🏛️ Government Job Alert

Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment: Apply Online for 379 Gazetted Officer Posts

Indian Air Force

📍
Location
All India
📅
Last Date
19 Jun 2026
💼
Salary
Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500 per month (Level 10)

Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment: Apply Online for 379 Gazetted Officer Posts

Indian Air Force — Ministry of Defence

AV
By Anita Verma • 25 Jun 2026
Defence Sarkari Job Latest Notifications Government Jobs 📍 All India

📅 Important Dates

Application Start20 May 2026
Last Date to Apply19 Jun 2026
Fee Payment Deadline19 Jun 2026
Exam Date08 Aug 2026

📋 Vacancy Details

Post NameGroup A Gazetted Officers (Flying & Ground Duty)
Total Vacancies379
QualificationGraduation (Any Discipline), B.E./B.Tech, B.Com, B.Sc, Post Graduation
Age Limit20 to 26 years
SalaryRs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500 per month (Level 10)
Application FeeRs. 550/- + 18% GST (No fee for NCC & GATE entry)
Selection ProcessAFCAT Online Written Exam, AFSB Interview & CPSS, Medical Examination

📝 Detailed Notification Information

Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment Notification

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially released the detailed notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 02/2026). This recruitment drive aims to select prospective male and female candidates as Group 'A' Gazetted Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches for courses commencing in July 2027 at the Air Force Academy.

Interested and eligible aspirants can apply online starting from May 20, 2026, until the application window closes on June 19, 2026. The online computer-based exam is scheduled to be held on August 8, 2026.

AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment: Overview

Below is a quick summary of the key features of the AFCAT 02/2026 exam:

Parameters Details
Conducting Body Indian Air Force (IAF)
Exam Name Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT - 02/2026)
Posts Offered Group 'A' Gazetted Officers (Flying & Ground Duty Branches)
Total Vacancies 379
Application Mode Online only
Entry Types AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry, GATE Score Entry
Selection Stages Written Exam, AFSB Testing, Medical Examination

Important Dates

Make sure you do not miss any of the crucial timelines for the examination process:

  • Online Application Start Date: May 20, 2026 (11:00 AM)
  • Online Application Closing Date: June 19, 2026 (11:30 PM)
  • Admit Card Download Date: August 4, 2026 (Tentative)
  • AFCAT Online Written Exam: August 8, 2026
  • Course Commencement Date: July 2027

Vacancy Distribution (AFCAT 02/2026)

A total of 379 vacancies are offered across various entry routes and branches. Here is the detailed post matrix:

Entry & Branch Men (PC) Women (PC) Men (SSC) Women (SSC)
AFCAT Entry (Flying) - - 30 5
Ground Duty (Technical) - AE(L) 2 2 107 25
Ground Duty (Technical) - AE(M) 8 2 52 13
Ground Duty (Non-Tech)
(WS, Adm, Lgs, Accts, Edn, Met)
- - WS: 21, Adm: 50, Lgs: 4, Accts: 5, Edn: 1, Met: 1 WS: 5, Adm: 12, Lgs: 2, Accts: 2, Edn: 2, Met: 2
NCC Special Entry (Flying) 10% of seats from CDSE for PC & 10% of seats from AFCAT for SSC
GATE Score Entry (Ground Duty Tech) AE(L): 1, AE(M): 1 AE(L): 1, AE(M): 1 AE(L): 12, AE(M): 6 AE(L): 3, AE(M): 1

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill the designated nationality, age limit, and education qualification parameters to apply.

1. Age Limit (As on July 1, 2027)

  • Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Entry): 20 to 24 years (born between July 2, 2003, and July 1, 2007, both dates inclusive). Upper age limit is relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA.
  • Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years (born between July 2, 2001, and July 1, 2007, both dates inclusive).

2. Educational Qualifications

  • Flying Branch: Minimum 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level AND either a 3-year Graduation degree with at least 60% marks OR a 4-year B.E./B.Tech degree with minimum 60% marks.
  • Ground Duty (Technical): Aeronautical Engineers (Electronics/Mechanical) must have passed 10+2 with 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics, coupled with a minimum 4-year professional Engineering/Technology degree with at least 60% marks in relevant disciplines.
  • Ground Duty (Non-Technical):
    • Weapon Systems (WS), Administration & Logistics: Minimum Graduation (3 years) in any stream with at least 60% marks.
    • Accounts: B.Com / BBA (Finance) / BMS (Finance) with a minimum of 60% marks.
    • Education: Post Graduation with at least 50% marks coupled with a Graduation degree with 60% marks.

Application Fee

  • AFCAT Entry (All candidates): Rs. 550/- + 18% GST (Non-refundable).
  • NCC Special Entry / GATE Score Entry: Exempted from paying any examination fee.

