Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment Notification: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official notification for AFCAT 01/2026 and NCC Special Entry Scheme for both men and women candidates. The recruitment aims to fill positions in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches of the Indian Air Force.
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Post Date | November 4, 2025 |
| Category | Defence Jobs | Sarkari Naukri | Air Force Jobs |
The online application process will begin on November 10, 2025, and continue till December 9, 2025.
This is an excellent opportunity for graduates and engineers to join the Indian Air Force as commissioned officers through the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT).
AFCAT 01/2026 – Overview
| Organization Name | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 01/2026) |
| Post Name | Flying Branch & Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) |
| Total Vacancies | To be announced soon |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Starting Date to Apply | November 10, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | December 9, 2025 |
| Exam Date | February 2026 (Tentative) |
| Official Website | AFCAT Portal (for reference only) |
Indian Air Force AFCAT 2025 – Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Branch | Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | Graduation (minimum 60%) with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level OR B.E./B.Tech degree from a recognized university. |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | B.E./B.Tech in relevant engineering branch (Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Computer, etc.). |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Graduation (minimum 60%) in any discipline; for Accounts, candidates should have a B.Com degree. |
| NCC Special Entry (Flying Branch) | NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate with a valid score in written test. |
AFCAT 2025 – Age Limit
| Branch | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20 Years | 24 Years |
| Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) | 20 Years | 26 Years |
Note:
- Upper age relaxation as per government norms.
- Candidates with valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) can apply up to 26 years.
AFCAT 2025 – Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| All Categories | ₹550 /- (including GST) |
| NCC Special Entry | No Fee Required |
Mode of Payment: Online via Debit/Credit Card or UPI.
AFCAT 2025 – Selection Process
The selection for Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2026 will be conducted in multiple stages:
- Online Written Examination (AFCAT)
- AFSB Interview (SSB-type Interview)
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
Candidates clearing the written exam will receive call letters for the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview.
AFCAT Exam Pattern 2025
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 2 Hours |
| Verbal Ability in English | 25 | 75 | |
| Numerical Ability | 18 | 54 | |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test | 32 | 96 | |
| Total | 100 | 300 | 120 Minutes |
Negative Marking: 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.
Type of Questions: All are Objective Multiple Choice questions.
Medical Examination Centers
Medical tests for selected candidates will be conducted at the following two centers:
- Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM), Bengaluru
- Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), New Delhi
AFCAT 2025 – Salary Structure
| Rank | Pay Scale (Per Month) |
|---|---|
| Flying Officer | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Flight Lieutenant | ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900 |
| Squadron Leader | ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200 |
| Wing Commander | ₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400 |
| Group Captain | ₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900 |
| Air Commodore | ₹1,39,600 – ₹2,17,600 |
| Air Vice Marshal | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 |
| Air Marshal (HAG Scale) | ₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100 |
| HAG+ Scale | ₹2,05,400 – ₹2,24,400 |
| VACS/Air Marshal (NFSG) | ₹2,25,000 (fixed) |
| CAS (Chief of Air Staff) | ₹2,50,000 (fixed) |
Apart from the salary, selected candidates are entitled to:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- Military Service Pay (MSP)
- Uniform Allowance
- Travel Allowance
- Insurance, Pension, and Leave Benefits
Training and Service Conditions
- Training for selected candidates will commence in January 2027 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad).
- The duration of training is approximately 74 weeks for Flying and Technical Branches and 52 weeks for Non-Technical Branches.
- Candidates will be required to sign a bond to serve the IAF for a minimum of 10 years.
How to Apply for AFCAT 01/2026
Follow these steps to complete the online application:
- Visit the AFCAT portal (official site).
- Click on “AFCAT 01/2026 – Apply Online” option.
- Register with your email ID and mobile number.
- Fill out the online form carefully with educational and personal details.
- Upload the required documents, photograph, and signature.
- Pay the application fee (₹550/-) and submit the form.
- Take a printout of the confirmation page for future use.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | November 4, 2025 |
| Application Start Date | November 10, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | December 9, 2025 |
| AFCAT 2026 Exam Date | February 2026 (Tentative) |
| Admit Card Release | January 2026 |
FAQs – AFCAT 01/2026
Q1. When will the AFCAT 01/2026 application process start?
A1. The online applications will start from November 10, 2025.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 01/2026?
A2. The last date to apply is December 9, 2025.
Q3. What is the application fee for AFCAT 2025?
A3. The application fee is ₹550/- for all categories, while NCC Special Entry candidates are exempted.
Q4. What is the age limit for AFCAT 2025?
A4. The age limit for the Flying Branch is 20–24 years, and for Ground Duty is 20–26 years.
Q5. How much salary will be offered in AFCAT 2025?
A5. The starting salary for Flying Officers is ₹56,100 per month, going up to ₹2,50,000 per month for senior ranks.
