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The Indian Air Force has released the AFCAT 01/2026 Notification for recruitment of Commissioned Officers in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches, including NCC Special Entry. Online applications will be accepted from 17 November 2025 to 14 December 2025 via the official AFCAT portal. The AFCAT Exam will be conducted on 31 January 2026. This recruitment offers opportunities for both men and women to join as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers, with courses commencing in January 2027. Candidates must check eligibility, age limit, qualification, and vacancy details before applying.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment Overview
ProJobAlert.com |
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| Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment Advertisement No.:- AFCAT 01/2026 | |
| Recruitment Authority | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Post Name | Commissioned Officers – Flying & Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) |
| Total Vacancies | 340+ (Tentative, subject to change) |
| Job Location | All India |
| Start Date to Apply | 17 November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 December 2025 |
| Qualification | Graduation / BE / B.Tech with minimum 60% marks (branch-wise eligibility) |
| Age Limit | 20 – 24 years (Flying Branch), 20 – 26 years (Ground Duty) |
| Selection Process | Written Exam (AFCAT), SSB Interview, Medical Test |
| Salary | Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500 (Level 10 Pay Matrix) + allowances |
| Application Fees |
Rs. 550/- + 18% GST (for AFCAT entry) No fee for NCC Special Entry |
| Application Mode | Online via AFCAT website (afcat.cdac.in / afcat.edcil.co.in) |
| Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Official Website | AFCAT Official Website |
| 👉 Apply Online Now | |
Important Date
- Notification Released: 17 November 2025
- Application Start: 17 November 2025 (11:00 AM)
- Last Date : 14 December 2025 (11:30 PM)
- Correction Date: Not Applicable
- Exam Date: 31 January 2026 (Saturday)
- Admit Card: January 2026 (Tentative)
- Course Commencement: January 2027
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 24 Years (Flying Branch), 26 Years (Ground Duty)
- Age Relaxation:
- Flying Branch: Up to 26 Years for candidates holding valid Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India).
- Note: Kindly Read Full Official Notification Before Apply.
Application Fees
- Category: Rs. 550/- + 18% GST (Non-Refundable)
- NCC Special Entry: No Fee
Qualification
- Flying Branch: Graduation (any discipline) with 60% marks OR BE/B.Tech with 60% marks. Must have 50% marks each in Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level.
- Ground Duty (Technical): BE/B.Tech in relevant Engineering disciplines with 60% marks. Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level mandatory.
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Graduation/Post Graduation in relevant streams (Administration, Accounts, Education, Meteorology) with minimum 60% marks.
- NCC Special Entry: NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate holders.
Full Eligibility
The AFCAT 01/2026 recruitment offers opportunities in Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical). Candidates must have minimum 50% marks in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and graduation with 60% marks. Engineering graduates in specified disciplines are eligible for Technical branches, while graduates/postgraduates in Commerce, Education, and Science streams can apply for Non-Technical branches. Age limit is 20–24 years for Flying Branch and 20–26 years for Ground Duty. NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders can apply under Special Entry. Final year students may also apply, provided they meet eligibility by 30 November 2026.
| Branch | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | Graduation with 60% OR BE/B.Tech with 60% + 10+2 Physics & Maths (50% each) |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | BE/B.Tech in relevant Engineering disciplines with 60% + 10+2 Physics & Maths (50% each) |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Graduation/Post Graduation in relevant streams (Admin, Accounts, Education, Meteorology) with 60% |
| NCC Special Entry | NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate holders |
Salary
The Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2026 offers an attractive pay scale for Commissioned Officers. Selected candidates will be placed in the Level 10 Pay Matrix with a salary ranging from Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500. In addition, officers are entitled to Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs. 15,500 per month along with allowances such as Flying Allowance, Technical Allowance, Dearness Allowance, Transport Allowance, and House Rent Allowance. The gross monthly emoluments for a Flying Officer can exceed Rs. 85,000 depending on posting and allowances. Officers also receive benefits like medical facilities, insurance cover, leave travel concessions, and pensionary benefits (for Permanent Commission). This makes AFCAT one of the most rewarding career opportunities in the defence sector.
| Rank | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Flying Officer | Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500 (Level 10) |
| Military Service Pay | Rs. 15,500 per month |
| Flying Allowance | Rs. 11,250 per month |
| Other Allowances | DA, HRA, Transport, Technical Allowance |
- Basic Pay: Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500
- MSP: Rs. 15,500 per month
- Flying Allowance: Rs. 11,250 per month
- Additional Benefits: Insurance, Medical, LTC, Pension (PC only)
Selection Process
The AFCAT 01/2026 Selection Process is designed to assess candidates’ academic knowledge, aptitude, personality, and medical fitness. It includes a Written Examination conducted online, followed by Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview for shortlisted candidates. The AFSB process involves Stage I (Officer Intelligence Rating & Picture Perception Test) and Stage II (Psychological Tests, Group Tests, and Interview). Candidates recommended by AFSB undergo a Medical Examination at designated centres. Final merit is prepared based on performance in the written exam, AFSB, and medical fitness, subject to vacancies in each branch.
