Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official AFCAT 02/2026 notification, inviting eligible Indian candidates to apply online for 379 vacancies for Commissioned Officers in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches. This is a Central Government permanent job with a monthly salary of ₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500. The last date to submit the online application is 19 June 2026.
The AFCAT 02/2026 recruitment is a golden opportunity for aspiring candidates to join the prestigious Indian Air Force. With a competitive selection process, this recruitment offers a challenging yet rewarding career path with excellent growth prospects and job satisfaction. Last year, lakhs of candidates applied for AFCAT, highlighting its popularity and the high level of competition. Securing a position in the Indian Air Force is a dream for many, offering a life of discipline, honor, and service to the nation.
The selection process for AFCAT 02/2026 involves multiple stages, including a written examination (AFCAT), followed by a Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. Candidates who successfully clear these stages will undergo a medical examination. The entire process is designed to identify candidates with the right aptitude, physical fitness, and mental resilience required for an air warrior.
| Event | Important Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 17 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 19 June 2026 |
| Last Date for Application Fee Payment | 19 June 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | Not Applicable |
| Admit Card Release Date | To Be Announced (usually 2-3 weeks before exam) |
| Exam Date | August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Result Declaration | To Be Announced |
The total number of vacancies for AFCAT 02/2026 is 379 posts, distributed as follows:
| Post Name | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | As per notification | As per notification | As per notification | As per notification | As per notification | 75 |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | As per notification | As per notification | As per notification | As per notification | As per notification | 138 |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | As per notification | As per notification | As per notification | As per notification | As per notification | 166 |
Note: The exact category-wise distribution for each branch will be released in the detailed notification.
Flying Branch: Candidates should have passed the Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level or equivalent. Candidates who are in the final year of their degree course are also eligible to apply, provided they produce their degree certificate by the stipulated date.
Ground Duty (Technical) Branch: Candidates should have completed a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate in each of the four year degree courses or basic B.Sc./B.Tech. from a recognized University.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch: Candidates should have passed the Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in all subjects.
Nationality: Indian Citizen.
Physical Standards: Candidates must meet the physical fitness standards prescribed for Air Force officers. Height, vision, and other medical parameters must be met as per the official notification.
Candidates selected for AFCAT 02/2026 will be appointed as Commissioned Officers and placed at Pay Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) pay matrix.
| Candidate Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| All Candidates (including SC/ST/OBC/EWS) | ₹550 |
| NCC Special Entry Scheme | Free |
| Accepted Payment Modes | Online: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI |
The selection of candidates for AFCAT 02/2026 will be done through a multi-stage process:
A final merit list will be prepared based on the performance in the AFCAT exam and the SSB interview.
| Section / Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 20 | 20 | 2 Hours | 1/3rd mark deducted for each incorrect answer |
| Verbal Ability in English | 20 | 20 | ||
| Numerical Ability | 20 | 20 | ||
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test | 25 | 25 | ||
| Total | 85 | 85 |
Note: For Flying Branch, EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) will be conducted for technical posts after AFCAT.
Follow these steps to fill the AFCAT 02/2026 online application form before the last date:
⚠️ Pro Tip from our experts: Apply at least 5–7 days before the deadline. Government portals frequently experience heavy traffic and technical issues in the final 24–48 hours before the last date, which can lead to failed submissions.
Keep the following documents ready (scanned copies in JPEG/PDF format) before you start the application:
| Apply Online | 🚀 Apply Now |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here ↗ |
| Official Website | Click Here ↗ |
The last date to apply online for AFCAT 02/2026 is 19 June 2026. Candidates are advised to submit their applications well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute technical issues.
Selected candidates for AFCAT 02/2026 will receive a monthly salary in the Pay Level 10 of the 7th CPC, ranging from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500, along with applicable allowances.
The age limit for AFCAT 02/2026 is 20-24 years for the Flying Branch and 20-26 years for Ground Duty branches. Age relaxation is provided for SC/ST candidates.
To apply online for AFCAT 02/2026, visit the official website afcat.cdac.in, register, fill in the application form, upload documents, pay the fee, and submit the form before the last date.
The selection process for AFCAT 02/2026 includes the AFCAT written examination, followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, and a medical examination.
Yes, there is an application fee of ₹550 for all candidates applying for AFCAT 02/2026. However, candidates applying through the NCC Special Entry Scheme are exempted from this fee.
Required documents for AFCAT 02/2026 include 10th/12th certificates, degree mark sheets, caste certificate (if applicable), photograph, and signature, all scanned in JPEG/PDF format.
Educational qualifications for AFCAT 02/2026 vary by branch: Flying Branch requires a Bachelor's degree with 50% in Maths & Physics at 10+2. Ground Duty (Technical) requires 60% in engineering degree. Ground Duty (Non-Technical) requires a Bachelor's degree with 50%.
The AFCAT 02/2026 admit card release date is not yet announced but is typically released 2-3 weeks before the exam date, which is tentatively scheduled for August 2026.
The result declaration date for AFCAT 02/2026 has not been announced yet. Candidates will be notified once the result is published on the official Indian Air Force website.