AFCAT 01/2026 Notification Out for 340 Officer Posts – Apply Online

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the AFCAT 01/2026 notification to recruit 340 officers across the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) and NCC Special Entry categories. The online application process begins on November 17, 2025, and will remain open until December 14, 2025 on the official portal afcat.edcil.co.in.

Offering an attractive pay scale of ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 with Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500, AFCAT remains one of India’s most sought-after defence recruitment examinations for young graduates and engineers.

AFCAT 01/2026 – Quick Summary Table

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies by branch:

Flying Branch

• Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, OR
• BE/B.Tech degree
• Age: 20 to 24 years (born between 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2007)
• CPL holders: upper age limit 26 years (born between 02 Jan 2001 – 01 Jan 2007)

Ground Duty (Technical)

• BE/B.Tech in relevant engineering disciplines
• Age: 20 to 26 years

Ground Duty (Non-Technical)

• Graduation/PG in fields like Administration, Accounts, Logistics, Education
• Age: 20 to 26 years

NCC Special Entry

• NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate
• No written exam; direct AFSB Testing

Salary Structure

• Flying Officer Pay Matrix: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500
• Level: 10
• MSP: ₹15,500
  Additional benefits include flying allowance (for eligible branches), TA, DA, medical facilities, canteen, accommodation and retirement benefits.

Application Fee

• AFCAT Entry: ₹550 + GST (non-refundable)
• NCC Special Entry: No fee

Important Dates

• Online Registration Start: 17 November 2025
• Last Date to Apply: 14 December 2025
• AFCAT Exam Date: 31 January 2026

Selection Process

The AFCAT selection process includes:

1. AFCAT Written Examination (Except NCC Special Entry)

All candidates applying through AFCAT Entry must qualify the written test.

2. AFSB Testing

Stage-I (Screening Test)

• Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
• Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT)
• Document verification after Stage-I

Candidates failing Stage-I are sent back the same day.

Stage-II (5 Days)

• Psychological Tests
• Group Tests
• Personal Interview

3. CPSS (Only for Flying Branch)

• Computerised Pilot Selection System
• Conducted only once in a lifetime
• Candidates who have previously failed CPSS/PABT are ineligible

Final Merit List

Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks in:

• Written Exam, and
• AFSB Tests

Merit is based on total marks from both.
10% of vacancies in Ground Duty (Tech/Non-Tech) are reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate Air Wing candidates.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

The AFCAT 01/2026 recruitment offers a prestigious opportunity for Indian youth to join the Indian Air Force as commissioned officers. With vacancies across Flying, Technical and Non-Technical branches, interested candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and submit their applications before December 14, 2025. For updated notifications, admit card dates and syllabus details, visit the official AFCAT portal and bookmark this page for future reference.

MORE INFO