- Step 1: Written Exam (AFCAT Online Test)
- Step 2: AFSB Interview (Stage I & Stage II)
- Step 3: Psychological Tests & Group Discussion
- Step 4: Personal Interview
- Step 5: Medical Examination
- Step 6: Final Merit List & Branch Allocation
Exam Pattern
The AFCAT 01/2026 Exam Pattern consists of an online computer-based test with 100 questions300 marks
2 hoursGeneral Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test. Each correct answer carries 3 marks, while 1 mark is deducted for every wrong answer. Candidates applying for Ground Duty Technical Branch must also appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT), which is of 45 minutes duration and carries 50 questions (150 marks). This structure ensures a balanced evaluation of knowledge, aptitude, and technical skills.| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 2 Hours (Overall) |
| Verbal Ability (English) | 25 | 75 | |
| Numerical Ability | 18 | 54 | |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | 32 | 96 | |
| Total | 100 | 300 | 2 Hours |
| EKT (Technical Candidates) | 50 | 150 | 45 Minutes |
- Mode of Exam: Online Computer-Based Test
- Negative Marking: -1 mark for each wrong answer
- Language: English
- Additional Test: EKT mandatory for Technical Branch applicants
- Exam Date: 31 January 2026
Post / Category Wise Vacancy
The AFCAT 01/2026 Notification announces vacancies for Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) posts. Vacancies are available for both Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) for men and women. Additionally, NCC Special Entry is offered for Flying Branch candidates. The number of seats is tentative and subject to change based on service requirements. Candidates must carefully check branch‑wise distribution before applying online.
| Entry | Branch | Course Number | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 221/27F/SSC/M&W | -- | -- | 34 | 04 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | 220/27T/PC/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 | -- | -- | WS:21, Admin:48, Lgs:09, Accts:08, Edn:02, Met:01 | WS:05, Admin:12, Lgs:02, Accts:02, Edn:02, Met:02 | |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 221/27F/PC/M & SSC/M&W | -- | -- | 10% seats of PC & SSC | CDSE vacancies out of AFCAT |
How To Apply
Candidates must apply online for AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment through the official AFCAT website. The application process begins on 17 November 2025 and ends on 14 December 2025. Applicants should carefully read the notification, ensure eligibility, and keep documents ready before filling the form. Aadhaar card is mandatory for registration. The process includes sign-up, form filling, document upload, and fee payment. Once submitted, applications cannot be withdrawn or edited. Candidates are advised to verify all details before final submission.
- Step 1: Visit the official AFCAT website – afcat.cdac.in.
- Step 2: Click on AFCAT 01/2026 Apply Online link.
- Step 3: Complete Sign-Up/Registration by entering Name, Mobile Number, Email ID, and Aadhaar details.
- Step 4: Verify OTP received on mobile and email, then generate User ID & Password.
- Step 5: Login using credentials and fill Personal, Communication, Qualification & Course Preference details.
- Step 6: Upload scanned Photograph (100–200 KB), Signature (80–150 KB), and Thumb Impression (50–100 KB) in JPG/JPEG format.
- Step 7: Pay the Application Fee of Rs. 550/- + 18% GST (NCC Special Entry exempted) via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI.
- Step 8: Preview the application form, check all details carefully, and click Submit.
- Step 9: Take a printout of the submitted application form for future reference.
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Latest Govt Jobs 2025 | Click Here |
| All India Govt Jobs | Click Here |
| Defence and Security Jobs | Click Here |
| Home Page | Click Here |
FAQs
Q. What is the AFCAT 01/2026 exam date?
The AFCAT 01/2026 exam will be conducted on 31 January 2026.
Q. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 01/2026?
The last date to submit online applications is 14 December 2025.
Q. What is the application fee for AFCAT 01/2026?
The application fee is Rs. 550/- + 18% GST. NCC Special Entry candidates are exempted.
Q. What is the age limit for AFCAT 01/2026?
The age limit is 20–24 years for Flying Branch and 20–26 years for Ground Duty.
Q. How can I apply for AFCAT 01/2026?
Candidates can apply online through the official AFCAT website afcat.cdac.in.