AFCAT 1 2026 Notification Out For 340 Posts, Check Eligibility and Application

The Indian Air Force has announced the AFCAT 1 2026 notification for recruiting Commissioned Officers in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. The online registration has started on the official website from 17 November 2025. Candidates can visit afcat.edcil.co.in to access the official notification and review details regarding eligibility, vacancies, selection stages, exam pattern, training process, and important dates.

AFCAT 2 2026 Notification Out

The notification for the AFCAT 2 Exam 2026 has been released and it includes important details such as eligibility criteria, selection process, vacancy details, application procedure and more. For the ease of the candidates, we have provided the direct link to download the notification PDF in the given article.

 AFCAT 2 Notification 2026 - Download PDF

AFCAT 2 Exam

The Air Force Common Admission Test is a national-level entrance exam which conducted every year to recruit eligible candidates for the course. Millions of candidates appear in the AFCAT Exam every year, but only a few are selected for the AFCAT course. The Selection of Candidates will be based on various stages, such as written examination, AFSB Test and Medical Examination, etc. To get more details about this exam, candidates can take an overview from the table given below.

Important Dates For AFCAT 1 Exam 2026

The detailed AFCAT 2026 Notification PDF has been released along with the registration schedule. Candidates are advised to note these important dates carefully to ensure they don’t miss any deadlines.

AFCAT 1 2026 Vacancy Details

As per the latest notice, the IAF has announced a total of 340 vacancies, which are to be filled by conducting the written examination and other stages through eligible candidates. For the ease of the candidates, we have also provided the vacancy-related detailed information in the table given below.

Eligibility Criteria For AFCAT 1 2026 Exam

Before applying for the short service commission posts such as Flying and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branch, candidates must ensure their AFCAT Eligibility Criteria in terms of age limit and educational qualification. If any candidate who will apply for these posts without fulfilling the criteria, then the application is rejected by the exam authority immediately. Candidates from the given article can check the criteria details that is essential for every candidate to meet.

1. Nationality- Must be a citizen of India.
2. Age Limit
3. Educational Qualification

AFCAT 1 2026 Age Limit

For candidates' convenience, we have provided post-wise age limit criteria in the article. To get the details about the age limit can refer to the given article.

• Flying Branch: Candidates must be at least 20 years old, and the maximum age limit is 24 years. However, those holding a valid Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) can get age relaxation up to 26 years.
• Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) Branches: The age of the applicant must be between 20 and 26 years.

Important Note: Candidates under 25 years of age must be unmarried when the course begins. Also, widows, widowers, and divorcees under 25 are not eligible to apply.

Educational Qualification For AFCAT 1

The Indian Air Force has prescribed certain educational qualifications for candidates applying for AFCAT 1 2026. Those willing to join the Indian Air Force through the AFCAT 2 Exam must meet these educational standards.

AFCAT 1 2026 Online Application Form

The AFCAT 1 2026 Online Application Form has been activated on 17th November at the official Indian Air Force website for candidates aiming to join as commissioned officers in the Flying and Ground Duty branches. Interested applicants should carefully complete the form, upload all necessary documents. It’s essential to check the eligibility requirements and follow the official instructions to avoid errors.

AFCAT 1 Apply Online 2026 Link - (Active)​

AFCAT Application Fee

While applying for the AFCAT 1 for Short Service Commission in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches, the candidate must deposit the application fee on the official IAF portal. The application fee can be paid a debit card, credit card or any other mode. Without this, the application form is rejected by the exam authority. To know more application fee details, candidates can refer to the table.

How to Apply Online for AFCAT 1 2026Exam?

If you are confused in applying online them you can follow these steps to apply online for the AFCAT 1 Notification 2026.

Step 1: Registration

1. Visit the official website or click on the link provided below.
2. On the homepage, click on "New User Register".
3. Enter your mobile number and email ID to register.
4. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number and email. Enter the OTP and click on "Submit".
5. After successful registration, a Login ID and Password will be sent to your registered mobile number and email ID.

