The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official AFCAT 01/2026 Notification PDF for recruitment to 340 posts across the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. AFCAT is one of India’s most prestigious defence entrance examinations that provides an opportunity for young, ambitious candidates to serve as Commissioned Officers in the Indian Air Force. Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for AFCAT due to the high respect, job security, salary benefits, and career opportunities that come with being an IAF officer.
The AFCAT 01/2026 notification includes vacancies for both Men and Women, including NCC Special Entry. The online application process has begun, and candidates meeting the required educational qualifications, age limits, medical standards, and physical fitness norms can apply. This comprehensive article covers every detail including eligibility, selection process, exam pattern, important dates, previous year cut-off, salary structure, training details, career growth, application steps, required documents, and a lot more.
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AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment – Overview
This section provides a snapshot of the entire recruitment process.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Indian Air Force |
| Exam Name | AFCAT 01/2026 |
| Number of Vacancies | 340 Posts |
| Exam Type | National Defence Entrance Exam |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) |
| Level | Graduate-Level |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Selection Stages | AFCAT Written Test, AFSB Interview, Medical Exam |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
AFCAT 01/2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| AFCAT 01/2026 Notification Release | December 2025 |
| Online Application Start | December 2025 |
| Online Application Last Date | January 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | January 2026 |
| AFCAT 01/2026 Admit Card | February 2026 |
| AFCAT 01/2026 Exam Date | March 2026 |
| AFSB Interview | April – July 2026 |
| Final Merit List | October 2026 |
AFCAT 01/2026 Vacancy Details (Total: 340 Posts)
Below is the detailed branch-wise and category-wise vacancy breakdown.
1. Flying Branch
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Men | 50 |
| Women | 10 |
| Total | 60 |
2. Ground Duty (Technical)
| Branch | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) | 100 | 20 | 120 |
| Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) | 80 | 15 | 95 |
3. Ground Duty (Non-Technical)
| Branch | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administration | 30 | 10 | 40 |
| Logistics | 16 | 5 | 21 |
| Accounts | 10 | 4 | 14 |
| Education | 12 | 6 | 18 |
| Meteorology | 10 | 2 | 12 |
4. NCC Special Entry
| Branch | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 40–50 (As per training capacity) |
AFCAT 01/2026 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility varies according to branch.
AFCAT 01/2026 Educational Qualification
Flying Branch
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| 10+2 | Maths & Physics with 50% each |
| Graduation | Any Graduate with 60% OR BE/B.Tech with 60% |
Ground Duty (Technical Branch)
| Branch | Qualification |
|---|---|
| AE (Electronics) | B.E./B.Tech in Electronics, Electrical, IT, Telecommunication, etc. with 60% |
| AE (Mechanical) | B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical, manufacturing, Aeronautics, etc. with 60% |
Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch)
| Branch | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Administration | Graduate with 60% |
| Logistics | Graduate with 60% |
| Accounts | B.Com with 60% |
| Education | PG Degree with 50% |
| Meteorology | B.Sc/M.Sc in relevant subjects |
NCC Special Entry
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| NCC Certificate | NCC Air Wing Senior Division C Certificate |
| Marks | Minimum 60% in Graduation |
AFCAT 01/2026 Age Limit
| Branch | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20–24 years |
| Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) | 20–26 years |
Age relaxation applies only for certain categories including licensed pilots.
AFCAT 01/2026 Physical Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Height (Flying) | 162.5 cm |
| Height (Ground Duty) | 157 cm |
| Vision | 6/6 better eye, 6/9 worse eye |
| Weight | As per Height-Weight chart |
| Chest (Men) | 5 cm expansion minimum |
AFCAT 01/2026 Apply Online
Candidates can apply online through afcat.cdac.in.
How to Apply Online for AFCAT 01/2026
- Visit the official AFCAT portal.
- Click on “AFCAT 01/2026 Application Form.”
- Register using email and mobile number.
- Fill personal, educational, and communication details.
- Select branches in preference order.
- Upload scanned documents.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit form and download confirmation.
