AFCAT 02/2026 – Apply Online for Flying & Ground Duty Posts
Online Application Open | Exam on 08 August 2026
🔗 Apply at afcat.edcil.co.in →The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official notification for AFCAT 02/2026 (Air Force Common Admission Test) for recruitment of Group 'A' Gazetted Officers in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches. Online applications are invited from eligible Indian citizens (Men and Women). The AFCAT examination will be conducted on 08 August 2026 (Saturday). Candidates can apply online through the official AFCAT website. This post provides complete details of eligibility, branch-wise vacancies, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, medical standards, pay scale, and step‑by‑step application instructions.
📋 Quick Overview – AFCAT 02/2026
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | AFCAT 02/2026 (Air Force Common Admission Test) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force (IAF) through EDCIL |
| Exam Date | 08 August 2026 (Saturday) |
| Application Mode | Online only (https://afcat.edcil.co.in) |
| Application Period | Starts immediately – Last date not specified (apply early) |
| Exam Fee | ₹550 + 18% GST (non‑refundable) – Exempted for NCC Special Entry & GATE Score Entry |
| Total Marks | 300 (100 questions, 3 marks each, negative marking 1 mark per wrong answer) |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Language | English only |
| Official Website | afcat.edcil.co.in |
🎯 Branch-wise Vacancies (Course Number 222/27F/SSC/M&W & 221/27T & 221/27G)
The following are the tentative vacancies for AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry, and GATE Score Entry. (PC – Permanent Commission, SSC – Short Service Commission)
| Entry | Branch | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | — | — | 30 | — |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) – AE(L) & AE(M) | 2 (L) + 8 (M) | 2 (L) + 2 (M) | 107 (L) + 52 (M) | 25 (L) + 13 (M) |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Technical) – WS, Adm, Lgs, Accts, Edn, Met | — | — | WS:21, Adm:50, Lgs:4, Accts:5, Edn:1, Met:1 | WS:5, Adm:12, Lgs:2, Accts:2, Edn:1, Met:2 |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC | |||
| GATE Score Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | AE(L): 1 (PC Men), 1 (PC Women), 12 (SSC Men), 3 (SSC Women); AE(M): 1 (PC Men), 1 (PC Women), 6 (SSC Men), 1 (SSC Women) | |||
Note: Vacancies are tentative and subject to change as per organisational requirements.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Candidate must be a citizen of India as per Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
Age Limit (as on 01 July 2027)
- Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry): 20 to 24 years (born between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2007). Upper age relaxation up to 26 years for valid CPL holders.
- Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) through AFCAT: 20 to 26 years (born between 02 July 2001 and 01 July 2007).
- Ground Duty (Technical) through GATE Score Entry: 20 to 26 years (same as above).
Marital Status
Candidates must be unmarried at the time of course commencement. Marriage during training is not permitted and will lead to termination.
Educational Qualifications
Flying Branch: Mandatory Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level AND any of the following:
- Graduation (three years degree course) in any discipline from a recognized university.
- BE/B.Tech (four years course) from a recognized university.
- Cleared Section A & B examination of AMIE or Aeronautical Society of India.
Ground Duty (Technical) – Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) [AE(L)]: Physics and Maths at 10+2 + BE/B.Tech in Electronics, Computer Science, IT, Electrical, Instrumentation, or related disciplines (full list of 133 streams in notification).
Ground Duty (Technical) – Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) [AE(M)]: Physics and Maths at 10+2 + BE/B.Tech in Mechanical, Aerospace, Production, Automobile, Mechatronics, or related disciplines.
GATE Score Entry (Technical): Valid GATE score (within 3 years) in relevant subjects (Aerospace, Mechanical, Production, Engineering Sciences, Computer Science, Electronics, Electrical, Instrumentation).
Ground Duty (Non-Technical):
- Weapon Systems (WS): Physics & Maths at 10+2 + Graduation/B.E./B.Tech in any discipline.
- Administration & Logistics: 10+2 + Graduation in any discipline.
- Accounts: 10+2 + B.Com / BBA (Finance) / BMS (Finance) / BBS (Finance) / CA/CMA/CS/CFA / B.Sc (Finance).
- Education: 10+2 + Post-Graduation in any discipline.
- Meteorology: 10+2 + B.Sc (Physics & Maths) or B.E./B.Tech in relevant engineering streams.
NCC Special Entry: NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate (acquired within 2 years from registration date).
Note: Candidates appearing in final year/semester can also apply, provided they have no backlog at the time of application and submit proof of completion by 30 May 2027.
📖 AFCAT 02/2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The online examination will be of 2 hours duration with 100 objective type questions (English only). Marking scheme: +3 marks for correct answer, -1 mark for wrong answer, no marks for un‑attempted.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | — | 100 questions – 300 marks |
| Verbal Ability in English | — | |
| Numerical Ability | — | |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | — |
Syllabus Highlights:
- English: Comprehension, error detection, sentence completion, synonyms/antonyms, cloze test, idioms, analogy, sentence rearrangement.
- General Awareness: History, Geography, Sports, Organisations, Art & Culture, Personalities, Environment, Polity, Economy, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, Defence.
- Numerical Ability: Decimal fraction, time & work, average, percentage, profit & loss, ratio, simple/compound interest, time & distance, area, probability, number system, HCF/LCM, mensuration, statistics.
- Reasoning & Military Aptitude: Verbal and non‑verbal reasoning.
