The Indian Air Force has officially released the AFCAT 02/2026 Notification for recruitment to Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branches for courses commencing in July 2027. Candidates aspiring to join the Indian Air Force as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers can now apply online through the AFCAT portal. The notification brings a golden opportunity for both male and female candidates across India to serve the nation in one of the most prestigious defence forces.
As per the official notification, the online application process begins on 20 May 2026 and will continue till 19 June 2026. The AFCAT examination is scheduled to be conducted on 08 August 2026.
The recruitment drive includes vacancies for Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical Branch, Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch, NCC Special Entry, and GATE Score Entry. Interested candidates are advised to check eligibility criteria, age limit, educational qualification, vacancy details, salary structure, selection process, and exam pattern before applying.
AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Indian Air Force |
| Exam Name | AFCAT 02/2026 |
| Post Type | Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers |
| Branches | Flying & Ground Duty Branches |
| Total Vacancies | 379 Posts |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Online Registration Starts | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 19 June 2026 |
| AFCAT Exam Date | 08 August 2026 |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
| Official Website | AFCAT Portal |
AFCAT 02/2026 Vacancy Details
The Indian Air Force has announced a total of 379 vacancies under different branches and entries.
Flying Branch Vacancies
| Entry | Men SSC | Women SSC |
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | 30 | 5 |
Ground Duty (Technical) Vacancies
Aeronautical Engineer Electronics [AE(L)]
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Men PC | 2 |
| Women PC | 2 |
| Men SSC | 107 |
| Women SSC | 25 |
Aeronautical Engineer Mechanical [AE(M)]
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Men PC | 8 |
| Women PC | 2 |
| Men SSC | 52 |
| Women SSC | 13 |
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Vacancies
| Branch | Men SSC | Women SSC |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon Systems | 21 | 5 |
| Administration | 50 | 12 |
| Logistics | 4 | 2 |
| Accounts | 5 | 2 |
| Education | 1 | 2 |
| Meteorology | 1 | 2 |
GATE Score Entry Vacancies
AE(L)
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Men PC | 1 |
| Women PC | 1 |
| Men SSC | 12 |
| Women SSC | 3 |
AE(M)
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Men PC | 1 |
| Women PC | 1 |
| Men SSC | 6 |
| Women SSC | 1 |
The notification clearly mentions that the vacancies are tentative and may change depending on organizational requirements.
AFCAT 02/2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | May 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 19 June 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 04 August 2026 |
| AFCAT Exam Date | 08 August 2026 |
| Result Declaration | To Be Announced |
| Course Begins | July 2027 |
AFCAT 02/2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must carefully check eligibility before applying.
Nationality
Applicants must be Indian citizens as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
AFCAT 02/2026 Age Limit
Flying Branch
Candidates should be between 20 to 24 years as on 01 July 2027.
- Born between 02 July 2003 to 01 July 2007
- CPL holders get relaxation up to 26 years
Ground Duty Branches
Candidates should be between 20 to 26 years as on 01 July 2027.
- Born between 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007
Marital Status
Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of training. Marriage during training is not permitted.
Educational Qualification
Flying Branch
Candidates must have passed Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and possess one of the following qualifications:
- Graduation with minimum 3 years degree
- BE/B.Tech degree
- AMIE/ASI qualification
Ground Duty Technical Branch
Candidates should possess Engineering degrees in relevant disciplines.
Eligible Disciplines Include:
- Computer Science Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Science
- Information Technology
- Electronics & Communication
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Automation & Robotics
- Mechatronics
- Production Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Automobile Engineering
The notification includes a very detailed list of eligible disciplines for AE(L) and AE(M).
Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch
Weapon Systems Branch
- Graduation in any discipline
- BE/B.Tech degree
Administration & Logistics
- Graduate degree in any discipline
Accounts Branch
Candidates should possess:
- B.Com
- BBA Finance
- BMS Finance
- BBS Finance
- CA/CMA/CS/CFA
- B.Sc Finance
Education Branch
- Graduation plus Post Graduation
Meteorology Branch
- B.Sc with Physics and Mathematics
- Engineering Degree in approved disciplines
AFCAT 02/2026 Type of Commission
The recruitment offers:
Permanent Commission (PC)
- Available for Men and Women
- Officers serve till superannuation
Short Service Commission (SSC)
Flying Branch
- 14 years tenure
Ground Duty Branches
- Initial 10 years
- Extendable by 4 years
SSC officers are not entitled to pension benefits.
AFCAT 02/2026 Application Fee
| Entry Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | ₹550 + GST |
| NCC Special Entry | No Fee |
| GATE Score Entry | No Fee |
AFCAT 02/2026 Selection Process
The selection process consists of multiple stages.
Stage 1 – AFCAT Written Examination
Candidates applying through AFCAT Entry must appear in the written examination.
Subjects Included
- General Awareness
- Verbal Ability in English
- Numerical Ability
- Reasoning
- Military Aptitude Test
Stage 2 – AFSB Interview
Candidates shortlisted after AFCAT will be called for:
- Officer Intelligence Rating Test
- Psychological Test
- Group Tests
- Interview
- Computerized Pilot Selection System (for Flying Branch)
Stage 3 – Medical Examination
Candidates recommended by AFSB undergo medical fitness tests.
