AFCAT 02/2026 — Indian Air Force Officer Recruitment for Flying & Ground Duty Branches
The Indian Air Force has released the AFCAT 02/2026 Short Notice inviting Indian unmarried citizens (Men & Women) to take the Air Force Common Admission Test for courses commencing in the first week of July 2027 at Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad). The notification opens entries into Flying Branch (SSC), Ground Duty Technical (PC/SSC), Ground Duty Non-Technical (SSC), NCC Special Entry (Flying) and GATE Score Entry (Ground Duty Technical). Total declared vacancies in the short notice are 138 (35 AFCAT Flying + 103 GDNT), with Ground Duty Technical numbers to be released in the detailed notification.
This is one of the most prestigious recruitments of the year — a chance to wear the Flying Officer uniform of the Indian Air Force with starting pay of Rs 56,100 plus MSP Rs 15,500 in Pay Level 10. The online application window is open from 20 May 2026 (11:00 hrs) to 19 June 2026 (23:30 hrs) at afcat.edcil.co.in. If you’re looking at defence officer jobs, this is the dream notification.
Key Highlights — AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment
The Air Force Common Admission Test is the gateway for direct officer entry into the IAF for both Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC). AFCAT 02/2026 is the second cycle of the year and feeds the July 2027 training intake. Selected officers undergo 62 weeks of training (Flying / GD Technical) or 52 weeks (GD Non-Technical) at AFA Dundigal and are commissioned as Flying Officers.
- Organisation: Indian Air Force, Ministry of Defence
- Exam Name: Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2026
- Total Vacancies (declared): 138 + Ground Duty Technical (TBD in detailed notification)
- Course Commencement: First week of July 2027
- Rank on Commissioning: Flying Officer
- Pay Scale: Pay Level 10 — Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500 + MSP Rs 15,500 + allowances
- Application Window: 20 May 2026 to 19 June 2026
- Application Fee: Rs 550 + GST (AFCAT Entry); FREE for NCC & GATE entries
Vacancy Breakdown — AFCAT 02/2026
| Branch / Entry | Men + Women Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch (SSC) | 30 Men + 5 Women | 35 |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical (SSC) | 78 Men + 25 Women | 103 |
| Ground Duty Technical (AFCAT + GATE) | — | To be declared |
| NCC Special Entry (Flying) | — | 10% of CDSE PC + 10% of AFCAT SSC |
| Declared Total | 108 Men + 30 Women | 138 |
Ground Duty Non-Technical breakdown (Men SSC : Women SSC): Administration — 50:12, Weapon Systems (WS) — 21:5, Logistics — 4:2, Accounts — 1:2, Education — 1:2, Meteorology — 1:2. Two seats are reserved for Law-qualified candidates within GDNT vacancies.
Vacancies are tentative and may change. Ground Duty (Technical) numbers will be published in the detailed notification on afcat.edcil.co.in.
Eligibility Criteria — AFCAT 02/2026
Educational Qualification
Branch-wise minimum percentages and stream restrictions are published in the detailed notification on the official AFCAT website. Broad outline:
- Flying Branch: Graduation in any discipline with minimum 60% + Maths and Physics at 10+2 (minimum 50%) OR BE / B.Tech with minimum 60%.
- Ground Duty (Technical) — Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) & Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical): BE / B.Tech in specified engineering streams with minimum 60% (or specified GATE score).
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Graduation / Post Graduation in specified disciplines with minimum 60% (varies by sub-branch — Admin, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology, WS).
Refer to the detailed notification for the exact percentage and stream list per branch. Engineering graduates eligible for Ground Duty Technical can browse more openings here.
Age Limit (as on 1 July 2027)
- Flying Branch: 20 – 24 years (DOB between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2007). CPL holders of DGCA may avail relaxation up to 26 years (DOB between 02 July 2001 and 01 July 2007).