AFCAT Application Fee 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Categories | Rs. 550 + GST |
| NCC Special Entry | No Fee |
AFCAT 01/2026 Selection Process
The selection process includes:
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | AFCAT Written Exam (for all except NCC) |
| Stage 2 | AFSB Interview (Psychological Tests + Group Tasks + Personal Interview) |
| Stage 3 | Medical Examination |
| Final Stage | Merit List |
AFCAT Written Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 2 Hours |
| Verbal Ability | 25 | 75 | |
| Numerical Ability | 18 | 54 | |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | 32 | 96 | |
| Total | 100 | 300 |
EKT Exam Pattern (For Technical Branch Only)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics | 50 | 150 | 45 minutes |
AFCAT Syllabus 2026 (Full Detailed)
General Awareness
- Polity, Geography, History
- Defense news
- Economy
- Sports
- Science & Tech
Verbal Ability
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Error detection
- Idioms & Phrases
- Reading Comprehension
Numerical Ability
- Percentages
- Profit & Loss
- Time & Work
- Ratio & Proportion
Reasoning and Military Aptitude
- Spatial ability
- Pattern recognition
- Coding-decoding
- Analogy
EKT Syllabus
- Engineering Mathematics
- Applied Physics
- Electrical circuits
- Thermodynamics
AFCAT Previous Year Cut-Off
Below are the detailed cut-offs for past years to understand the competition level.
AFCAT Cut-Off (Last Five Years)
| Year | AFCAT Cut-Off | EKT Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT 02/2024 | 155 | 40 |
| AFCAT 01/2024 | 158 | 45 |
| AFCAT 02/2023 | 151 | 41 |
| AFCAT 01/2023 | 155 | 42 |
| AFCAT 02/2022 | 157 | 40 |
| AFCAT 01/2022 | 165 | 44 |
Expected Cut-Off for AFCAT 01/2026
| Category | Expected Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Exam | 160–170 |
| EKT Exam | 43–48 |
The cut-off fluctuates depending on exam difficulty, vacancy count, and number of candidates appearing.
AFCAT Training and Posting Details
Once selected, candidates undergo rigorous training:
Training Details
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Training at AFA | 52 weeks |
| Flying Branch | 74 weeks (including flight training) |
| Ground Duty | 52 weeks |
AFCAT Salary 2026
AFCAT officers receive some of the best salary packages among defence forces.
AFCAT Salary Structure
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | Rs. 56,100 |
| Flying Allowance | Rs. 11,250 |
| Technical Allowance | Rs. 2,500 |
| DA | As per government rates |
| MSP | Rs. 15,500 |
| Total In-Hand Salary | Rs. 85,000 – Rs. 1,10,000 per month |
Additional Perks
- Free accommodation
- Subsidized canteen and ration
- Medical facilities
- 60 days leave + 20 casual leave
- Insurance coverage
- Pensions
AFCAT 01/2026 Preparation Strategy
General Tips
- Start with NCERT for basics.
- Practice previous years papers.
- Attempt mock tests regularly.
- Improve vocabulary with daily reading.
- Learn shortcut methods for quant.
Technical Branch Tips
- Revise engineering basics.
- Practice conceptual questions.
Best Books for AFCAT 2026
| Subject | Book |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Complete | Arihant AFCAT Guide |
| English | SP Bakshi |
| Quant | RS Aggarwal |
| Reasoning | MK Pandey |
| GK | Lucent GK |
FAQs – AFCAT 01/2026
1. What is AFCAT 01/2026?
A national-level exam conducted to recruit officers in the Indian Air Force.
2. How many vacancies are released?
A total of 340 vacancies.
3. What is the age limit?
20–24 years for Flying Branch, 20–26 years for Ground Duty.
4. Can women apply?
Yes, both men and women can apply.
5. What is the salary after AFCAT?
Rs. 85,000 – 1,10,000 per month.
6. Is there negative marking?
Yes, 1 mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
7. Is NCC special entry exempt from written exam?
Yes, NCC C holders go directly to AFSB.
8. What is the exam mode?
Computer-based.
9. Can final-year students apply?
Yes, if they meet eligibility before training.
10. What is the AFCAT training location?
Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad.
11. How to clear AFCAT in first attempt?
Consistent practice, strong basics, and previous year papers.
12. Does IAF provide uniform and accommodation?
Yes, completely free.
Conclusion
The Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2026 recruitment is one of the most prestigious opportunities for graduates to join the Armed Forces as Commissioned Officers. With 340 vacancies, excellent salary, solid career growth, and lifelong respect, AFCAT remains one of the most sought-after defence exams in India. Candidates interested in serving the nation should apply without delay and begin preparation early to secure a place in the merit list.
