The Indian Air Force (IAF) has opened applications for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2026. Both men and women graduates who want a career as officers in the IAF can apply at afcat.edcil.co.in before the last date of June 19, 2026. Registration opened on May 20, 2026.
This recruitment cycle offers approximately 379 officer-level vacancies across three branches. AFCAT is conducted twice every year and remains one of the most respected pathways to a commissioned officer career in India’s defence forces.
Branches Available Under AFCAT 02/2026
- Flying Branch — requires graduation with minimum 60 percent marks in Physics and Maths at Class 12 level
- Ground Duty Technical Branch — Engineering or Technology degree required
- Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch — Any graduation with minimum 60 percent marks
Age Eligibility
- Flying Branch: Between 20 and 24 years of age as of January 1, 2027
- Ground Duty Branches: Age limits vary; details in the official notification at afcat.edcil.co.in
Final-year graduation students with no active backlog and minimum 60 percent in completed semesters can also apply. They must submit proof of degree completion by May 30, 2027.
Application Fee
- AFCAT Entry: Rs 550 plus 18 percent GST (non-refundable)
- NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry: No application fee
Salary and Benefits After Selection
Selected officers receive a starting pay of Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500 per month under the 7th Pay Commission scales, along with flying allowance (for Flying Branch officers), kit maintenance allowance, government accommodation, medical benefits, and pension.
AFCAT Exam Pattern
The AFCAT written exam is computer-based and covers General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude. The paper has 100 questions worth 300 marks with 1 mark negative marking per wrong answer. Candidates who qualify the written test appear for an Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview, which includes psychological tests, group tasks, and a personal interview.
The Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) has been discontinued from 2025 onwards, making AFCAT preparation simpler and more focused for technical branch applicants.
