The Indian Air Force (IAF) is one of the most prestigious defence forces in the country, offering young Indian citizens the opportunity to serve the nation as Group 'A' Gazetted Officers. Through the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), the IAF recruits talented men and women into its Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches, shaping India's aerial defence capabilities. AFCAT remains one of the most sought-after entry routes into the IAF, offering candidates a prestigious career combined with adventure, discipline, and national service.
Why You Should Apply
This recruitment offers young Indian citizens, both men and women, the opportunity to join the elite ranks of the Indian Air Force as Gazetted Officers, with multiple entry routes available — AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry, and GATE Score Entry. Candidates can choose between Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission based on their branch and preference, offering flexibility in career planning. Beyond the prestige of serving the nation, IAF officers enjoy structured career progression, world-class training, and the unique experience of flying or supporting some of the most advanced aircraft and technology in the country's defence arsenal.
About the Post
Selected candidates will be commissioned as Group 'A' Gazetted Officers in one of three broad branches: Flying Branch (piloting aircraft), Ground Duty Technical Branch (covering Aeronautical Engineering in Electronics — AE(L), and Mechanical — AE(M)), and Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch (covering Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology, and Weapon Systems). Entry into these branches is possible through AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry (for Flying Branch), and GATE Score Entry (for Ground Duty Technical Branch). Officers under Permanent Commission serve till superannuation, while Short Service Commission officers serve for a fixed tenure with a possibility of extension or later conversion to Permanent Commission, subject to service requirements.
Recruitment Overview
The Indian Air Force has released the notification for AFCAT 02/2026, inviting applications for courses commencing in July 2027 across Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches, NCC Special Entry, and GATE Score Entry. Online applications can be submitted through the official AFCAT website (https://afcat.edcil.co.in) from 20 May 2026 (1100 Hrs) to 19 June 2026 (2330 Hrs). The online AFCAT written examination will be conducted on 08 August 2026 (Saturday), followed by AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) testing for shortlisted candidates.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026, 1100 Hrs |
| Online Application Last Date | 19 June 2026, 2330 Hrs |
| AFCAT Written Examination Date | 08 August 2026 (Saturday) |
| Admit Card Date | Not mentioned |
| Result Date | Not mentioned |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
Vacancy Details
| Entry | Branch | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | -- | -- | 30 | 5 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) — AE(L) | 2 | 2 | 107 | 25 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) — AE(M) | 8 | 2 | 52 | 13 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | -- | -- | WS: 21, Adm: 50, Lgs: 4, Accts: 5, Edn: 1, Met: 1 | WS: 5, Adm: 12, Lgs: 2, Accts: 2, Edn: 2, Met: 2 |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | -- | -- | 10% of CDSE vacancies (PC) | 10% of AFCAT vacancies (SSC) |
| GATE Score Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) — AE(L) | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 |
| GATE Score Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) — AE(M) | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
Note: Vacancies indicated are tentative and subject to change without notice; actual intake depends on organizational requirements and training slot availability. Two seats are reserved from Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vacancies for Law-qualified candidates.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as on 01 July 2027):
- Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry): 20 to 24 years, i.e., born between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2007 (both dates inclusive). Relaxable up to 26 years (born between 02 July 2001 and 01 July 2007) for candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India).
- Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch, including GATE Score Entry: 20 to 26 years, i.e., born between 02 July 2001 and 01 July 2007 (both dates inclusive).
Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course; marriage is not permitted during training. Marrying during training will lead to termination and liability to refund all expenditure incurred by the Government.
Proof of Date of Birth: Only the Date of Birth as recorded in the Matriculation/Higher Secondary Examination Certificate (or equivalent recognized certificate) will be accepted; no other document (horoscopes, affidavits, municipal birth extracts, service records) will be accepted, and no subsequent request for change will be considered.
Educational Qualification:
- Flying Branch: Must have passed Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level, AND Graduation (minimum 3-year degree course in any discipline) from a recognized University, OR BE/B.Tech degree (4-year course) from a recognized University, OR cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India.
- Ground Duty (Technical) Branch — Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) [AE(L)]: Must have passed Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, AND MSc Electronics with BSc in Physics, OR a minimum 4-year degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/Technology from a recognized University, OR cleared Sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India)/Aeronautical Society of India, OR Graduate membership examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, in disciplines including (but not limited to) Advanced Computer Application, AI and Data Science, AI and Machine Learning, Computer and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering (Software Engineering), Computer Engineering and Application, Computer Science and Design, Computer Networking, Computer Science and Engineering, Cyber Physical Systems, Computer Science, and Computer Science and Engineering (IoT and Cyber Security including Blockchain Technology).
Nationality: Candidates must be citizens of India as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
Physical Standards
Detailed physical/medical standards are not included in the extracted notification content — candidates are advised to refer to the complete official AFCAT notification for medical fitness and physical standards applicable to each branch.
