Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 — 379 Vacancies

About This Job

The Indian Air Force has opened AFCAT 02/2026 to recruit men and women as Group 'A' Gazetted Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Around 379 vacancies are on offer across all branches. If you are a graduate or engineer who meets the age and education rules, you can apply online at afcat.edcil.co.in. The application window is 20 May 2026 to 19 June 2026, and the online exam will be held on 8 August 2026.

Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Officer Recruitment - 379 Posts

The Indian Air Force (IAF) invites Indian citizens to join this elite force through the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 02/2026) for courses starting in July 2027. This cycle covers the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical) branch, Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branch, plus NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. Both men and women can apply for all branches, with Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission options. Note that vacancies are tentative and may change as per IAF requirements.

Vacancy Breakdown

Around 379 vacancies are spread across the branches below (tentative):

• Flying Branch (SSC): 35 posts — 30 Men, 5 Women
• Ground Duty (Technical) — AFCAT Entry: 211 posts in Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) and Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical)
• Ground Duty (Non-Technical) — SSC: 107 posts in Weapon Systems, Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education and Meteorology
• GATE Score Entry — Ground Duty (Technical): 26 posts
• NCC Special Entry (Flying): 10% of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% of AFCAT vacancies for SSC

Two seats in the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branch are reserved for Law-qualified candidates.

Who Can Apply?

You must be a citizen of India. The education needed depends on the branch:

Flying Branch

• Passed Maths and Physics at 10+2 level, AND
• Graduation (minimum 3-year degree) in any discipline, OR a 4-year BE/B.Tech, OR cleared Sections A & B of AMIE / Aeronautical Society of India

Ground Duty (Technical) Branch

• Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics): Maths and Physics at 10+2, plus a 4-year engineering degree (or integrated PG) in an approved electronics/computer/electrical discipline
• Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical): Maths and Physics at 10+2, plus a 4-year engineering degree (or integrated PG) in an approved mechanical/automobile/production discipline

Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch

• Weapon Systems: Maths and Physics at 10+2, plus graduation (3-year) in any discipline or a 4-year BE/B.Tech
• Administration & Logistics: 10+2 and graduation (3-year) in any discipline
• Accounts: 10+2 and B.Com / BBA-Finance / BMS-Finance / CA / CMA / CS / CFA / B.Sc-Finance
• Education: 10+2 and Post-Graduation in any discipline plus graduation
• Meteorology: 10+2 and B.Sc with Physics and Maths, or a 4-year engineering degree in an approved stream

Final-year students with no backlog can also apply, but must complete their exams by 30 May 2027.

Age Limit

• Flying Branch and NCC Special Entry: 20 to 24 years as on 1 July 2027 (born between 2 July 2003 and 1 July 2007). The upper limit is relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA.
• Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) and GATE Score Entry: 20 to 26 years as on 1 July 2027 (born between 2 July 2001 and 1 July 2007).
• Marital Status: You must be unmarried at the start of the course, and marriage is not allowed during training.

Salary

• Selected officers join as Group 'A' Gazetted Officers with pay as per the 7th Pay Commission, plus Military Service Pay and allowances.
• The starting pay is around Rs. 56,100 per month (Pay Level 10) during training, rising sharply after commissioning.
• You also get DA, flying/technical allowances, free medical care, subsidised accommodation and other defence perks.

Application Fee

• AFCAT Entry: Rs. 550 + 18% GST (non-refundable)
• NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry: No fee
• Payment mode: Online via Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card or UPI

Selection Process

Selection happens in these stages:

1. AFCAT Written Exam: Online objective exam on 8 August 2026 (skip for NCC/GATE entries who use other scores).
2. EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test): Extra paper for Ground Duty (Technical) candidates only.
3. AFSB Testing: Air Force Selection Board interview, including psychological tests, group tasks and a personal interview over a few days.
4. CPSS / PABT: Computerised Pilot Selection System for Flying Branch candidates.
5. Medical Examination: Detailed medical check as per Air Force standards.

How to Apply

1. Go to the AFCAT portal at afcat.edcil.co.in.
2. Sign up with your name, mobile number and email, and verify with OTP. Keep your Aadhaar handy.
3. Fill in your personal, contact, qualification and course preference details.
4. Upload your photo (100-200 KB), signature (80-150 KB) and thumb impression (50-100 KB) in JPG/JPEG.
5. Pay the exam fee of Rs. 550 + GST online (not needed for NCC/GATE entries).
6. Preview, submit and print your application form for your records.

Important Dates

• Application Start: 20 May 2026 (11:00 AM)
• Last Date to Apply: 19 June 2026 (11:30 PM)
• Admit Card: From 4 August 2026 (11:00 AM)
• AFCAT Exam Date: 8 August 2026 (Saturday)
• Course Commencement: July 2027

• Serve as a Group 'A' Gazetted Officer in your assigned branch of the Indian Air Force
• Fly and operate aircraft on combat, transport or training missions (Flying Branch)
• Maintain and manage aircraft systems, electronics and machinery (Technical Branch)
• Handle administration, logistics, accounts, education or meteorology duties (Non-Technical Branch)
• Lead and train airmen under your command
• Follow Air Force rules, discipline and safety standards at all times
• Take up postings anywhere in India as required by the service