The Indian Air Force has officially released the detailed AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 for the recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Flying Branch as well as Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. The complete notification is now available on afcat.edcil.co.in, where candidates can read all important information before applying.
The notification explains the eligibility criteria, total vacancies, the selection process, exam pattern, training details, and all the important dates related to the exam. Candidates who are planning to appear for AFCAT 1 2026 should carefully go through the article below to understand every requirement clearly.
AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 Out
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the AFCAT 1 2026 Notification for recruitment to the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches with total 340 vacancies. The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is one of the most popular competitive exams among defence aspirants who dream of serving the nation as commissioned officers in the Indian Air Force.
AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 Overview
The overview section provides a summary of key details such as the conducting body, branches, course start date, and online application schedule for AFCAT 01/2026.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 1) 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Branches | Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) |
| Vacancy | 340 |
| Course Commencement | January 2027 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Application Start Date | 17 November 2025 (11:00 AM) (Active) |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 December 2025 (11:30 PM) |
| Official Website | afcat.edcil.co.in/ |
AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 PDF
The AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 PDF has been providing complete details regarding the recruitment process for the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches. Candidates are strongly advised to thoroughly read the AFCAT 1 2026 PDF before applying to ensure they meet all the required criteria and understand every guideline for AFCAT 01/2026. The detailed notification has been linked below for easy access.
Click Here to Download: AFCAT 1 2026 Notification 2025
AFCAT 1 2026 Apply Online 2025
The online application process for AFCAT 1 2026 has now started, allowing candidates to register and complete all required steps smoothly. Applicants should fill in and submit their forms carefully within the given timeline. The last date to apply is 14 December 2025 (23:30 hrs), and no applications will be accepted after this deadline. Candidates are strongly advised to complete their application well in advance to avoid any last-minute technical problems.
Click Here to Apply Online for AFCAT 1 2026
AFCAT 1 Vacancy 2026
The AFCAT 1 2026 notification announces vacancies across the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches, offering multiple opportunities for both men and women to join the Indian Air Force as commissioned officers. The openings are available under AFCAT Entry and NCC Special Entry, covering Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) roles. Below is the simplified vacancy distribution for AFCAT 01/2026.
| Entry Type | Branch | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) |
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | — | — | 34 | 4 |
| Ground Duty Technical (AE-L) | 3 | 3 | 100 | 23 | |
| Ground Duty Technical (AE-M) | 9 | 9 | 38 | 9 | |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | — | — | WS: 21 Admin: 18 Lgs: 9 Accts: 8 Edn: 2 Met: 1 |
WS: 5 Admin: 12 Lgs: 2 Accts: 2 Edn: 2 |
|
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 10% of CDSE vacancies (PC) | — | 10% of AFCAT vacancies (SSC) | — |
AFCAT 1 2026 Important Dates
The short notice of AFCAT 01/2026 mentions that the application process will begin shortly on the official portal. The detailed schedule, including the exam date, admit card release, and training timeline, will be updated once the official notification is released.
- Application Start Date: 17 November 2025 (11:00 AM)
- Application Last Date: 14 December 2025 (11:30 PM)
- Exam Date: 31 January 26 (Saturday).
- Exam Name: AFCAT 1 2026 / NCC Special Entry
- Course Commencement: January 2027
AFCAT 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for AFCAT 1 2026 must fulfill the eligibility criteria defined by the Indian Air Force. The eligibility varies depending on the branch — Flying or Ground Duty.
1. Nationality:
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The candidate must be a citizen of India.
2. Age Limit (as on 01 January 2027):
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Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years (born between 02 January 2003 and 01 January 2007)
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Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years (born between 02 January 2001 and 01 January 2007)
3. Educational Qualification:
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Flying Branch: Candidates must have passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics and hold a Graduation Degree (minimum 60% marks) or equivalent.
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Ground Duty (Technical): Must have a degree in Engineering or Technology from a recognized university.
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Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks.
AFCAT 1 2026 Application Process
The application for AFCAT 01/2026 will be accepted only through online mode on the official website of the Indian Air Force. Candidates should follow these steps once the link is activated:
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Visit the official website – https://afcat.edcil.co.in/
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Click on the “AFCAT 1 2026 Apply Online” link.
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Register with your email ID and mobile number.
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Fill in the required personal, academic, and communication details.
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Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and relevant certificates.
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Pay the required application fee (expected ₹550 including GST).
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Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
AFCAT 1 2026 Selection Process
The selection procedure for AFCAT 1 2026 consists of multiple stages to assess the candidates’ aptitude, intelligence, and personality traits.
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Online Written Examination (AFCAT)
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Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview
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Medical Examination
Candidates who qualify in all stages will be selected for training at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad.
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Pattern
The AFCAT written exam is conducted online and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 300 marks. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. Each correct answer is awarded +3 marks, while 1 mark is deducted for every wrong response.
Section-wise Distribution
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 20 | 60 |
| Verbal Ability in English | 30 | 90 |
| Numerical Ability | 15 | 45 |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | 35 | 105 |
| Total | 100 | 300 |
Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT)
Candidates applying for Technical Branch must appear for the EKT, which tests basic engineering knowledge.
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Number of Questions: 50
- Maximum Marks: 150
The EKT is conducted immediately after the AFCAT exam on the same day.
AFCAT 1 2026 Salary Structure
Candidates selected through AFCAT are commissioned as Flying Officers in the Indian Air Force.
- Rank: Flying Officer
- Pay Scale: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month (Level 10 of 7th CPC)
- Additional Benefits: MSP, Flying Allowance, Technical Allowance, and other admissible perks as per IAF rules.
The AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 opens a prestigious opportunity for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Air Force as officers. With the short notice now released, interested candidates should start preparing their documents and check the eligibility details carefully. The complete notification with the application link will soon be available on the official website afcat.edcil.co.in/
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