AFCAT 01/2026 Notification: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official AFCAT 01/2026 Notification inviting online applications from Indian citizens (men and women) to join as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches. The courses will commence in January 2027.
Eligible candidates can apply online from 17 November 2025 (11:00 AM) to 14 December 2025 (11:30 PM) through the official AFCAT website afcat.cdac.in.
AFCAT 01/2026 Vacancy Details
| Entry | Branch | Men | Women | Type of Commission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 34 (SSC) | 04 (SSC) | Short Service Commission |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | AE(L) – 103, AE(M) – 47 | AE(L) – 26, AE(M) – 12 | Permanent & Short Service Commission |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Various branches (Admin, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology) | Both PC & SSC | ||
| NCC Special Entry | Flying Branch | 10% seats from AFCAT/ CDSE vacancies | ||
AFCAT 01/2026 Notification Eligibility Criteria
1. Nationality
Candidate must be an Indian citizen as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
2. Age Limit (as on 01 January 2027)
| Branch | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 years (born between 02 January 2003 and 01 January 2007) |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) | 20 to 26 years (born between 02 January 2001 and 01 January 2007) |
| CPL Holders (DGCA License) | Up to 26 years |
3. Educational Qualification
- Flying Branch: 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics and Graduation (minimum 60%) or B.E./B.Tech.
- Ground Duty (Technical): Engineering degree in Electronics/Mechanical streams with minimum 60% marks.
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Graduate degree (minimum 60%) in any discipline. For Accounts – B.Com/Finance; for Education – PG with 50% marks.
AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026
| Paper | Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT | General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude | 100 | 300 | 2 Hours |
| EKT (for Technical Branch) | Mechanical, Computer Science, Electrical & Electronics | 50 | 150 | 45 Minutes |
Note: There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer.
AFCAT 01/2026 Notification Application Fees
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| All Candidates (AFCAT Entry) | ₹550 + GST |
| NCC Special Entry | Nil |
AFCAT 01/2026 Notification Important Dates
| Notification Release Date | 10 November 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 17 November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 14 December 2025 |
| AFCAT Exam Date | 31 January 2026 |
| Course Commencement | January 2027 |
How to Apply for AFCAT 01/2026
- Visit the official AFCAT portal: https://afcat.cdac.in.
- Click on “AFCAT 01/2026 – Apply Online”.
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in the online form carefully and select your branch preferences.
- Upload your documents, photograph, and signature.
- Pay the application fee online via debit/credit card or net banking.
- Submit and take a printout of the confirmation page.
AFCAT 01/2026 Notification Application Links
| Portal | Link |
|---|---|
| Official AFCAT Website | https://afcat.cdac.in |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here to Download PDF |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the AFCAT 01/2026 application date?
The application window is open from 17 November 2025 to 14 December 2025.
2. What is the exam date for AFCAT 01/2026?
The AFCAT 01/2026 exam will be conducted on 31 January 2026 (Saturday).
3. What is the application fee for AFCAT 01/2026?
₹550 plus GST for AFCAT entry. No fee for NCC Special Entry candidates.
4. Can women apply for AFCAT 2026?
Yes, both men and women can apply for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) branches.
5. What is the educational qualification for AFCAT Flying Branch?
Graduation (minimum 60%) in any discipline with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or BE/B.Tech degree.
6. Where can I apply for AFCAT 01/2026?
Apply online only through the official website https://afcat.cdac.in.
For detailed instructions and updates, visit the official Indian Air Force AFCAT portal.
