AFCAT 2026: Exam Dates, Eligibility & Apply Online
The AFCAT 1 2026 notification has been released, offering 340 vacancies for courses starting in January 2027. The application process began on November 17, 2025, and the last date to apply online is December 14, 2025. The AFCAT 1 exam is scheduled for January 31, 2026, from 10 am to 12 noon. Admit cards will be available in the third week of January 2026. Following the written exam, the AFSB interview process is expected to take place between March and April 2026. The exam includes branches such as Flying and Ground Duty, both Technical and Non-Technical, each with specific age and eligibility criteria.
The AFCAT exam assesses candidates in General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude. Selected candidates will begin their course in January 2027.
Table of Contents
What is AFCAT ?
The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducts the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) to select young Indian citizens for Group “A” Gazetted Officer roles in the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches.
AFCAT 2026 refers to the upcoming exam cycle. Registration has already started, and this is your opportunity to apply. If selected, you may begin training in January 2027.
AFCAT 2026 Dates and Application Process
The online application for AFCAT 1 2026 started on November 10, 2025 (some reports mention November 17, 2025).
The last date to submit the application is December 14, 2025.
The AFCAT 1 exam is scheduled for January 31, 2026. Admit cards will be released on January 22, 2026.
Training for candidates who qualify will commence in January 2027 at the Air Force Academy.
To apply, visit the official AFCAT portal (usually afcat.cdac.in or afcat.edcil.co.in). Fill out the application form, upload the required documents such as Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, a recent photograph, signature, Aadhaar details, and contact information. Complete the fee payment and submit the form before the final date.
AFCAT 2026 Application Form
Although the exact dates will be announced by IAF, based on past trends:
AFCAT 1 2026 Form Release: December 2025
AFCAT 2 2026 Form Release: June 2026
Application Window: Usually open for 30–35 days.
How to Fill the AFCAT 2026 Application Form (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Online Registration
Go to the official AFCAT website and create a new account using your email ID, mobile number, and basic personal information.
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
Enter your personal information, educational details, and select your preferred branches such as Flying, Technical, or Non-Technical.
Step 3: Upload Required Documents
Upload a clear and recent passport-size photograph and your signature in the specified format.
Step 4: Pay the Application Fee
The expected fee is ₹550 plus GST.
Payment can be made using a debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking.
Step 5: Download the Confirmation Page
After successful submission, download and save the confirmation page and payment receipt for future use.
AFCAT 2026 Exam Fee (Expected)
General, OBC, SC, ST and all other categories: ₹550 plus GST
No category-based fee exemptions are available.
Important Guidelines
Use your own email ID and mobile number while registering.
Enter all details exactly as they appear on your Class 10 certificate.
Check spelling, date of birth, and academic scores carefully before submitting.
Make sure the uploaded photo is clear and recent.
Keep your login information safe because you will need it to download the admit card later.
Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT 2026
Below is a clear overview of the key eligibility requirements for AFCAT 2026.
✔️ Nationality
The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
Age and Educational Qualifications
| Branch | Age Limit (2026) | Minimum Educational Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 years. Age limit can be extended to 26 years for candidates who hold a valid DGCA-issued Commercial Pilot License. | A graduation degree of at least three years with 60% marks and Physics and Mathematics at the 10 2 level. Candidates with a BE or B.Tech degree with 60% marks are also eligible. |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 20 to 26 years | A four-year Engineering or Technology degree, or an equivalent qualification such as AMIE or Aeronautical Society, with the required marks. |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 20 to 26 years | A graduation degree in any discipline with the required percentage. Some branches such as Accounts, Administration, Education, and Meteorology may have specific subject requirements. |
Other Conditions
Both male and female candidates can apply.
Marital status requirements may apply for younger candidates. As per previous criteria, candidates below a certain age may need to be unmarried at the time of course commencement.
Physical and medical fitness is mandatory. Specific standards for height, eyesight, and overall fitness apply, especially for Flying and Technical branches.
Final-year students of graduation or engineering programs may also be eligible, provided they meet all conditions at the time of joining.
AFACT Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Written Test (Common for most candidates)
Mode: Online (computer-based)
Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
Total Questions: 100 objective-type questions
Total Marks: 300
Sections included:
General Awareness
Verbal Ability in English
Numerical Ability
Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test
Marking Scheme:
Candidates receive 3 marks for each correct answer and –1 mark for each incorrect answer. No marks are given for questions that are not attempted.
Since the exam can be conducted in multiple shifts, a normalisation process is used to balance out any variation in difficulty levels across shifts to maintain fairness.
For Technical Candidates: Additional Test
Candidates applying for the Ground Duty Technical branch must also take the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).