Standard of Numerical Ability – Matriculation level; other subjects – Graduation level.
📝 Selection Process
- Online AFCAT Examination: 08 August 2026. Candidates who meet the cut‑off will be shortlisted.
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing: 5‑day process at one of the AFSB centres (Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, Guwahati).
- AFSB Stage‑I: Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR) + Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT). Shortlisted candidates proceed to Stage‑II.
- AFSB Stage‑II: Psychological tests, Group Tests, and Personal Interview.
- CPSS for Flying Branch: Computerised Pilot Selection System (once in a lifetime).
- Medical Examination: At a military hospital as per prescribed standards.
- Final Merit List: Based on AFCAT marks + AFSB marks + medical fitness.
📱 How to Apply Online for AFCAT 02/2026
- Visit the official AFCAT website: https://afcat.edcil.co.in.
- Click on “Register” and complete the sign‑up process (Email, Mobile, OTP verification).
- Log in with the generated User ID and Password.
- Fill in personal details, communication details, educational qualifications, course preferences, etc.
- Upload scanned images of:
- Recent passport size colour photograph (100‑200 KB, JPG/JPEG)
- Signature (80‑150 KB, JPG/JPEG)
- Thumb impression (male: left thumb, female: right thumb) (50‑100 KB, JPG/JPEG)
- Pay the application fee (₹550 + 18% GST) online via Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, UPI. (No fee for NCC Special Entry & GATE Score Entry).
- Verify all details and submit the application. Take a printout of the confirmation page.
📌 Admit Card & Exam Day Instructions
- Admit Card Download: From 04 August 2026 (1100 Hr) onwards on the AFCAT website.
- Reporting Time: 0800 Hr. Gate closes at 0930 Hr. No entry after that.
- Documents to Carry:
- Printed e‑Admit Card
- Aadhaar Card (original)
- Second photo ID (PAN/Passport/Driving Licence/Voter ID)
- Two passport size colour photographs (same as uploaded)
- Ballpoint pen (Blue/Black)
- Prohibited Items: Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, books, wallets, ornaments, etc.
💰 Pay & Allowances for Commissioned Officers
| Rank | Pay Level (7th CPC) | Pay Matrix | MSP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Officer | 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 | ₹15,500 |
Training Stipend: Flight Cadets receive ₹56,100 per month during one year of training.
Additional Allowances: Flying Allowance, Technical Allowance, Transport Allowance, Risk & Hardship Allowance, etc. as applicable.
Insurance: Mandatory cover of ₹1.25 Cr (on contribution) through AFGIS.
🩺 Medical Standards (Brief)
- Height (Flying): 162 cm (Pilots, FTE, WSO Su‑30); 157 cm (other aircrew).
- Height (Ground Duty Male): 157 cm; Female: 152 cm (relaxations for certain ethnicities).
- Weight: As per age‑height weight chart.
- Visual Acuity: Flying Branch: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other, correctable to 6/6 both (Hypermetropia only). Ground Duty: correctable to 6/6 each eye.
- Colour Vision: CP‑I for Flying, CP‑II for Ground Duty.
- Refractive Surgery: PRK, LASIK, SMILE allowed if done after age 20, 12 months stable, residual refraction ≤ ±1.0 D, axial length ≤26 mm, corneal thickness ≥450 microns. (RK surgery – unfit).
- Tattoos: Only on inner face of forearms and back of palm/hand permitted. Tribal candidates with custom tattoos allowed with certificates.
For full medical standards, refer to the official notification (Appendix A).
🔗 Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Official Website | https://afcat.edcil.co.in/ |
| IAF Official Website | https://indianairforce.nic.in/ |
| Download AFCAT 02/2026 Notification (PDF) | Attached: afctNotification for AFCAT Cycle 02-2026.pdf |
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is AFCAT 02/2026?
A1. It is the Air Force Common Admission Test conducted by IAF for recruitment of Group 'A' Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duty branches.
Q2. When is the AFCAT 02/2026 exam?
A2. 08 August 2026 (Saturday).
Q3. What is the age limit for Flying Branch?
A3. 20 to 24 years (relaxable to 26 years for CPL holders).
Q4. What is the age limit for Ground Duty Branches?
A4. 20 to 26 years.
Q5. What is the educational qualification for Flying Branch?
A5. Graduation in any discipline or BE/B.Tech with Physics & Maths at 10+2 level.
Q6. What is the exam pattern for AFCAT?
A6. 100 objective questions (General Awareness, English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning), 2 hours, +3 for correct, -1 for wrong.
Q7. How to apply for AFCAT 02/2026?
A7. Apply online at afcat.edcil.co.in. Fee ₹550 + 18% GST.
Q8. What is the selection process?
A8. Online AFCAT → AFSB testing (Stage I & II) → Medical examination → Merit list.
Q9. What is the pay scale for Flying Officer?
A9. Level‑10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) + MSP ₹15,500.
Q10. What is the official website for AFCAT?
A10. https://afcat.edcil.co.in
🎯 Conclusion
The AFCAT 02/2026 is an excellent opportunity for aspiring officers to join the prestigious Indian Air Force. Eligible candidates must carefully review the eligibility criteria, prepare for the online examination as per the syllabus, and apply online before the deadline. The selection process is rigorous but rewarding. Stay updated through the official AFCAT website and prepare well for the AFSB testing. For more Sarkari Nokrii updates on defence and government job notifications, stay connected with us.