The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially released the AFCAT 2025 Notification (AFCAT 01/2026) for recruitment in the Flying Officer, Technical, and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. Candidates aspiring to join the Indian Air Force as commissioned officers can apply online from November 10, 2025, through the official website afcat.cdac.in. This recruitment offers one of the most prestigious career opportunities for graduates and engineers in India and abroad who wish to serve the nation through the AFCAT 2025 exam.
AFCAT 2025 Important Dates and Overview
| Details | Information |
| Recruitment Name | AFCAT 01/2026 |
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Application Start Date | November 10, 2025 |
| Mode of Application | Online at afcat.cdac.in |
| Application Fee | ₹550 (for all categories) |
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 2025 |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Selection Stages | Written Exam, SSB Interview, Document Verification, Medical Exam |
| Branches | Flying, Technical, and Ground Duty |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
AFCAT 01/2026 Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit: Candidates must be between 20 to 24 years as of January 1, 2026. For the Flying Branch, the upper age limit is relaxed in certain cases as per IAF rules.
Educational Qualification:
- Flying Branch / Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Graduation in any discipline with 50% marks from a recognized university.
- Ground Duty (Technical Branch): B.Tech/BE with at least 60% marks in relevant engineering disciplines.
AFCAT 2025 Application Process
Eligible candidates can apply for AFCAT 01/2026 by visiting afcat.cdac.in and following these steps:
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, educational, and contact details.
- Upload scanned copies of a recent photograph, signature, and marksheet.
- Pay the ₹550 application fee online through debit/credit card or net banking.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
AFCAT 2025 Selection Process
The AFCAT 01/2026 selection process consists of four major stages:
- Online Written Examination: The first stage tests candidates on General Awareness, English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude.
- SSB Interview: Qualified candidates are called for a five-day Service Selection Board (SSB) process, testing leadership, intelligence, and personality.
- Document Verification: Verification of academic and personal documents.
- Medical Examination: Conducted only at the Institute of Aviation Medicine (Bengaluru) or Air Force Central Medical Establishment (New Delhi).
AFCAT 2025 Salary Structure and Allowances
The Indian Air Force offers an attractive pay scale and benefits for its officers:
- Flying Officer: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month
- Squadron Leader: ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200
- Wing Commander: ₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400
- Group Captain: ₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900
- Air Marshal: Up to ₹2,25,000
- Chief of Air Staff (CAS): ₹2,50,000 per month
Additional perks include Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, Flying Pay, Medical Benefits, Pension, and other service privileges.
AFCAT 2025 Exam Centres and Medical Test Locations
The AFCAT 2025 exam will be conducted across major Indian cities, with medical tests conducted only at:
- Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM), Bengaluru
- Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), New Delhi
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| When will the AFCAT 2025 registration begin? |
| AFCAT 2025 registration will begin on November 10, 2025. |
| What is the age limit for AFCAT 01/2026? |
| Candidates must be between 20 and 24 years old as of January 1, 2026. |
| What is the AFCAT 2025 application fee? |
| The application fee for all categories is ₹550. |
| What are the stages of AFCAT 2025 selection? |
| Written exam, SSB interview, document verification, and medical examination. |
| What is the total marks and duration of the AFCAT exam? |
| The exam carries 300 marks and lasts 2 hours. |
| Where will the medical examination be held? |
| At IAM Bengaluru and AFCME New Delhi. |
| What is the salary of an Indian Air Force Flying Officer? |
| A Flying Officer earns between ₹56,100 and ₹1,77,500 per month. |
| Where can I apply for AFCAT 2025? |
| Candidates can apply online at the official website afcat.cdac.in. |
The AFCAT 2025 notification (AFCAT 01/2026) provides a golden opportunity for graduates and engineers to join the Indian Air Force as commissioned officers in various branches. Candidates must carefully read the eligibility conditions and apply online before the deadline. Stay updated by visiting the official website afcat.cdac.in regularly and bookmark this page for future updates regarding exam dates, admit cards, and results, for more details CLICK HERE
