Indian Air Force has released the latest AFCAT 02/2026 notification for recruitment of Men and Women as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non‑Technical) branches for courses commencing in July 2027. Online applications Extended from 20 May 2026 (1100 hrs) to 21 June 2026 (2330 hrs) through the official AFCAT website https://afcat.edcil.co.in, and the online AFCAT exam will be conducted on 08 August 2026 (Saturday). Interested and eligible candidates must ensure that they fulfill all eligibility conditions before applying.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Notification PDF
Indian Air Force has published the detailed notification titled “AIR FORCE COMMON ADMISSION TEST (AFCAT‑02/2026) FOR FLYING BRANCH AND GROUND DUTY (TECHNICAL AND NON‑TECHNICAL) BRANCHES / NCC SPECIAL ENTRY / GATE SCORE ENTRY FOR COURSES COMMENCING IN JULY 2027”. The notification includes complete information on branches, course numbers, vacancies, eligibility, age limits, educational qualifications, selection process, exam pattern, medical standards, training, and how to apply. Candidates must read the full notification carefully before submitting the online application form.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Overview
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Important Dates
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 – Entry, Branch & Vacancies
AFCAT 02/2026 notification gives branch‑wise and entry‑wise vacancies, which are tentative and subject to change as per organisational requirements. Two seats in Ground Duty (Non‑Technical) are reserved for Law‑qualified candidates.
*Vacancies are indicative and may change without notice depending on training slots and organisational requirements.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must ensure that they satisfy all eligibility conditions of nationality, age, marital status, educational qualification and medical standards as on the prescribed dates. Their admission at all stages is purely provisional and will be cancelled if any ineligibility is detected at any stage.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 – Type of Commission
Type of commission offered varies by branch and gender.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 – Application Fee
A non‑refundable examination fee is applicable for AFCAT entry; there is no fee for NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 – Selection Process
The selection process comprises an online AFCAT exam, followed by Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing, medical examination and final merit list.
Stage 1 – AFCAT Online Examination
Each correct answer carries 3 marks, each wrong answer attracts a penalty of 1 mark, and no marks are awarded for unattempted questions. The paper is in English only, and normalisation of marks is applied when multiple shifts are conducted.
Stage 2 – Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing
- Stage‑I: Officer Intelligence Rating Test and Picture Perception & Discussion Test on Day 1; this is a screening stage.
- Stage‑II: Psychological tests, Group Tests and Personal Interview over the next days for Stage‑I qualified candidates.
- CPSS: Computerised Pilot Selection System for Flying Branch candidates (once‑in‑a‑lifetime test; CPSS/PABT failures are ineligible for Flying Branch).
Stage 3 – Medical Examination & Final Merit
Candidates recommended by AFSB and found medically fit by the appropriate medical board are considered for training strictly in order of merit and branch‑wise vacancies. The final merit list is based on combined marks of AFCAT (where applicable) and AFSB.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 – Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The AFCAT paper is of graduation‑level standard (except Numerical Ability, which is matriculation level) and tests a mix of aptitude and knowledge.
- English: Comprehension, error detection, sentence completion, synonyms/antonyms, cloze test, idioms & phrases, analogy, sentence rearrangement, one‑word substitution, homonyms.
- General Awareness: History, Geography, Sports, National & International Organisations, Art & Culture, Personalities, Environment & Ecology, Polity, Economy, Basic Science, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, Defence.
- Numerical Ability: Fractions, Time & Work, Average, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Interest, Time & Distance, Area & Perimeter, Probability, Number System, Mixture & Allegation, Squares/Cubes, HCF & LCM, Mensuration, Heights & Distances, Statistics.
- Reasoning & Military Aptitude: Verbal and Non‑Verbal Reasoning.
An online practice test is available on the IAF AFCAT website.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 – Training, Pay & Allowances
Candidates recommended by AFSBs and found medically fit are detailed for training at Air Force Training Establishments based on merit and branch.
