Important Dates
| Event |
Date |
| Notification Date |
09 November 2025 |
| Application Start |
17 November 2025 |
| Last Date Apply Online |
14 December 2025 |
| Fee Payment Last Date |
14 December 2025 |
| Correction Date |
As Per Schedule |
| Admit Card |
Notify Later |
| Exam Date |
Notify Later |
| Result Date |
Notify Later |
Vacancy Details
The Indian Air Force will announce the specific number of vacancies for AFCAT 01/2026 in its detailed notification on November 9, 2025. Vacancies are released for two main types of entries:
| Entry Type |
Branch |
Post / Stream |
Men (SSC) |
Women (SSC) |
| AFCAT Entry |
Flying |
Flying |
21 |
09 |
|
Ground Duty (Technical) |
Aeronautical Engineer (L) |
95 |
27 |
|
|
Aeronautical Engineer (M) |
53 |
14 |
|
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) |
Weapon Systems (WS) |
14 |
03 |
|
|
Administration |
42 |
11 |
|
|
Logistics (Lgs) |
13 |
03 |
|
|
Accounts (Accts) |
11 |
02 |
|
|
Education (Edn) |
07 |
02 |
|
|
Meteorology (Met) |
07 |
02 |
| NCC Special Entry |
Flying |
Flying |
10% of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% of AFCAT vacancies for SSC |
|
Important Points on Vacancies:
- Provisional: These numbers are always tentative and can change based on the IAF's training and operational requirements.
- Law Qualified: One seat is reserved from the Ground Duty (Non-Tech) vacancies for candidates qualified in law.
- NCC Reservation: 10% of vacancies in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-technical) branches are reserved for NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' certificate holders.
Eligibility Criteria
You must meet every eligibility requirement to be considered.
Age Limit (As on 01 January 2027)
The age limits are strict and calculated as of the course commencement date.
| Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry) |
- Age: 20 to 24 years.
- Born Between: 02 January 2003 and 01 January 2007 (both dates included).
|
| Flying Branch (CPL Holder) |
- Age Relaxation: The upper age limit is relaxed to 26 years for those with a valid and current Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
- Born Between: 02 January 2001 and 01 January 2007 (both dates included).
|
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch |
- Age: 20 to 26 years.
- Born Between: 02 January 2001 and 01 January 2007 (both dates included).
|
Marital Status
- Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course.
- Marriage is not permitted during the training period. Any candidate who marries during training will be discharged and must refund all government expenditure.
Educational Qualification
You must meet both the 10+2 level and Graduation level requirements.
| Flying Branch |
- 10+2 Level: Must have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics.
- Graduation:
- Option 1: Graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks (3-year course).
- Option 2: B.E. / B.Tech degree with a minimum of 60% marks (4-year course).
- Option 3: Cleared Section A & B of AMIE or Aeronautical Society of India with a minimum of 60% marks.
|
| Ground Duty (Technical) Branch |
- 10+2 Level: Must have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics.
- Graduation: A minimum of 60% marks in a four-year B.E./B.Tech degree in specific engineering streams.
- Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) {AE(L)}: Requires a degree in disciplines like Communication Engg, Computer Science, Electrical & Electronics, Info Tech, Cyber Security, etc.
- Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) {AE(M)}: Requires a degree in disciplines like Aerospace Engg, Aeronautical Engg, Aircraft Maintenance Engg, Mechanical Engg, Mechatronics, etc.
|
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch
| Weapon Systems (WS) Branch |
- 10+2 Level: Must have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics.
- Graduation:
- Option 1: Graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks (3-year course).
- Option 2: B.E. / B.Tech degree with a minimum of 60% marks (4-year course).
|
| Administration & Logistics Branch |
- 10+2 Level: Passed 10+2.
- Graduation: Graduate Degree in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks OR cleared Section A & B of AMIE or Aeronautical Society of India with 60% marks.
|
| Accounts Branch |
- 10+2 Level: Passed 10+2.