- Ground Duty Technical & Non-Technical (AFCAT + GATE): 20 – 26 years (DOB between 02 July 2001 and 01 July 2007).
Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course. Marriage during training is not permitted — a candidate who marries during training shall be discharged and liable to refund all expenditure incurred by the Government.
What is the Salary for AFCAT 02/2026 Officers?
Selected candidates are commissioned as Flying Officers in Pay Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission Matrix.
- Starting Basic Pay: Rs 56,100 per month
- Pay Scale Range: Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500
- Military Service Pay (MSP): Rs 15,500 per month
- Flight Cadet Stipend (during training): Rs 56,100 fixed per month for the 1-year training period at AFA Dundigal
Plus allowances — Flying Allowance, Technical Allowance, Transport Allowance, Test Pilot & Flight Test Engineer Allowance, Risk & Hardship Allowance and other allowances based on branch, nature of duty, and place of posting.
Perks include furnished accommodation, comprehensive medical cover for self and dependents, canteen and Officers’ Mess facilities, subsidised loans, LTC, 60 days annual + 20 days casual leave, mandatory insurance cover of Rs 1.25 Crore via AFGIS, post-retirement Air Veterans Insurance Cover (AVIC), and adventure sports — sky diving, micro-light flying, mountaineering, water rafting.
What is the Selection Process for AFCAT 02/2026?
AFCAT follows a rigorous 4-stage selection process:
- Online AFCAT Examination — Computer-based at various centres across India. EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) is additionally conducted for Ground Duty (Technical) candidates appearing through AFCAT.
- AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) Interview — held at Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar or Varanasi. Includes Officer Intelligence Rating, Psychological Tests, Group Tests, and Personal Interview.
- Medical Examination — strict IAF medical standards.
- Merit List Preparation & joining at Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad) for 62 / 52 weeks of training.
Detailed AFCAT exam pattern (English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude — typically 100 questions, 300 marks, 2 hours, 1/3 negative marking) is in the detailed notification. You can refer to the official AFCAT syllabus and previous papers guidance for preparation.
How to Apply Online for AFCAT 02/2026?
- Visit the official portal at afcat.edcil.co.in between 20 May 2026 (11:00 hrs) and 19 June 2026 (23:30 hrs).
- Click New Registration and create your candidate profile with active email and mobile number — these will be the primary communication channels throughout the selection process.
- Fill the online application form completely. Information filled is treated as final — no amendments are allowed subsequently. Be especially careful with date of birth and category.
- Upload scanned copies of recent passport-size photograph, signature, and applicable certificates as per the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee — Rs 550 + GST for AFCAT Entry (no fee for NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry).
- Candidates eligible for more than one entry must register separately for each entry.
- Submit the application and download the printout for your records.
Aadhaar Card is mandatory for registration. Keep your PAN Card and SBI / Nationalised Bank account details ready — both are required at the time of joining AFA.
Important Dates — AFCAT 02/2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Start | 20 May 2026 (11:00 hrs) |
| Online Registration Close | 19 June 2026 (23:30 hrs) |
| Age Cut-off | 01 July 2027 |
| Course Commencement | First week of July 2027 |
Application Fees — AFCAT 02/2026
| Entry Route | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Rs 550 + GST (non-refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry (Flying) | No Fee |
| GATE Score Entry (GD Technical) | No Fee |
Payment is online only. Travel reimbursement (2nd class fare AC-III Tier / AC Chair Car / actual bus fare by shortest route) is admissible for first-time candidates appearing at AFSB.
Essential Links — AFCAT 02/2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online for AFCAT 02/2026
- Visit Indian Air Force Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
Becoming an officer in the Indian Air Force is a life-changing opportunity — uniform, pride, pay, and adventure all together. Start your AFCAT preparation now, double-check your eligibility against the detailed notification when it drops, and apply between 20 May and 19 June 2026. For more latest defence officer entry notifications and AFCAT updates, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in every day.