Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026, The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official notification for AFCAT 02/2026 recruitment to fill 379 Commissioned Officer vacancies in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branches. Eligible unmarried male and female candidates can apply online through the AFCAT portal for courses commencing in July 2027.
Recruitment Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Exam Name | AFCAT 02/2026 |
| Post Type | Commissioned Officer |
| Total Vacancies | 379 Posts |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Job Location | Across India |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 19 June 2026 |
| AFCAT Online Exam Date | 08 August 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | From 04 August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
Vacancy Details
AFCAT Entry
| Branch | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 35 |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 211 |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 106 |
GATE Score Entry (Technical)
| Branch | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) | 18 |
| Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) | 9 |
Total Vacancies
379 Posts
Educational Qualification
Flying Branch
- Graduate Degree in any discipline with minimum 60% marks and Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level,
OR - BE/B.Tech Degree with minimum 60% marks.
Ground Duty (Technical)
- BE/B.Tech Degree in relevant Engineering disciplines with minimum 60% marks.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical)
- Graduation/Post Graduation in relevant disciplines with minimum 60% marks.
Age Limit
Flying Branch
- 20 to 24 years as on 01 July 2027.
- Upper age limit relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence.
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical)
- 20 to 26 years as on 01 July 2027.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | ₹550 + GST |
| NCC Special Entry | No Fee |
| GATE Score Entry | No Fee |
Selection Process
The selection process includes:
- AFCAT Online Examination
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
- Final Merit List
Candidates applying through the GATE Score Entry for Technical Branch may be shortlisted using valid GATE scores and exempted from the AFCAT written examination.
AFCAT Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | Included |
| Verbal Ability in English | Included |
| Numerical Ability | Included |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | Included |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
Negative marking is applicable for wrong answers.
Salary
Selected candidates will receive pay under the Defence Pay Matrix:
- Starting Pay: ₹56,100/- per month
- Additional Military Service Pay, Flying Allowance and other benefits as applicable.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official AFCAT application portal.
- Complete registration using email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, educational and branch preference details.
- Upload photograph, signature and required documents.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the application form.
- Download and print the confirmation page.
Important Links of Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026
| Online Application Form | Click Here |
| Advertisement Details | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs of Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026
1. How many vacancies are available in AFCAT 02/2026?
A total of 379 vacancies have been announced.
2. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date to submit the online application form is 19 June 2026.
3. When will the AFCAT 02/2026 exam be conducted?
The AFCAT online examination will be held on 08 August 2026.
4. Who can apply for the Flying Branch?
Graduates with minimum 60% marks and Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level, or BE/B.Tech graduates, can apply.
5. What is the age limit for the Flying Branch?
Candidates should be between 20 and 24 years as on 01 July 2027.
6. What is the age limit for Ground Duty Branches?
Candidates should be between 20 and 26 years as on 01 July 2027.
7. Is there any application fee?
Yes. AFCAT Entry candidates must pay ₹550 plus GST, while NCC Special Entry and GATE Entry applicants are exempted.
8. What is the selection process for AFCAT Recruitment 2026?
Selection is based on AFCAT Exam, AFSB Interview, Medical Test and Merit List.
9. Can engineering graduates apply through GATE Score Entry?
Yes. Eligible engineering graduates with valid GATE scores can apply for Technical Branch entries and may be exempted from the AFCAT written test.
10. What is the starting salary after selection?
The starting pay is ₹56,100 per month along with allowances and benefits