- Training Date & Duration: Training is scheduled to commence in the first week of July 2027; duration is approximately 62 weeks for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) branches and 50 weeks for Ground Duty (Non‑Technical).
- Stipend during Training: Flight Cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month during one year of training (as per 7th CPC matrix).
- Pay on Commissioning: Flying Officer – Pay Level 10 (Rs. 56,100-1,77,500) plus applicable MSP and allowances as per branch and posting.
- Insurance: Officers are covered under Air Force Group Insurance Society (AFGIS), with Rs. 1.25 crore cover (on contribution) for death in service and Air Veterans Insurance Cover after retirement for eligible PC/SSC officers.
How to Apply for Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026
Applications must be submitted online only through the AFCAT website; no other mode is accepted. Aadhaar Card is mandatory for online registration, and candidates should use valid email ID and mobile number, which must remain active throughout the selection process.
Step‑by‑Step Process (AFCAT Entry):
- Visit the official AFCAT website https://afcat.edcil.co.in and read the advertisement and instructions carefully.
- Click on the sign‑up/registration link and enter full name, mobile number and email ID, then verify via OTP on email and mobile.
- Agree to the declaration, submit the registration form and obtain the system‑generated User ID and Password sent to registered email and mobile.
- Login with User ID and Password, click on “Go to Application”, and fill personal details, communication details, qualification details, course preferences and other required fields.
- Upload scanned images of recent passport size colour photograph (100-200 KB), signature (80-150 KB), thumb impression (50-100 KB) and live image capture as per specified formats.
- Carefully verify all details using “Preview” and then proceed to pay the examination fee of Rs. 550/- + GST (for AFCAT entry only) through online payment gateway (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, UPI etc.).
- After successful payment and submission, download and print the final submitted application form for future reference.
Applicants should apply well before the last date to avoid last‑minute issues; once submitted, the application cannot be edited, and additional applications against the same Aadhaar will result in only the latest being considered.
Documents to Upload / Produce – AFCAT 02/2026
Scanned Documents to Upload (during Application):
- Recent passport size colour photograph (100-200 KB; JPG/JPEG).
- Signature in black ink on white paper (80-150 KB; JPG/JPEG).
- Thumb impression – Left thumb (male) / Right thumb (female) (50-100 KB; JPG/JPEG/PDF).
- Live image capture via device camera at the time of application.
Documents to Carry for AFCAT Exam & AFSB:
- Printout of e‑Admit Card (AFCAT 02/2026).
- Original Aadhaar Card and a second photo ID (PAN/Passport/Driving Licence/Voter ID etc.).
- Two passport size colour photographs (same as uploaded).
- Original and photocopies of Matriculation and 10+2 certificates and mark sheets.
- Original/provisional Graduation/PG degree and mark sheets (for AFSB).
- Certificate from College Principal for final year candidates specifying aggregate percentage and likely result date.
- Original NCC ‘C’ Certificate (for NCC Special Entry) and GATE documents (for GATE Score Entry).
- NOC from employer for Govt/PSU/Armed Forces personnel, if applicable.
Important Instructions for AFCAT 02/2026 Candidates
- Candidates must ensure eligibility for the branch(es) they apply for; incorrect information at any stage leads to cancellation of candidature.
- Use of unfair means or possession of prohibited items (mobile phones, smart watches, electronic devices, study material etc.) inside the exam hall will result in cancellation and debarment from future AFCATs.
- No request for change of exam centre/date/slot will be entertained; centres may be changed by IAF based on administrative reasons.
- Serving airmen must apply online like other candidates and also follow service procedures as per AFO 11/2015.
- Use/possession of narcotics is strictly banned; candidates may be tested for drugs during medicals and training, and those found positive are liable for termination.
- Permanent tattoos are permitted only on the inner forearms and back of hands (with conditions); non‑permissible tattoos or those with offensive/extremist content lead to rejection.
- Training is rigorous; candidates should maintain good physical fitness (running, push‑ups, rope climbing, swimming etc.) before reporting to Air Force Academy.