Indian Air Force has released the AFCAT 02/2026 recruitment notification! Check eligibility, age limit, and selection process.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially released the short notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2026 batch. Published on May 12, 2026, this recruitment drive is a premier gateway for both men and women to join the IAF as Class-I Gazetted Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches.
With approximately 142+ vacancies announced for courses commencing in July 2027, aspiring air warriors must prepare to navigate a rigorous selection process. Below is the complete roadmap for the AFCAT 2 2026 recruitment, including eligibility, important dates, and the selection journey.
AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Entry Type | AFCAT Entry / NCC Special Entry |
| Total Vacancies | 142+ (Tentative) |
| Notification Date | May 12, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | May 20, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | June 19, 2026 |
| Exam Date | August 2026 (Expected) |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
Eligibility Criteria: Do You Qualify?
Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the specific age and educational requirements for their chosen branch.
1. Age Limit (as of July 1, 2027)
- Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years (Born between July 2, 2003, and July 1, 2007).
- Relaxable up to 26 years for those holding a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot License.
- Ground Duty (Tech/Non-Tech): 20 to 26 years (Born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2007).
2. Educational Qualification
- Flying Branch: Graduation in any discipline with minimum 60% marks, and must have passed Maths and Physics at 10+2 level (with 50% marks in each). Alternatively, a B.E./B.Tech degree with 60% marks.
- Ground Duty (Technical): 4-year Engineering/Technology degree with 60% marks. Candidates must have 60% in Physics and Maths at the 10+2 level.
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Graduate degree in any discipline (for Admin/Logistics) or B.Com/Post-Graduation (for Accounts/Education) with a minimum of 60% marks.
Selection Process: The Road to AFA
The journey to the Air Force Academy (AFA) involves three major hurdles:
- Written Examination: An online objective test consisting of 100 questions (300 marks) covering English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning/Military Aptitude.
- Note: Technical branch candidates must also appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).
- AFSB Interview: Candidates who clear the written cut-off are called for a 5-day interview process at an Air Force Selection Board (Dehradun, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, Mysuru, or Guwahati). This includes:
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and PPDT.
- Stage II: Psychological tests, Group tasks, and Personal Interview.
- Medical Examination: A comprehensive medical fitness check-up at specialized Air Force medical centers.
- Final Merit List: Prepared based on performance in both the written exam and the AFSB interview.
How to Apply Online for AFCAT 2 2026
The application link will be active from May 20, 2026 (11:00 AM).
- Register: Visit afcat.cdac.in and click on “Candidate Login.”
- Fill Details: Complete the registration using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Upload Documents: You will need a scanned photograph, signature, and left thumb impression.
- Payment: The application fee is ₹550 (plus GST) for all categories. NCC Special Entry candidates are exempt from this fee.
- Final Submission: Save the confirmation page for future reference.
