AFCAT 01/2026 Notification
Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official AFCAT 1 2026 Notification PDF to recruit eligible candidates for 340 vacancies of Class-I Gazetted Officers Branch and Ground Duty (Non-Technical and Technical) branches. The online form-filling process for the AFCAT 1 2026 Exam has started on 17th November 2025. Interested and eligible Indian citizens (Men and Women) can apply online through the official website or the direct link shared below in the article. The complete information, including vacancy, eligibility, selection process, etc, has been mentioned in the official notification. Candidates can check information by clicking the link shared below.
AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 Overview
- Exam Name: Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 1) 2026
- Conducting Authority: Indian Air Force (IAF)
- Exam Level: National
- Branches: Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical)
- Vacancy: 340
- Registration Dates: 17th November to 14th December 2025
- Nationality: Candidate must be a citizen of India as per Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
AFCAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- AFCAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Flying branch:
- Candidates should have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level. OR
- Graduation with minimum three years degree course in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. OR
- BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. OR
- Candidates who have cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent
- AFCAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Ground Duty (Technical)Branch:
- (i)Aeronautical engineering (Electronics)(AE(L)): Minimum 60% marks each in physics and mathematics at 10+2 level and a degree in graduation/post-graduation in the field of engineering and technology from a recognized university.
- Flying Branch through AFCAT and NCC Special Entry: 20 to 24 years as on 01 January 2027 i.e. born between 02 January 2003 to 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive). Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable up to 26 years i.e. born between 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive)
- Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch: 20 to 26 years as on 01 January 2027 i.e. born between 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive).
- Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course and marriage is not permitted during training. A candidate who marries during the period of training shall be discharged and will be liable to refund all expenditure incurred on him/her by the Government.
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Application Fee
- Candidates registering for AFCAT entry will have to pay an amount of Rs. 550/- + GST (non-refundable) (not applicable for NCC special entry) as an examination fee.
AFCAT 1 2026 Selection Process
- The selection procedure for AFCAT 1 2026 consists of multiple stages to assess the candidates’ aptitude, intelligence, and personality traits.
- Online Written Examination (AFCAT)
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview
- Medical Examination
- Candidates who qualify in all stages will be selected for training at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad.
AFCAT 1 2026 Application Process
- The application for AFCAT 01/2026 will be accepted only through online mode on the official website of the Indian Air Force. Candidates should follow these steps once the link is activated:
- Visit the official website.
- Click on the “AFCAT 1 2026 Apply Online” link.
- Register with your email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in the required personal, academic, and communication details.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and relevant certificates.
- Pay the required application fee (expected ₹550 including GST).
- Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
AFCAT 1 2026- Important Dates
- AFCAT 1 2026 Notification (Detailed): 9th November 2025
- Commencement of Application Form: 17th November 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: 14th December 2025 (11:30 pm)
- AFCAT Admit Card 2026: January 2026 (3rd week)
- AFCAT Exam Date 2026: 31st January 2026 (10 am to 12 noon)
- Course Commences From: January 2027
AFCAT 1 2026- Important Links
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Pattern
- The AFCAT written exam is conducted online and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 300 marks. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. Each correct answer is awarded +3 marks, while 1 mark is deducted for every wrong response.
- Section-wise Distribution:
- General Awareness: 20 (Questions) and 60 (Marks)
- Verbal Ability in English: 30 (Questions) and 90 (Marks)
- Numerical Ability: 15 (Questions) and 45 (Marks)
- Reasoning & Military Aptitude: 35 (Questions) and 105 (Marks)
- Total: 100 (Questions) and 300 (Marks)
- Marking Scheme is as follows:-
- Three marks will be awarded for every correct answer.
- One mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
- No marks for un-attempted questions.
- Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT):
- Candidates applying for Technical Branch must appear for the EKT, which tests basic engineering knowledge.
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Number of Questions: 50
- Maximum Marks: 150
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Syllabus
- English: Comprehension, Detect Error in Sentence, Sentence Completion/ Filling in of correct word, Synonym/ Antonym, Cloze Test or Fill in the Gaps in a paragraph, Idioms and Phrases, Analogy, Sentence Rearranging, Substitution in a Sentence/ One Word Substitution. Transformation of Sentence (Complex to Simple), Homonyms.
- General Awareness: History, Geography, Sports, National & International Organisations, Art & Culture, Personalities, Environment & Ecology, Indian Polity, Economy, Basic Science Based Knowledge, Science & Technology, Current Affairs (National & International), Defence.
- Numerical Ability: Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average/ Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Time & Distance and Races (Trains/ Boats & Streams), Area and Perimeter, Probability, Number System & Number Series, Mixture & Allegation Rules, Square & Square root/Cube & Cube roots, HCF & LCM, Elementary Mensuration, Heights and Distance, Statistics (Mean, Median and Mode), Exponents and powers.
- Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test: Verbal and NonVerbal Reasoning
- Standard: The standard of Numerical Ability Questions will be of Matriculation level. The standard of questions in other subjects will be of graduation level (Indian University).