- Graduation: A minimum of 60% marks in one of the following:
- B.Com (3-year course).
- BBA (specialization in Finance) / BMS (specialization in Finance) / BBS (specialization in Finance).
- Qualified CA / CMA / CS / CFA.
- B.Sc. with specialization in Finance.
|
| Education Branch |
- 10+2 Level: Passed 10+2.
- Graduation: 60% marks in any discipline.
- Post-Graduation: 50% marks in any discipline (including integrated courses).
|
| Meteorology Branch |
- 10+2 Level: Passed 10+2.
- Graduation: A minimum of 60% marks in B.Sc. with Physics and Mathematics OR a 4-year B.E./B.Tech degree in specific streams (like Computer Science, Electronics, Mechanical, etc.).
|
Final Year Students: Candidates in their final year/semester can also apply, provided they have no backlogs and have secured 60% marks up to the last declared result. They must be able to produce their final degree by the date specified.
Application Fee and Process
Application Fee
- AFCAT Entry: ₹550 + GST (non-refundable).
- NCC Special Entry: No Fee.
How to Apply
- Visit the Official Website: The only official website for registration is https://afcat.edcil.co.in.
- Register: Go to "Candidate Login" and click on "Not Yet Registered? Register Here." You will need to provide your full name, email, and mobile number. (Aadhaar Card is mandatory for registration).
- Sign In: Log in using your registered email ID and the password sent to you.
- Reset Password: You will be prompted to reset your password.
- Select Entry: Choose your entry type: "AFCAT" or "NCC Special Entry."
- Fill Application Form:
- Personal Details: Fill in your name, father's name, date of birth, etc.
- Qualification Details: Enter your 10+2 and graduation marks.
- Course Preference: Select the branches you are eligible for and interested in, in order of preference.
- Communication Details: Enter your permanent and correspondence addresses.
- Upload Documents: Upload your recent passport-size photo, signature, and thumb impression.
- File Size: 10 KB to 50 KB for each file.
- Format: .jpg or .jpeg.
- Exam City Selection: Choose your preferred exam cities from the drop-down list.
- Make Payment: (For AFCAT Entry only). Pay the ₹550 + GST fee via the online payment gateway.
- Final Submission: Review your application and submit it. Download a copy for your records.
Salary and Allowances
Stipend During Training: All flight cadets will receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 per month during their one year of training at the Air Force Academy (AFA).
Pay on Commissioning
Upon successful commissioning, you will be in the rank of Flying Officer.
| Component |
Amount |
| Rank |
Flying Officer |
| Pay Level |
Level 10 in the Defence Matrix |
| Pay as per Defence Matrix |
₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500 |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) |
₹15,500 |
This means your starting in-hand salary, including MSP and other allowances, will be substantial.
Allowances
In addition to the basic pay, you will be entitled to numerous allowances based on your branch and posting, including:
- Flying Allowance (for Flying Branch)
- Technical Allowance (for Technical Branch)
- Transport Allowance
- Field Area Allowance
- Special Force Allowance
- Siachen Allowance
- Risk and Hardship Allowance
Privileges
- Insurance: A ₹1.25 crore insurance cover (on contribution) from AFGIS.
- Accommodation: Furnished accommodation for yourself and your family.
- Medical: Comprehensive medical cover for you and your dependents.
- Leave: 60 days of annual leave and 20 days of casual leave per year.
- Other Benefits: Access to Canteen (CSD) facilities, Officers' Mess, subsidized loans, and LTC (Leave Travel Concession).
Selection Process
For AFCAT Entry
- Stage 1: Online AFCAT Exam: Candidates must appear for the AFCAT written test. Those who clear the cut-off will be called for the next stage.
- Stage 2: AFSB Testing:
- Call-up: Successful candidates will receive a call-up letter to choose their AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) date and venue. The AFSBs are located at Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, and Guwahati.