Step 2: Login and Application Submission

1. Log in using your Registration Number and Password.
2. Select the post you wish to apply for and fill in all the required details, including educational qualifications.
3. Pay the application fee online using a Credit/Debit Card or Internet Banking.
4. Upload your scanned color photograph and signature (in JPEG format) in English or Hindi.
5. Log in again to upload other required documents and certificates.
6. Review and submit your application.
7. Take a printout of the acknowledgement for future reference.

AFCAT  Salary Details

The salary for a Flying Officer under AFCAT ranges from INR 56,100 to INR 1,77,500 per month. This includes basic pay along with additional allowances like Military Service Pay, Dearness Allowance, and compensations for high-risk or remote postings.

AFCAT 2 Notification Selection Process

The selection process for AFCAT 1 2026 is a multi-faceted assessment designed to evaluate candidates' capabilities through various stages. Here’s a detailed overview of each step involved:

1. Written Exam

The first stage is the written examination, which serves as an initial assessment of candidates' knowledge and aptitude. Key details include:

Format: Objective-type questions.
Subjects Covered:

1. General Awareness
2. Verbal Ability in English
3. Numerical Ability
4. Military Reasoning and Aptitude

Duration: 120 minutes to complete 100 questions.
Scoring:

1. 3 marks for each correct answer.
2. 1 mark deducted for incorrect answers.

Qualifying Marks: Candidates must score between 140 and 190 out of a total of 300.
Question Level: Generally at graduation level, except Numerical Ability, which is at Class 10 standard.

2. AFSB TEST

Candidates who succeed in the written exam will proceed to the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview. This phase evaluates suitability for service in the Indian Air Force.

Duration: Conducted over 5-6 days, consisting of two stages:
Stage 1:

1. Officer Intelligence Rating Test
2. Picture Perception and Discussion Test

Stage 2:

1. Psychological Tests
2. Group Tests
3. Personal Interview

PABT/ CPSS Test: For Flying Branch candidates, a Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test is required.
Locations: Interview centres are situated in Dehradun, Varanasi, Gandhinagar, Mysuru, and Guwahati.

3. Medical Examination

The final step in the selection process is the medical examination, which assesses candidates' physical fitness and overall health.

Eligibility: Only those recommended by the Selection Board will undergo this examination.
Locations: Conducted at either the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) in New Delhi or the Institute of Aviation Medicine in Bengaluru.
Health Assessment: The examination includes tests for vision, hearing, and physical fitness.
Physical Standards:

1. Running 1.6 km in 10 minutes.
2. Perform at least 10 push-ups.
3. Completing 3 chin-ups.

AFCAT 1 Exam Pattern

Understanding the exam pattern for AFCAT 2026 is essential for effective preparation. The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) evaluates candidates' knowledge and skills across multiple subjects. Below are the key components of the AFCAT exam. The AFCAT section comprises a total of 100 objective-type questions, which candidates must complete within a 120-minute timeframe. This section assesses abilities in four primary domains:

AFCAT Previous Year Questions

Practicing the AFCAT Previous Year Papers is essential for understanding the exam pattern, difficulty level, and types of questions asked in the AFCAT exam. AFCAT Previous Year Questions help candidates identify important topics and improve time management. Accessing these questions can significantly enhance preparation for the AFCAT 2026.

AFCAT 2 Exam Salary

Candidates selected through the AFCAT 1 Exam will receive a salary of ₹56,100 during their final year of training. After completing training, they will be appointed at Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission, with an AFCAT Salary ranging from ₹56,100 to ₹1,10,700, along with a Military Service Pay of ₹15,500. Additionally, officers in the Flying Branch will receive an extra ₹11,250 per month, while those in the Technical Branch will get ₹2,500 per month as allowance.

Apart from this, AFCAT 1 2026 offers a structured and attractive salary package to Air Force officers based on their rank and level, along with various allowances like TA, DA, Children Education Allowance, and Ration Money.