Indian Air Force has released the official notification for recruitment of Officers through Air Force Common Admission Test AFCAT 01/2026. A total of 340 vacancies are available under Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical and Ground Duty Non-Technical branches.
Eligible candidates can apply online for AFCAT 01/2026 as per the extended schedule. Details related to eligibility, age limit, vacancies, salary, selection process and application procedure are given below. Candidates are advised to read all details carefully before applying.
Overview of IAF AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Air Force |
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 01/2026) |
| Post Name | Officers |
| Total Vacancies | 340 |
| Job Type | Defence |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Written Exam and AFSB |
| Training Location | Air Force Academy |
| Commission Type | PC and SSC |
All important information related to this recruitment is provided below for easy reference.
Important Dates
Below is the table for the important dates.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Start Date for Apply Online | 17 November 2025 |
| Last Date for Apply Online | 19 December 2025 |
| Online AFCAT Exam Date | 31 January 2026 |
Vacancy Details of IAF AFCAT 01/2026
The branch-wise vacancy distribution is given below.
| Entry | Branch | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | Men SSC – 34, Women SSC – 04 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty Technical | AE(L) – 132, AE(M) – 59 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty Non-Technical | Admin – 60, Lgs – 11, Accts – 10, Edn – 06, Met – 03, Weapon Systems – 26 |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 10% seats of CDSE and AFCAT vacancies |
Eligibility Criteria of IAF AFCAT Vacancies
Since multiple branches are involved, eligibility is explained branch-wise below.
Flying Branch
- Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level
OR - BE/B.Tech degree
Ground Duty Technical Branch
- BE/B.Tech degree in specified engineering disciplines
Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch
- Graduation or Post Graduation in relevant disciplines such as Administration, Accounts, Logistics or Education
Age Limit
Age limit is calculated as on 01 January 2027.
- Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years
- Flying Branch with CPL: Up to 26 years
- Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years
Salary Details
The pay and allowances for selected candidates are as follows.
- Flying Officer Pay Level: Level 10
- Pay Scale: Rs. 56,100 to 1,77,500
- Military Service Pay: Rs. 15,500
- Training Stipend: Rs. 56,100 per month
Additional allowances are applicable based on branch and place of posting.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Rs. 550 plus GST |
| NCC Special Entry | Nil |
Selection Process
The selection process includes the following stages.
Stage I:
- Officer Intelligence Rating Test
- Picture Perception and Discussion Test
Stage II:
- Psychological Tests
- Group Tests
- Interview
For Flying Branch:
- Computerised Pilot Selection System test for recommended candidates
Final selection will be based on written exam marks, AFSB performance, medical fitness and merit position.
How to Apply
Candidates must apply online for AFCAT 01/2026 using the official AFCAT application portal. Aadhaar Card is mandatory for registration.
Applicants should carefully fill all details before submission, as no correction is allowed after final submission or payment. Only the latest application submitted using a particular Aadhaar number will be considered.
Candidates are advised to read the detailed advertisement and instructions available on the AFCAT portal before applying.
IAF AFCAT Official Notification & Apply Details
Apply Online Portal: afcat.edcil.co.in
Official Notification: DOWNLOAD PDF