 25 | 75 | |
| Numerical Ability | 25 | 75 | |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | 25 | 75 | |
| Total | 100 | 300 | 120 minutes |
| EKT (Technical Candidates Only) | 50 | 150 | 45 minutes |
- Duration: 2 hours
- Negative Marking: 1 mark for every incorrect answer
How to Apply for AFCAT Exam?
Applicants need to apply online from the official AFCAT website:
- Visit the official website of IAF.
- Click on Apply Online for AFCAT 2026 link listed on home page.
- Register yourself for AFCAT 2026 if you are a first time user or login via your candidate credentials.
- Fill AFCAT Application Form, upload relevant documents & pay applicable application fee.
- Submit your application form once done.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| All Candidates | Rs. 550/- + GST |
| Mode of Payment | Online |
Aspirant Tips
- Start early preparation for the written AFCAT exam with mock tests and last year’s question papers.
- Concentrate on physical fitness for SSB preparation.
- Have all documents in hand, such as educational certificates and photo ID.
AFCAT 2026 Salary
| Post | Salary |
|---|---|
| Pay Band | INR 56,100/- per month (Level 10 – Pay Matrix) |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | INR 15,000/- per month |
| CPC | INR 56,000/- INR 1,77,500/- |
AFCAT Marking Scheme
The candidates are awarded with +3 marks for every correct answer marked. On the other hand, there is a negative marking of one mark for every incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for un-attempted questions.
AFCAT Cut-Off Trends
AFCAT cut-off marks are released along with the Result on the official website. The Cut Off Marks trends for the previous year’s have been listed below.
| Previous years | AFCAT-1 Cut Off | AFCAT 2 Cut-Off |
| AFCAT 2024 | 137 | 139 |
| AFCAT 2023 | 155 | 151 |
| AFCAT 2022 | 157 | 157 |
| AFCAT 2021 | 165 | 157 |
| AFCAT 2020 | 153 | 155 |
The AFCAT 2026 isn’t just an exam. It’s a gateway to one of the most respected jobs in the Indian defense forces. If you want to fly high in the air, now is the time to take that leap. Also, if you wish to serve the nation in a technical role, now is the time to act. If you aim for an administrative role, seize the opportunity now. Send in your applications soon and start working towards serving the country with honor.
AFCAT Exam FAQs
Ques: What are the maximum number of attempts to appear for AFCAT exam?
Ans: There is no limit on maximum number of attempts to appear for AFCAT exam. A candidate can appear for AFCAT exam until they complete the prescribed eligibility criteria for the exam.
Ques: What is AFCAT Salary?
Ans: The recruited candidates receive their salary as per 7th Pay Commission. The Flying branch officers recruited through the AFCAT exam will receive ₹85,372, Ground Duty (Technical) officers get ₹74,872, and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) officers get ₹71,872 per month
Ques: Is EKT compulsory for AFCAT exam?
Ans: Yes, EKT, or Engineering Knowledge Test, is mandatory for the candidates planning to join technical posts.
Ques: If married candidates can appear for AFCAT exam?
Ans: No, married candidates are not eligible to appear for AFCAT exam. The candidates must remain unmarried at the beginning of the course. The candidates cannot marry while they are on their training.
Ques: What is the training period once we clear AFCAT exam?
Ans: The AFCAT training duration is 74 weeks for the flying as well as technical branches. On the other hand, the candidates applying for non-tech branches have to undergo a training of 52 weeks.
Ques: Do AFCAT officers get pension?
Ans: Yes, Air Force officers employed through the AFCAT exam are Government officials.
Ques: What is Air Force Selection Boards Interview?
Ans: IAF will prepare a list of candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam. These candidates will be called to one of the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) for further process.
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