Duration: 45 minutes
Total Questions: 50
Subject Areas: Mechanical, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics (based on the candidate's discipline)
Negative Marking: –1 mark for every incorrect answer.
AFACT Cut off 2026
Based on the pattern of the past few years and the expected difficulty level, the projected cut off for 2026 is:
AFCAT 1 2026 (Expected)
140 – 150 marks out of 300
AFCAT 2 2026 (Expected)
145 – 155 marks out of 300
These numbers may change once the official notification and exam analysis are out, but they provide a strong benchmark for your preparation.
Previous Year Cut Off Trends
Here’s a quick look at AFCAT cut offs from recent years:
| Year | AFCAT 1 | AFCAT 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 150 (expected) | 155 (expected) |
| 2024 | 157 | 151 |
| 2023 | 155 | 153 |
| 2022 | 157 | 157 |
Trend: Cut offs usually stay between 150–160, depending on the question paper’s toughness.
AFCAT Salary
After completing your training at the Air Force Academy (AFA), you are commissioned as a Flying Officer.
Basic Pay (Level 10): ₹56,100 per month
This is the starting salary applicable to all officers after commissioning.
Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 per month
This amount is given to all defence officers because of the special nature of military service.
Approximate In-hand Salary: ₹85,000 to ₹95,000 per month
This range includes basic pay, MSP, DA, and various other allowances.
Allowances for AFCAT Officers
Your in-hand salary increases a lot because the Indian Air Force provides several allowances. Some of the major ones are:
1. Flying Allowance
Given to officers in the Flying Branch.
Amount: ₹11,250 per month
2. Technical Allowance
Given to officers in the Technical Branch.
Amount: ₹3,000 to ₹4,500 per month
3. Dearness Allowance (DA)
Revised twice a year.
Rises according to inflation.
4. Transport Allowance
Amount varies based on the city category.
Usually between ₹3,600 and ₹7,200 per month.
5. Ration, Dress and Travel Allowances
These are extra benefits that help support daily expenses.
Career Growth after AFCAT
An AFCAT officer enjoys a structured career with regular promotions:
| Rank | Approx. Service Duration |
|---|---|
| Flying Officer | On commissioning |
| Flight Lieutenant | 2 years |
| Squadron Leader | 6 years |
| Wing Commander | 13 years |
| Group Captain | 26 years |
| Air Commodore & above | Based on selection |
Higher ranks come with increased salary, allowances, and prestigious responsibilities.
AFCAT FAQs
In general, AFCAT is considered easier than the NDA exam because AFCAT has a simpler syllabus, moderate difficulty level, and is conducted for graduates, while NDA is for 12th-pass students and includes tougher Mathematics and General Ability sections along with SSB later. However, selection in both exams ultimately depends on your preparation, accuracy, and performance in the SSB interview.
The salary for candidates selected through AFCAT varies by branch and rank, but a newly commissioned Flying Officer (the entry-level rank) in the Indian Air Force receives a monthly salary of approximately ₹56,100, along with allowances such as flying allowance (for pilots), technical allowance, military service pay, dearness allowance, and other field or travel benefits. Overall, the total in-hand salary and perks can significantly increase the compensation, making AFCAT jobs financially attractive along with offering strong career growth and additional non-monetary benefits.
No, a 12th-pass candidate cannot apply for AFCAT. The minimum eligibility for all AFCAT branches—Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical)—is a graduation degree with required marks and subject combinations. However, students who are currently in the final year of their graduation are allowed to apply, provided they meet all other criteria at the time of joining.
No, you cannot apply for AFCAT without completing graduation. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum mandatory qualification for all AFCAT branches—Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical). However, candidates in the final year of graduation are eligible to apply, provided they can present proof of passing before the training begins.
The best degree for AFCAT depends on the branch you want to join, but generally, any graduate degree from a recognized university with 60% marks is accepted for the Flying and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches, while Engineering/Technical degrees (like B.Tech/B.E. in relevant fields) are required for Ground Duty (Technical) posts. Popular and beneficial choices include B.Tech, B.Sc (Physics/Maths), BBA, B.Com, BA, and Bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science or IT. Ultimately, choose a degree that matches the AFCAT branch you aim for and aligns with your strengths.
Candidates are not eligible for AFCAT if they do not meet basic nationality, age, educational, or medical standards set by the Indian Air Force. This includes individuals who are not Indian citizens, those outside the prescribed age limits (20–24 years for Flying Branch and 20–26 years for Ground Duty), candidates who lack the required educational qualifications (such as not having the minimum marks or specific subjects), or those who fail medical or physical fitness standards. Additionally, people with a permanent commission in the Armed Forces, those married below 25 years of age (for Flying and Ground Duty branches), candidates with certain medical conditions, or those previously debarred by the Ministry of Defence are also not eligible to apply.