✅ Direct Apply Link + Full Details Available Below
📄 AFCAT 02/2026 Online Form - Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially released the notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2026 for the course commencing in July 2027. Eligible candidates can apply online for Commissioned Officer posts in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches.
Post Date: 12 May 2026 | Form Starts: 20 May 2026
🔍 About AFCAT 02/2026
The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted twice a year by the Indian Air Force to recruit Commissioned Officers. Through AFCAT 02/2026, IAF invites graduates from across India to serve the nation as Flying Officers in the Flying Branch, or as Ground Duty officers in Technical and Non-Technical branches.
Both Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) are offered to men and women candidates. The course is scheduled to begin in July 2027.
📅 Important Dates
| 📄 Notification Released | 20 May 2026 |
| 💻 Online Form Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| ⏳ Last Date to Apply | 19 June 2026 |
| - 📑 Admit Card | ⏳ To be notified |
| 📅 Exam Date (Expected) | ⏳ Aug-Sep 2026 |
| 🎓 Course Commencement | July 2027 |
💰 Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| All Categories (Gen / OBC / SC / ST) | 550/- |
| Payment Mode | Online (Net Banking / Debit Card / Credit Card / UPI) |
Fee once paid is non-refundable.
🎂 Age Limit (As on 01 July 2027)
| Branch | 🎂 Age Limit | Date of Birth Range |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry) | 20 - 24 Years | 02 July 2003 to 01 July 2007 |
| Flying Branch (with valid DGCA CPL) | Up to 26 Years | 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007 |
| Ground Duty Technical | 20 - 26 Years | 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007 |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | 20 - 26 Years | 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007 |
Candidates must be unmarried at the time of course commencement. Marriage is not permitted during training.
📋 Vacancy Details: 300+ Posts (Expected)
| Branch | Entry Type | Commission | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | AFCAT Entry | PC / SSC | Men & Women |
| Flying Branch | NCC Special Entry | SSC | Men & Women |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | AFCAT Entry | PC / SSC | Men & Women |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | AFCAT Entry | PC / SSC | Men & Women |
Exact vacancy split will be announced in the official notification PDF. Total 300+ posts expected.
📚 Eligibility & Qualification
| Branch | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | Graduation with 60% marks OR 10+2 with Physics & Maths with 50% marks in each subject |
| Ground Duty (Technical) - AE(L) | B.E. / B.Tech (Electronics / Electrical / Communication / Computer Science) with 60% marks |
| Ground Duty (Technical) - AE(M) | B.E. / B.Tech (Mechanical / Aeronautical / Civil) with 60% marks |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Graduation in any discipline with minimum 60% marks from a recognized University |
| NCC Special Entry (Flying) | Graduation with 60% marks + NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' Certificate with 'B' Grade |
✅ Nationality: Candidate must be a Citizen of India.
🎯 Selection Process
- 1 Written Examination (AFCAT) - Online CBT Mode
- 2 Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) - Only for Ground Duty (Technical)
- 3 AFSB Interview - Air Force Selection Board (5-Day Assessment)
- 4 Medical Examination - Conducted at IAM Bengaluru / AFCME Delhi
- 5 Document Verification
- 6 Final Merit List
AFSB is conducted at centers in Dehradun, Mysore, Varanasi and Gandhinagar.
📝 AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability in English | ~20 | ~60 |
| Numerical Ability | ~18 | ~54 |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | ~32 | ~96 |
| General Awareness | ~30 | ~90 |
| Total | 100 Questions | 300 Marks |
- ✅ Each correct answer = +3 marks
- ❌ Each wrong answer = -1 mark (Negative Marking)
- Duration: 2 Hours (120 minutes)
- Mode: Online (CBT)
🔍 EKT Exam Pattern (Technical Branch Only)
| Stream | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | 50 | 150 | 45 Mins |
| Electronics & Communication | 50 | 150 | 45 Mins |
| Computer Science | 50 | 150 | 45 Mins |
EKT is conducted immediately after AFCAT exam on the same day.