- AFSB Interview (5 Days): This is a two-stage test.
- Stage-I (Day 1): Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PP&DT). This is a screening test. If you fail to clear this, you will be sent back.
- Stage-II (Remaining 4 Days): For candidates who clear Stage-I. This includes:
- Psychological Tests: Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), and Self-Description Test (SD).
- Group Tests (GTO): A series of group activities, group discussions, and command tasks.
- Personal Interview: A one-on-one interview with a senior officer.
- CPSS (For Flying Branch): Candidates who apply for the Flying Branch and are recommended by the AFSB will undergo the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS). This is a once-in-a-lifetime test. Candidates who have failed the CPSS/ PABT in an earlier attempt or a Flight Cadet suspended from flying training at Air Force Academy will not be eligible.
- Stage 3: Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by the AFSB will proceed to an Air Force Medical Board for a thorough medical examination.
- Stage 4: Final Merit List: A final merit list is prepared based on your total marks in the AFCAT written exam and the AFSB interview. Candidates who are high on the merit list and are medically fit will receive the joining instructions.
For NCC Special Entry
- Stage 1: AFSB Testing: Candidates are exempted from the AFCAT written exam. They are directly called for AFSB testing (Stage-I and Stage-II) as described above.
- Stage 2: Medical Examination: Thorough medical examination.
- Stage 3: Final Merit List: The merit list is prepared based on AFSB performance.
Physical and Medical Standards
The IAF follows some of the strictest medical standards.
Physical Fitness
This is not a pass/fail test at the AFSB, but it is highly advised that you achieve this level of fitness before reporting for your AFSB interview. You will have to perform these activities during your GTO tasks.
| Run: |
4 km in 15 minutes |
| Push-ups: |
20 push-ups |
| Chin-ups: |
8 chin-ups |
| Rope Climbing |
3-4 meters |
| Swimming |
25 m |
Key Medical Standards
A detailed medical examination is conducted, here are the most common standards checked.
- Height
- Flying Branch: 162.5 cm
- Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical):
- Male: 157 cm
- Female: 152 cm (There are relaxations for candidates from specific regions like Gorkhas, North-East, and Uttarakhand).
- Weight
- Your weight must be proportionate to your height and age.
- Vision (Refractive Errors)
- Flying Branch:
- Vision: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia.
- Myopia (nearsightedness): Not permitted (Manifest Myopia: Nil).
- Colour Vision: CP-I (Perfect).
- Ground Duty (Technical):
- Vision: Correctable to 6/6 in each eye.
- Refractive Error: Hypermetropia (+3.5 D Sph) and Myopia (-3.50 D Sph) permitted.
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical):
- Varies by branch, but generally correctable to 6/6.
- Refractive Error: Hypermetropia (+3.5 D Sph) and Myopia (-3.50 D Sph) permitted.
Refractive Surgery (LASIK)
Refractive surgery (like PRK, LASIK, SMILE) is permitted for all branches, subject to certain conditions:
- Must be done after 20 years of age.
- At least 12 months must have passed since the uncomplicated surgery.
- Axial length of the eye must be within 26 mm.
- Post-surgery corneal thickness must be > 450 microns.
- Radial Keratotomy (RK) surgery is NOT permitted.
Tattoos
- Permanent body tattoos are NOT permitted on any visible body part or any part other than the specified areas.
- Allowed: Tattoos are only permitted on the inner face of the forearms (from inside of the elbow to the wrist) and on the reverse side of the palm/back (dorsal) side of both hands.
- Exception: Tribes with tattoo marks as part of their existing customs may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
General Disqualifiers
You will be declared unfit for conditions like:
- Spinal deformities (e.g., Scoliosis, Kyphosis)
- Hernia of any kind
- Diabetes Mellitus
- History of recurrent headaches or migraines
- Stammering
- Evidence of any skin disease (e.g., Psoriasis, Vitiligo)
- Any cardiovascular disease
