AFCAT 01/2026 Batch Recruitment Short Summary: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the much-awaited short notice for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2026 Batch, inviting applications from highly motivated male and female candidates to join the elite Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches as Commissioned Officers (January 2027 Course). You can check AFCAT 01/2026 application process, detailing the specific eligibility for each branch—from the minimum marks required in 10+2 Physics and Math for Flying Branch, to the required Engineering/B.Com/Master’s degrees for Ground Duty, the official age limits, the application fee (including the NCC special entry fee waiver), and the multi-stage selection process involving the Written Exam and the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview below. If you are interested for this latest government jobs, it is advised that you should read the official notification before submitting your applications.
AFCAT 01/2026 Batch Recruitment: Quick Overview
| Name of Post/Blog | AFCAT 01/2026 Batch Notification Details |
| Last Updated On | Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 10:05 AM IST |
| Source of Information | Official Indian Air Force Short Notice for AFCAT 01/2026 (CEN) and afcat.cdac.in |
| Last Date to Apply | December 09, 2025 |
| Organization | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Position | Commissioned Officer (Flying Branch & Ground Duty – Technical/Non-Technical) |
| Total Vacancies | To Be Announced (Will be updated with the detailed notification) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Location | All Over India |
| Selection Process | AFCAT Written Exam, Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview, Medical Examination |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
| Home Page | tiicrecruitment.in |
AFCAT 01/2026 Eligibility Criteria: Age, Qualification, and Physical Standards
To apply for the highly respected Commissioned Officer posts in the Indian Air Force, you must meet the eligibility criteria related to age, educational qualification, and physical standards which vary by branch.
Important Dates: Don’t Miss the Application Deadline
Candidates are advised to keep the dates in mind so that they can proceed further accordingly. Don’t forget to apply if you are interested and eligible within the deadline given below.
| Event | Date |
| Online Apply Start Date | November 10, 2025 |
| Online Apply Last Date | December 09, 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | December 09, 2025 |
| Tentative Exam Date | January/February 2026 (Expected) |
| Course Commencement | January 2027 |
Application Fee: Fee Payment and NCC Exemption
If you are going to apply for this latest defense job then you must check the fee details. A key benefit for NCC ‘C’ certificate holders is the fee exemption.
| Entry Type | Application Fee |
| AFCAT Entry (All Candidates) | ₹ 550/- (plus GST, Non-refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry | ₹ 00/- (Fee Exempted) |
| Meteorology Entry | ₹ 00/- (Fee Exempted) |
| Payment Mode | Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking (Online) |
Post Wise Vacancy Details: Branch and Commission
The detailed number of vacancies will be released soon with the full official notification. Below is the general structure of the posts available in the January 2027 course, covering Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) for both male and female candidates.
| Entry | Branch | Commission Type (PC/SSC) | Seat Details |
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | SSC for Men & Women | Specific number to be released |
| Ground Duty (Technical) – AE(L) / AE(M) | PC & SSC for Men & Women | Specific number to be released | |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) – Admin, Accts, LGS, Edn, Met, WS | PC & SSC for Men & Women | Specific number to be released | |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | PC for Men & SSC for Men & Women | 10% seats out of CDSE/AFCAT vacancies |
Age Limit: (as on 01 January 2027)
If you are interested and want to apply for this recruitment, then your age should fall under the limits outlined below. Age relaxation is provided for those holding a valid Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
| Branch | Age Limit (as on 01 Jan 2027) | Born Between (Tentative) |
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 Years | 02 January 2003 to 01 January 2007 (Both dates inclusive) |
| Ground Duty (Technical / Non-Technical) | 20 to 26 Years | 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2007 (Both dates inclusive) |
| CPL Holders (Flying) | Upper age limit is relaxed up to 26 Years |
Essential Qualification: Check Your Degree Requirements
Before applying for this vacancy, it is advised to check the eligibility details specifically the qualification that is required as per the official notification released. Meeting the percentage and subject requirements is crucial.
| Branch | Specific Eligibility Criteria |
| Flying Branch | 1. 10+2 Level: Must have passed with minimum 50% marks each in Maths and Physics.
AND 2. Graduation: A minimum 3-year graduation degree in any stream with 60% marks or a B.E./B.Tech degree with 60% marks. |
| Ground Duty (Technical) – AE(L) / AE(M) | 1. 10+2 Level: Must have passed with minimum 60% marks each in Maths and Physics.
AND 2. Degree: A minimum 4-year Graduation/Integrated PG qualification in Engineering/Technology in the relevant subject. |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) – Administration, Logistics, Weapon System | Bachelor’s Degree in any stream with a minimum of 60% marks. |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) – Accounts | Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce (B.Com) with a minimum of 60% marks. |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) – Education | MBA, MCA, MA, or M.Sc. degree with a minimum of 50% marks and 60% in Graduation. |
| Physical Eligibility (All Ground Duties) | Male: Min. Height – 157.5 cm, Female: Min. Height – 152 cm. |
How to Submit Your Application For AFCAT 01/2026 Batch Recruitment
The application process for the AFCAT 01/2026 course must be completed online through the official IAF career portal. For your easy reference, we have added the steps that are required to be taken in order to submit your application form for this latest government job.
| Step | Action Required |
| Step 1: New Registration | Visit the official AFCAT CDAC website. Click on ‘Candidate Login’ and then ‘AFCAT 01/2026’. Register as a New User using a valid Email ID and Mobile Number to receive login credentials. |
| Step 2: Fill Application Form | Log in with the registered Email/Password. Fill out the application form with accurate Personal, Educational (including 10+2 Physics & Maths marks), and Communication details. Select your preferred branch and AFSB Centre. |
| Step 3: Upload Documents | Upload your recent photograph, signature, and left thumb impression (for male candidates) / right thumb impression (for female candidates) in the specified JPEG format and size (usually 10KB to 50KB). |
| Step 4: Pay Application Fee | Proceed to the payment gateway. Pay the ₹550/- fee online using a Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking. (This step is skipped for NCC/Meteorology entries). |
| Step 5: Final Submission | Review all details carefully. Submit the application form and download/print the final Confirmation Page for your records. |
Essential & Important Links: Quick Access
Below are some important and crucial links for your easy access in order to grab this opportunity.
| Type of links | Link to access |
| Apply Online Link (Activation Date: 10 Nov 2025) | Go Here to Apply |
| Check Short Notice | Click Here to View |
| Download Official Notification (Detailed PDF – Link Activate Soon) | Click Here to Download |
| AFCAT Official Website | Click Here to Visit |
AFCAT 01/2026 Batch Recruitment FAQs
- What is the minimum in-hand salary for an AFCAT Officer?
- The starting pay scale (Level 10) is ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500. Including Military Service Pay (MSP), DA, and other allowances, the gross monthly salary for a newly commissioned Flying Officer is generally ₹85,000 to ₹1,20,000+, varying by branch and posting location.
- Is EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) mandatory for all candidates?
- No. The EKT is only mandatory for candidates applying to the Ground Duty (Technical) Branch. It is not required for Flying Branch or Ground Duty (Non-Technical) posts.
- Can final year/semester students apply for AFCAT?
- Yes, candidates in the final year/semester of their graduation can apply, provided they have no backlog and expect to obtain their degree with the minimum required marks before the course commences in January 2027.
- Is the height requirement the same for Flying and Ground Duty?
- No. The minimum height for the Flying Branch is 162.5 cm. For Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical), it is 157.5 cm for males and 152 cm for females.