Selection Process

The Indian Air Force implements a systematic assessment system comprising three main stages:

  1. Online Computer-Based Test (AFCAT): Candidates undergo an objective-type written test testing General Awareness, English proficiency, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning.
  2. Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing: Shortlisted candidates undergo Phase I (Officer Intelligence Rating & PP&DT screening) and Phase II (Psychological, Group Task, and Interview evaluations). Candidates applying for the Flying Branch must additionally clear the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test.
  3. Medical Examination & Merit List: Those declared medically fit are drafted into final order of merit based on cumulative exam and interview marks.

AFCAT Written Exam Pattern

The written examination structure is defined as follows:

  • Total Duration: 2 Hours (120 Minutes)
  • Number of Questions: 100 Multiple Choice Questions
  • Maximum Marks: 300 Marks
  • Marking Scheme: +3 marks for every correct response; -1 mark for every incorrect response; 0 marks for unattempted questions.

How to Apply for IAF AFCAT 02/2026?

Follow these step-by-step instructions to register and apply online:

  1. Go to the official registration portal at https://afcat.edcil.co.in.
  2. Locate and click the "Sign Up" option to initiate your registration. Enter your active email ID, mobile number, and personal details.
  3. Verify your credentials using the OTP sent to your email and phone, and note the generated User ID and password.
  4. Log in to your account, fill in all qualification credentials, specify your branch preferences, and upload your scanned passport-size photograph, signature, and thumb impression in the prescribed format.
  5. Pay the requisite fee of Rs. 550/- + GST using the integrated online payment portal (not applicable to NCC Special / GATE Entry).
  6. Double-check all entered fields during the final preview stage, submit your application, and print the confirmation page for physical reference.

📝 How to Apply

Register online via the official portal https://afcat.edcil.co.in, fill in the details, upload documents, pay the application fee, and submit.
Indian Air Force — Exam Preparation & Verification Guide

📚 Preparation Strategy for Indian Air Force

Securing a government position under Indian Air Force requires a disciplined and strategic approach. Candidates with Graduation (Any Discipline), B.E./B.Tech, B.Com, B.Sc, Post Graduation qualifications should focus on the following:

  • Analyze Syllabus & Pattern: Thoroughly review the official Indian Air Force exam syllabus. Understand the marking scheme, sectional cutoffs, and whether negative marking applies.
  • Practice Previous Papers: Solving past Indian Air Force exam papers and taking timed mock tests is the most effective way to improve speed and accuracy.
  • Time Management: Dedicate fixed study hours for quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, general awareness, and language tests based on the weightage of marks in the Group A Gazetted Officers (Flying & Ground Duty) examination.

⚠️ Safe Application Checklist

To avoid fraud and secure your candidature for the Group A Gazetted Officers (Flying & Ground Duty) position, always complete the following checks before submitting your application:

  • Verify Official Domains: Ensure you apply only on official government portals. Check that the website URL ends in .gov.in, .nic.in, or .ac.in.
  • Read PDF Notification: Always download and thoroughly read the official Indian Air Force notification PDF to check specific eligibility details, reservations, and document formats.
  • Beware of Agents: Government recruitments by Indian Air Force are strictly based on merit. Never pay money to unauthorized agents promising guaranteed jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions — Indian Air Force
How can I confirm if this Indian Air Force job posting is genuine?

Every job notification listed on ApplySarkariJob.com is cross-verified with official government gazettes, department portals, and national employment newspapers. We provide direct links to the official Indian Air Force website and the original notification PDF in the "Source/Official Links" section above. Candidates are strongly advised to verify all information on the official portal before applying for the Group A Gazetted Officers (Flying & Ground Duty) post.

What should I do if the official application link or PDF does not open?

Indian Air Force portals often experience extremely high traffic when notifications are released or close to the deadline, causing official servers to slow down or crash. If a link or official PDF is unresponsive, please try accessing it during off-peak hours (early morning or late night) or check your internet connection.

Does ApplySarkariJob charge any fees for recruitment updates or alerts?

No. ApplySarkariJob.com is a 100% free informational portal. We never charge job seekers for notifications, study materials, or push alerts. If you receive any calls, emails, or messages requesting payment under our name, please ignore them as they are fraudulent.

What qualifications do I need for this Indian Air Force recruitment?

The educational qualification required for this recruitment is: Graduation (Any Discipline), B.E./B.Tech, B.Com, B.Sc, Post Graduation. Please always refer to the official notification PDF linked in the "Source/Official Links" section above for the most accurate and complete eligibility criteria, including age limits, experience requirements, and category-specific relaxations.

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✍️ Reviewed & Verified By
AV
Anita Verma
HR & Recruitment Specialist

Anita Verma is a certified HR professional with extensive experience in government and semi-government hiring practices. She specializes in university, hospital, and court recruitment notifications across India.

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