AFCAT 1 2026 Recruitment: The Indian Air Force has officially released the notification for AFCAT 1 2026 Notification, inviting applications for 340 vacancies across the Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical, and Ground Duty Non-Technical branches. This is one of the most anticipated defence recruitment drives of the year, offering young aspirants a prestigious opportunity to join the Air Force as Group A Gazetted Officers. The online application window will open on 17 November 2025, and interested candidates can apply until 14 December 2025.
AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) remains one of the premier gateways to serve the nation through the Indian Air Force, offering excellent training, growth opportunities, and a stable career. The selected candidates of AFCAT 1/2026 will begin their training course at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, in January 2027. With newly revised dates, increased competition, and fresh openings, aspirants are advised to go through the notification carefully before submitting their application.
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AFCAT 1 2026 Recruitment Notification Overview
| Recruitment Body | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Exam Name | AFCAT 1/2026 |
| Vacancies | 340 Posts |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non-Technical), NCC Special Entry |
| AFCAT 1 2026 Notification Date | 17 November 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 17 November 2025 |
| Application Last Date | 14 December 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | Around 22 January 2026 |
| AFCAT 1/2026 Exam Date | 31 January 2026 |
| Course Commencement | January 2027 |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
AFCAT 1 2026 Vacancy Details
The Indian Air Force has announced 340 vacancies for AFCAT 1/2026 across multiple branches. These include:
1. Flying Branch
Offers opportunities to join as a pilot in one of the most elite aviation forces.
2. Ground Duty (Technical) Branch
Includes Mechanical, Electronics, and other engineering disciplines.
3. Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch
Covers Administration, Accounts, Logistics, Education, and Meteorology.
4. NCC Special Entry
Available for candidates with NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Flying).
Detailed branch-wise vacancy breakup is provided in the official notification.
AFCAT 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility conditions related to age, education, and physical standards.
Nationality
- Candidate must be a citizen of India.
Age Limit (as on 01 January 2027)
Flying Branch
- 20 to 24 years
- Candidates with a valid DGCA-issued Commercial Pilot License (CPL) can apply up to 26 years.
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical)
- 20 to 26 years
Educational Qualifications
Flying Branch
- 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics with 50% marks in each.
- Graduation (3-year degree) with 60%, OR
- BE/B.Tech (4-year degree) with 60%.
Ground Duty Technical
- Engineering degree in relevant discipline with 60% marks.
- Must also qualify the EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test).
Ground Duty Non-Technical
- Graduation in any discipline with 60% marks.
- Specific qualifications apply for Accounts, Education, and Meteorology.
Marital Status
- Candidate must be unmarried at the time of commencement of training.
Physical & Medical Standards
- Minimum height, weight, vision standards, and overall medical fitness will be assessed as per IAF norms during the medical examination.
AFCAT 1 2026 Recruitment – Selection Process
The selection procedure consists of four major stages:
AFCAT Written Examination
This is the first stage for most candidates.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Questions: 100
- Maximum Marks: 300
- Negative Marking: 1 mark deducted for each wrong answer
- Sections:
- General Awareness
- Verbal Ability in English
- Numerical Ability & Reasoning
- Military Aptitude Test
EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test)
Mandatory for candidates applying for the Technical branch.
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Tests engineering fundamentals in relevant streams.
AFSB Interview
Shortlisted candidates are called for the AFSB (Air Force Selection Board), which includes:
- Psychological Tests
- Group Discussion & Group Tasks
- Personal Interview
- Psychological Aptitude Battery Tests
Candidates can select AFSB centres such as Dehradun, Mysuru, Varanasi, or Gandhinagar.
Medical Examination
Recommended candidates must undergo a detailed medical test conducted at IAF-authorised medical centres.
AFCAT 1 Exam Pattern 2026
AFCAT Written Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 |
| Verbal Ability | 25 | 75 |
| Numerical Ability & Reasoning | 30 | 90 |
| Military Aptitude Test | 20 | 60 |
| Total | 100 | 300 |
EKT Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Discipline | 50 | 150 |
Application Fee
- ₹550 + GST for AFCAT entry
- No fee for NCC Special Entry candidates
How to Apply Online AFCAT 1 2026
Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through their respective regional RRB websites. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official portal afcat.cdac.in.
- Click on the “Apply for AFCAT 1 2026)” link.
- Register using valid details such as mobile number and email ID.
- Fill in the application form carefully with personal, educational, and communication details.
- Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, and required documents.
- Pay the application fee through online mode (UPI, Debit/Credit Card, or Net Banking).
- Submit the form and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
⚠️ Note: Once submitted, the selected Fee cannot be refunded. Candidates should verify details before final submission.
AFCAT 1 2026 Pay Structure
Candidates selected through AFCAT will undergo training at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, starting from January 2027.
Pay Scale
- Officers will receive pay as per Level 10 of the 7th CPC, approximately ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500.
- Additional allowances include Flying Allowance, Technical Allowance, and other service benefits.
Important Dates for AFCAT 1 2026
The Indian Air Force has revised the registration schedule for AFCAT 1/2026. Below are the updated and confirmed dates:
- Notification Release: Early November 2025
- Online Application Start: 17 November 2025
- Last Date to Apply: 14 December 2025
- Admit Card Release: Expected from 22 January 2026
- AFCAT 1/2026 Exam Date: 31 January 2026
- Course Commencement: January 2027
Candidates should ensure timely submission of their applications, as the registration portal may witness heavy traffic near the deadline.
AFCAT 1 2026: Important Links to Apply
| Govt Jobs Telegram Channel | Join Link |
| Govt Jobs WhatsApp Channel | Join Link |
| AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 | Download Link |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Homepage | OnnlineSarkari.com |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
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AFCAT 1 2026 Notification brings an excellent opportunity for young graduates to join the Indian Air Force as commissioned officers. With 340 vacancies across Flying, Technical, and Non-Technical branches, the recruitment drive is expected to attract large participation. Interested candidates must ensure eligibility, understand the exam pattern, and complete the application process within the prescribed dates. As the exam will be held on 31 January 2026, aspirants are advised to begin preparations early and stay updated with official announcements.
How many vacancies released in AFCAT 1 2026 Notification?
A total of 340 vacancies have been announced across various branches.
When will the AFCAT 1 2026 application process begin?
The AFCAT 1 2026 registration process will begin on 17 November 2025.
When will AFCAT 1 2026 exam to be conducted?
The exam will be conducted on 31 January 2026.
What is the Last Date of AFCAT 1 2026 Recruitment?
The last date to apply is 14 December 2025 (11:59 PM).