📋 AFCAT Syllabus 2026
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | Comprehension, Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, Error Spotting, Cloze Test |
| Numerical Ability | Decimal & Fractions, Percentage, Average, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Speed & Distance |
| Reasoning | Verbal Skills, Spatial Ability, Military Aptitude |
| General Awareness | History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Current Affairs, Defence |
💰 Salary & Pay Scale
| Pay Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Flying Officer) | ₹ 56,100/- per month (Level 10) |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹ 15,500/- per month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | As per Government norms |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | As per posting location |
| Flight Pay / Technical Pay | As applicable |
| Gross Salary (Approx) | ₹ 1,00,000+ per month (including all allowances) |
✅ Other benefits include free accommodation, medical facilities, CSD canteen, LTC, and more.
📈 AFCAT Previous Year Expected Cut Off
Below is the expected AFCAT cut off trend based on previous years.
| Branch | Expected Cut Off (Out of 300) |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 155 - 175 |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 140 - 165 |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 140 - 160 |
Actual cut off depends on exam difficulty and number of applicants.
💻 How to Apply for AFCAT 02/2026
Follow these simple steps to apply online for AFCAT 02/2026:
- Visit the official website: afcat.cdac.in
- 🖱️ Click on "Register/Login for AFCAT 02/2026"
- Register with Name, Email ID and Mobile Number
- - Login using your Registration ID and Password
- - Fill the Application Form carefully with all correct details
- Upload Photo, Signature and required documents
- Pay application fee of 550/- online
- Submit the form and save the Confirmation Page / Print it
Always verify all details before final submission. No changes are possible after submission.
✨ Apply Online Opens: 20 May 2026 | Last Date: 19 June 2026
🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS
- Apply Online (AFCAT 02/2026) Click to Apply - Download Official Notification PDF Click Here Download AFCAT Previous Year Question Papers Click Here - Check Syllabus & Exam Pattern Click Here Official Website careerindianairforce.cdac.in AFCAT Helpdesk: +91-9513252077 Click Here❓ FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. What is AFCAT 02/2026?
A: AFCAT 02/2026 is the Air Force Common Admission Test conducted by Indian Air Force for recruiting
Commissioned Officers in Flying and Ground Duty branches.
Q2. How many posts are available in AFCAT 02/2026?
A: 300+ posts are expected. Exact vacancy count will be mentioned in the official notification.
Q3. What is the qualification for AFCAT?
A: Graduation with minimum 60% marks from a recognized university (for Non-Technical). B.Tech for
Technical branch.
Q4. Is AFCAT a permanent job?
A: Both Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) are offered. SSC has an initial
service period of 10-14 years.
Q5. What is the salary after joining IAF through AFCAT?
A: Starting Basic Pay is 56,100/- per month. Total in-hand including allowances is 1,00,000+ per
month.
Q6. Can women apply for AFCAT 02/2026?
A: Yes, women can apply for all branches - Flying, Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical).
Q7. Is there negative marking in AFCAT?
A: Yes. -1 mark for every wrong answer.
Q8. What is the AFCAT application fee?
A: 550/- for all categories. Payment mode is online only.
💡 Preparation Tips for AFCAT 02/2026
- Focus on Defence & Current Affairs - IAF related news
- Practice Previous Year AFCAT Papers daily
- Revise NCERT books (Science, History, Geography, Polity)
- Give Mock Tests under timed conditions
- Strengthen Numerical Ability with shortcuts
- - Read English newspapers daily for verbal ability
- Stay physically fit for AFSB - aim 1.6 km in 10 mins, 10 push-ups, 3 chin-ups
- 📑 AFCAT Previous Year Sample Questions
Practicing AFCAT Previous Year Questions is the best strategy to crack the exam.
-
Who was the first Indian to fly solo around the world in a microlight aircraft?
A. Wing Commander Vijayant Thapar
B. Flying Officer Nizhoni Burman
C. Capt. Dilip Donde
D. Air Marshal Arjun Singh
Answer: C. Capt. Dilip Donde -
AFCAT is conducted by which organization?
A. UPSC
B. Indian Air Force
C. Ministry of Defence
D. NDA
Answer: B. Indian Air Force -
What is 'Mach 1'?
A. Speed of light
B. Speed of sound
C. Speed of aircraft
D. None of these
Answer: B. Speed of Sound (~343 m/s) -
Operation Cactus was conducted to restore order in which country?
A. Sri Lanka
B. Maldives
C. Bhutan
D. Nepal
Answer: B. Maldives
Solving PYQs improves accuracy and helps understand exam pattern.
