Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 – Officer Recruitment
Indian Air Force has opened applications for AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) Cycle 02/2026 for Short Service Commission and Permanent Commission Officer entries. This batch covers Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical, Ground Duty Non-Technical, Meteorology, and NCC Special Entry. The AFCAT exam is on 08 August 2026 (Saturday) and the last date to apply was extended to 21 June 2026.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Application Start | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date (Extended) | 21 June 2026 |
| Fee Last Date | 21 June 2026 |
| Admit Card | Before exam |
| AFCAT Exam | 08 August 2026 (Saturday) |
| Age Calculated as on | 01 July 2027 |
Application Fee
| Entry Type | Fee |
|---|
| AFCAT Entry (All Categories) | ₹550 |
| NCC Special Entry | Free (No Fee) |
| Payment Mode | Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI |
Vacancy Break-Up
| Branch | Posts | Gender |
|---|
| Flying Branch | 35 (30 Male + 5 Female) | Male & Female |
| Ground Duty Technical (Aeronautical Engg — Mech & Electronics) | 235 | Male & Female |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical (Admin, Logistics, Education, Accounts, Meteorology) | 104 | Male & Female |
| Meteorology Entry | 3 | Male & Female |
| NCC Special Entry | 10% of vacancies | Male & Female |
Educational Qualification
| Branch | Qualification |
|---|
| Flying Branch | Bachelor's degree in any stream + Physics & Maths at 10+2 level |
| Ground Duty Technical (Aero Engg) | 4-year Engineering Degree (Mechanical or Electronics/Electrical) with minimum 60% in 10+2 PCM |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical (Admin/Logistics/Education) | Bachelor's degree with minimum 60% marks (any stream) |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical (Accounts) | B.Com with minimum 60% marks |
| Meteorology | Post-Graduate degree in Science/Maths/Statistics/Geography or BE/BTech in relevant discipline |
Age Limit (as on 01/07/2027)
| Branch | Age |
|---|
| Flying Branch | 20–24 years (born 02 Jul 2003 – 01 Jul 2007) |
| Ground Duty Technical / Non-Technical | 20–26 years (born 02 Jul 2001 – 01 Jul 2007) |
Physical Standards
- Male Minimum Height: 157.5 cm (Flying: 162.5 cm)
- Female Minimum Height: 152 cm
- Good vision, physical and medical fitness as per IAF standards
Selection Process
- AFCAT Written Exam — 08 Aug 2026 (Online CBT)
- AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) Testing — 5-day assessment at AFSB centres
- Medical Examination — By Air Force Medical Team
- Final Merit & Commission
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the AFCAT exam syllabus?
AFCAT covers: Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test, and General Awareness. The exam is 2 hours with 100 questions (3 marks each, -1 for wrong).
Q: Can female candidates apply for AFCAT Flying Branch?
Yes — 5 out of 35 Flying Branch vacancies are for female candidates in AFCAT 02/2026.