Salary/Pay Scale
Not mentioned in the extracted notification content — candidates should refer to the official AFCAT notification for pay and allowances applicable to Flying and Ground Duty officers.
Selection Process
The selection process involves a Written Examination (AFCAT online exam), followed by AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) Testing for shortlisted candidates. Admission at all stages — written examination and SSB test — is purely provisional, subject to candidates satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions; candidature can be cancelled at any stage if found ineligible on verification. Mere issue of Admit Card/Call-up Letter does not imply final acceptance of candidature by the IAF.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Not detailed in the extracted notification content — candidates should refer to the official AFCAT notification/website for the complete exam pattern and syllabus.
Application Fee
Not mentioned in the extracted notification content.
How to Apply
- Visit the official AFCAT website at https://afcat.edcil.co.in.
- Register and create your account/login credentials on the portal.
- Carefully read the complete eligibility criteria for your chosen entry (AFCAT Entry/NCC Special Entry/GATE Score Entry) and branch before proceeding.
- Fill in the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and category details.
- Select the branch (Flying/Ground Duty Technical/Ground Duty Non-Technical) and specific discipline (AE(L)/AE(M), etc.) you wish to apply for.
- Upload all required documents as specified on the application portal.
- Review all details carefully before final submission, as changes to key details like Date of Birth will not be entertained later.
- Submit the application within the window open from 20 May 2026 (1100 Hrs) to 19 June 2026 (2330 Hrs).
- Download and retain your application confirmation/registration details for future reference.
- Prepare for and appear in the online AFCAT written examination scheduled on 08 August 2026 (Saturday).
- If shortlisted, attend the AFSB Testing as per the schedule communicated by the IAF.
Documents Required
Matriculation/Secondary School Leaving Certificate or equivalent (for Date of Birth proof), Higher Secondary/10+2 certificate showing Mathematics and Physics, Graduation/Engineering degree certificates and mark sheets as applicable to the branch applied for, and (where the Matriculation/Higher Secondary certificate does not show exact date of birth) a self-attested certificate from the Headmaster/Principal of the institution confirming the date of birth as recorded in the Admission Register.
Important Instructions
- Candidates must ensure they fulfill all eligibility conditions before applying; admission at all stages remains provisional and subject to verification.
- If found ineligible at any stage — before or after the written examination or AFSB Testing — candidature will be cancelled by the IAF, with no representation entertained.
- Only the Date of Birth recorded in the Matriculation/Higher Secondary Examination Certificate will be accepted; no other age-related documents will be considered, and no subsequent change requests will be entertained.
- Candidates must be unmarried at the time of course commencement; marriage during training leads to termination and liability for expenditure refund.
- Vacancies indicated are tentative and subject to change based on organizational requirements; the IAF reserves the right to finalize actual vacancies in each branch.
- Two seats from Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vacancies are specifically reserved for Law-qualified candidates.
- SSC officers are not entitled to pension.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is AFCAT 02/2026? A1. It is the second Air Force Common Admission Test cycle of 2026, inviting applications for Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches of the Indian Air Force, for courses commencing in July 2027.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 02/2026? A2. The online application window closes on 19 June 2026 at 2330 Hrs; it opens on 20 May 2026 at 1100 Hrs.
Q3. When will the AFCAT written examination be held? A3. The AFCAT online written examination will be conducted on 08 August 2026 (Saturday).
Q4. What is the age limit for AFCAT 02/2026? A4. For Flying Branch, candidates must be 20-24 years old as on 01 July 2027 (relaxable to 26 years for valid Commercial Pilot License holders); for Ground Duty branches, candidates must be 20-26 years old as on the same date.
Q5. What educational qualifications are required for the Flying Branch? A5. Candidates need Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level, along with a 3-year Graduation degree in any discipline, or a 4-year BE/B.Tech degree, or equivalent Associate Membership examinations.
Q6. Can candidates apply through GATE Score for AFCAT 02/2026? A6. Yes, GATE Score Entry is available specifically for the Ground Duty (Technical) Branch, covering AE(L) and AE(M) disciplines.
Q7. What is the difference between Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission? A7. Permanent Commission (PC) officers serve until superannuation; Short Service Commission (SSC) officers serve for a fixed tenure (14 years for Flying Branch, 10 years extendable by 4 years for Ground Duty), with SSC officers not entitled to pension.
Important Links
- Official Website: https://afcat.edcil.co.in
- Apply Online: https://afcat.edcil.co.in
- Download Notification PDF: Available on the official AFCAT website
- Official Notification: AFCAT 02/2026
Conclusion
AFCAT 02/2026 offers young Indian men and women a prestigious opportunity to join the Indian Air Force as Group 'A' Gazetted Officers across Flying and Ground Duty branches, through multiple entry routes including AFCAT, NCC Special Entry, and GATE Score Entry. Eligible candidates should complete their online application well before the deadline of 19 June 2026 and prepare thoroughly for the written examination scheduled on 08 August 2026. For more such defence and government job updates, keep visiting certifica.in.