Indian Air Force • Ministry of Defence
Official Notification
Official Notification
Official Notification: AFCAT Entry 02/2026 / NCC Special Entry • Official Portal: afcat.cdac.in
AFCAT 2 2026 Notification: Apply Online for 304 Commissioned Officer Posts at afcat.cdac.in
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Apex Defence Notification: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially issued the notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 02/2026). Eligible unmarried Indian citizens (men and women) can apply online for 304 Commissioned Officer vacancies in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches.
Quick Overview
| Recruiting Organization | Indian Air Force (IAF), Ministry of Defence |
| Examination Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 02/2026) |
| Total Vacancies | 304 Commissioned Officers (Flying & Ground Duty) |
| Commission Type | Short Service Commission (SSC) for Men & Women |
| Application Mode | Online Registration via afcat.cdac.in |
| Pay Level | Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500) + MSP Rs. 15,500/- |
Important Dates & Schedule
| Event / Milestone | Official Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Opening Date | September 18, 2026 |
| Online Registration Closing Date | October 16, 2026 (23:30 Hrs) |
| AFCAT Online Examination | December 12 & 13, 2026 |
| Course Commencement at AFA | July 2027 at Air Force Academy, Dundigal |
Vacancy Details & Post Breakdown
| Post Designation | Pay Matrix / Scale | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch (Men & Women) | SSC Officer | 28 Posts |
| Ground Duty Technical (Aeronautical Engg) | SSC Officer | 156 Posts (AE-L: 104, AE-M: 52) |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical (Admin, Accounts, Logistics) | SSC Officer | 120 Posts (Admin: 54, Accounts: 24, Logistics: 22, Education: 20) |
Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications
| Flying Branch | 10+2 with minimum 50% marks each in Maths and Physics, PLUS Graduation with minimum 60% marks OR B.E./B.Tech degree with minimum 60% marks. Age: 20 to 24 years. |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | Minimum 50% marks each in Physics & Mathematics at 10+2, and 4-year degree in relevant Engineering/Technology with minimum 60% marks. Age: 20 to 26 years. |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Graduate degree in any discipline with minimum 60% marks (B.Com for Accounts). Age: 20 to 26 years. |
Pay Scale & Allowances
Newly commissioned Flying Officers are placed in Pay Level 10 of the 7th CPC (Basic Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500) along with Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs. 15,500/- per month. Total gross monthly pay is approximately Rs. 1,10,000/- plus Flying Allowance, Dearness Allowance, subsidized accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance, and canteen facilities.
Selection Process & Examination Pattern
- Online AFCAT Exam: 100 MCQs (300 Marks, 2 Hours) covering General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude.
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB): Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) & Picture Perception (PPDT). Stage II: Psychological Tests, Group Tasks (GTO), and Personal Interview.
- Medical Examination: Stringent medical board examination conducted at AFCME, New Delhi or IAM, Bengaluru.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official candidate login portal at
afcat.cdac.in. - Click on ‘Candidate Login’ and select ‘AFCAT 02/2026 Cycle’.
- Register your mobile number and email ID to generate login credentials.
- Fill in personal data, educational marks, and branch preferences accurately.
- Upload digital photograph, signature, and thumb impression in the prescribed JPEG format.
- Pay examination fee of Rs. 550/- online (NCC Special Entry candidates are exempt).
- Download and take a printout of the submitted confirmation slip.
Official Links & Direct Actions
| Document / Action Link | Direct URL / Action |
|---|---|
| AFCAT 02/2026 Official Notification PDF | Download Notification → |
| AFCAT Online Application Gateway | Apply Online → |
| AFSB Interview Centers & Guidelines | View Guidelines → |
| Career Indian Air Force Portal | Visit Official Portal → |