Stage 4 – Final Merit List
Final selection is based on:
- AFCAT score
- AFSB performance
- Medical fitness
- Availability of vacancies
AFCAT 02/2026 Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 300 |
| Language | English |
AFCAT 02/2026 Marking Scheme
| Response Type | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +3 |
| Wrong Answer | -1 |
| Unattempted | 0 |
AFCAT 02/2026 Syllabus
The AFCAT syllabus includes:
English
- Comprehension
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Error Detection
- Cloze Test
- Idioms & Phrases
- Sentence Rearrangement
General Awareness
- History
- Geography
- Current Affairs
- Defence
- Economy
- Science & Technology
Numerical Ability
Topics include:
- Percentage
- Profit & Loss
- Time & Work
- Ratio & Proportion
- Probability
- Statistics
Reasoning & Military Aptitude
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
AFCAT 02/2026 Salary and Benefits
Candidates selected as commissioned officers in the Indian Air Force receive attractive salary packages and multiple allowances.
Pay Scale
- Starting salary approximately ₹56,100 per month
- Military Service Pay
- Flying Allowance
- Technical Allowance
- Dearness Allowance
Additional facilities include:
- Medical facilities
- Canteen services
- Accommodation
- Leave travel concessions
- Insurance coverage
AFCAT Training Details
Selected candidates will undergo training at the Air Force Academy.
Training includes:
- Physical conditioning
- Leadership development
- Weapon handling
- Flying training
- Technical training
- Military discipline
Why Choose Indian Air Force Career?
Joining the Indian Air Force is considered one of the most prestigious career opportunities in India.
Benefits include:
- Respectable government job
- Excellent salary
- Adventure and discipline
- Career growth
- National service
- Technical exposure
- Leadership opportunities
Candidates interested in aviation, defence services, and engineering careers often prefer AFCAT due to its dynamic work environment and opportunities.
AFCAT 02/2026 Physical Standards
Candidates should meet prescribed medical and physical standards as mentioned in the notification.
Important points include:
- Proper eyesight
- Height and weight standards
- Hearing ability
- Overall medical fitness
Flying branch candidates must satisfy stricter medical norms compared to Ground Duty branches.
Documents Required for AFCAT Application
Applicants should keep the following ready:
- Passport size photograph
- Signature
- Thumb impression
- Aadhaar Card
- Educational certificates
- Valid email ID
- Mobile number
How to Apply Online for AFCAT 02/2026
Candidates can apply online by following these steps:
- Visit the official AFCAT website
- Click on AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment
- Complete registration
- Verify mobile number and email ID using OTP
- Fill personal and educational details
- Upload photograph, signature, and thumb impression
- Pay application fee online
- Submit application form
- Download and print confirmation page
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Fill the application carefully
- Multiple applications may lead to rejection
- Use active email and mobile number
- Keep login credentials safe
- Carry original ID proof to exam centre
- Reach exam centre before reporting time
AFCAT 02/2026 Admit Card
The AFCAT admit card will be available from 04 August 2026 onwards on the official portal. Candidates need login credentials to download the admit card.
AFCAT 02/2026 Exam Centres
The exam will be conducted across multiple cities in India. Candidates can choose preferred exam cities during online application.
AFCAT Career Opportunities
Candidates joining through AFCAT can build successful careers in:
- Fighter aviation
- Transport aviation
- Helicopter operations
- Aeronautical engineering
- Logistics management
- Air traffic systems
- Administration
- Meteorology
The Indian Air Force provides world-class exposure and highly specialized training to officers.
AFCAT Preparation Tips
Candidates preparing for AFCAT should:
- Focus on current affairs daily
- Practice reasoning questions
- Improve English vocabulary
- Revise mathematics basics
- Solve mock tests regularly
- Improve speed and accuracy
Time management plays a crucial role in clearing AFCAT.
AFCAT 02/2026 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 02/2026?
The last date to apply online is 19 June 2026.
How many vacancies are announced in AFCAT 02/2026?
A total of 379 vacancies have been announced.
What is the AFCAT exam date?
The AFCAT examination will be held on 08 August 2026.
What is the AFCAT application fee?
The application fee is ₹550 + GST for AFCAT entry candidates.
Is there negative marking in AFCAT?
Yes, 1 mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
Can final year students apply?
Yes, final year students can apply subject to conditions mentioned in the notification.
The Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment 2026 presents an outstanding opportunity for young aspirants who dream of serving the nation as Air Force officers. With 379 vacancies across Flying and Ground Duty branches, attractive salary packages, career growth, and immense respect, AFCAT remains one of the most sought-after defence examinations in India.
Candidates are advised to apply well before the deadline and start their preparation seriously for the AFCAT examination scheduled in August 2026. Aspirants should carefully read the official notification to understand branch-wise eligibility, selection process, exam pattern, and important instructions.
