Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment 2026 – Apply for 379 Posts
Indian Air Force · All India
Quick Info
Quick Info Overview
| 🏢 Organization | Indian Air Force |
| 📋 Post Name | Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment 2026 – Apply for 379 Posts |
| 📢 Total Vacancies | 379 |
| 📁 Category | Central Govt Jobs |
| 📍 Location | All India |
| 🎓 Education | graduate, btech, post_graduate |
| 🎂 Age Limit | 20 – 26 Yrs (Gen) | As on: 01-07-2027 |
| 💰 Salary | As per Indian Air Force pay scale |
| 💳 App Fee | ₹250 (Gen) | SC/ST/Women: Free |
| 📝 Apply Mode | Offline |
| 📅 Last Date | 19-06-2026 by 23:30 hrs |
| 🎯 GATE Note | GATE score is used only for shortlisting candidates for interview in Ground Duty Technical branch; final selection depends on SSB and medical fitness. |
Important Dates
| Notification Released | 20-05-2026 |
| Online Apply Start | 20-05-2026 |
| Apply Last Date | 19-06-2026 (by 23:30 hrs) |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 19-06-2026 |
Vacancy Breakdown
| General | 0 |
| OBC | 0 |
| SC | 0 |
| ST | 0 |
| EWS | 0 |
| PH | 0 |
| Total Posts | 379 |
Application Fee
| General / OBC | ₹250 |
| SC / ST | Nil / Exempted |
| PH / PWD | Nil / Exempted |
| Female Candidates | Nil / Exempted |
Selection Process
- Stage 1: Online AFCAT Exam
- Stage 2: Screening Test (if applicable)
- Stage 3: SSB Interview
- Stage 4: Medical Examination
Overview
Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the AFCAT 02/2026 notification for recruitment of Men and Women as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non‑Technical) branches. The courses will commence in July 2027. Online applications are accepted from 20 May 2026 (1100 hrs) to 19 June 2026 (2330 hrs) at the official AFCAT website https://afcat.edcil.co.in. The AFCAT online exam will be held on 08 August 2026 (Saturday). Candidates must ensure eligibility conditions before applying.
Candidates can also check Latest Govt Jobs 2026 and browse other central government opportunities like Defence Jobs 2026 on our portal.
Key Highlights
- Organization: Indian Air Force
- Exam Name: Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT-02/2026)
- Course Commencement: July 2027
- Branches: Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non-Technical)
- Entry Types: AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry (Flying), GATE Score Entry (Ground Duty Technical)
- Exam Mode: Online Computer Based Test
- Commission Types: Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC)
- Application Mode: Online only via official AFCAT website
- Important Dates: Application start - 20 May 2026, Application end - 19 June 2026, Exam date - 08 August 2026
Vacancy Details
Total 379 vacancies are available across different branches and entries including Flying Branch and Ground Duty Technical (AE(L) and AE(M)) & Non-Technical branches. Specific reserved seats for NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry are also included. Vacancies include:
- Flying Branch SSC: 30 men, 5 women
- Ground Duty Technical AE(L) & AE(M) PC: AE(L) 2 men, 2 women; AE(M) 8 men, 2 women
- Ground Duty Technical AE(L) & AE(M) SSC: AE(L) 107 men, 25 women; AE(M) 52 men, 13 women
- Ground Duty Non-Technical (various disciplines)
- NCC Special Entry Flying: 10% seats reserved
- GATE Score Entry Ground Duty Technical: AE(L) and AE(M) seats specified
Eligibility
Eligibility includes citizenship (Indian), age limits varying by branch (20-24 years for Flying, 20-26 years for Ground Duty), specific educational qualifications per branch including graduation and engineering degrees for technical entries. Candidates must be unmarried at the course commencement, and final year students can apply if they can provide proof of passing by 30 May 2027.
Detailed eligibility and age relaxation rules are given in the official notification.
Important Dates
- Online Application Start Date: 20 May 2026 (1100 hrs)
- Last Date to Apply Online: 19 June 2026 (2330 hrs)
- AFCAT Online Exam Date: 08 August 2026 (Saturday)
- Admit Card Available From: 04 August 2026 (tentative)
- Course Commencement: July 2027
Application Fee
Refer to the official notification for detailed application fee structure.
How to Apply
Candidates should apply online only via the official AFCAT website https://afcat.edcil.co.in. All instructions must be carefully followed to complete the application process successfully.
For preparation, candidates can Download Admit Card, Download Syllabus PDF, and Check Latest Results related to AFCAT and other defence exams on our portal.
Selection Process
- Online AFCAT Examination (Computer Based Test)
- Screening Test for Ground Duty Technical and NCC candidates where applicable
- SSB Interview and Psychological Tests
- Medical Examination
Final selection is based on performance in AFCAT, subsequent tests, and medical fitness. The Defence Jobs 2026 category on our portal helps candidates explore similar careers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the eligibility for Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026? +
How can I apply for AFCAT 02/2026? +
What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 02/2026? +
What is the age limit for Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026? +
What salary will Indian Air Force officers recruited through AFCAT receive? +
What is the selection process for AFCAT 02/2026? +
Is there any application fee for AFCAT 02/2026? +
Important Links
📚 Exam Preparation Strategy
Timeline: Short-term preparation (Less than 30 days)
- Priority: Focus only on high-scoring topics and previous year patterns
- Strategy: Study 6-8 hours daily, solve at least 2 mock tests per week
- Smart work: Skip low-weightage topics, master frequently asked questions
💡 Subject-wise Focus Areas:
- General Knowledge: Read daily current affairs, focus on last 6 months events, government schemes
- Reasoning: Practice pattern recognition, syllogism, and coding-decoding (30 mins daily)
- Quantitative Aptitude: Master time & work, percentage, ratio & proportion - these appear in 60% of papers
- English/Regional Language: Grammar rules, vocabulary building, comprehension practice
✍️ Application Tips & Common Mistakes
✅ Before You Start:
- Keep all documents scanned and ready (Photo: 50KB, Signature: 20KB, JPG format recommended)
- Have a valid email ID and mobile number (OTP will be sent for verification)
- Keep your educational certificates handy for filling exact marks and registration numbers
- Use a laptop/desktop for better experience (avoid mobile for complex forms)
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Wrong Category Selection: Once submitted, category cannot be changed - verify before final submit
- Photo/Signature Errors: Must have white background, exact dimensions as specified
- Incomplete Payment: Don't close browser immediately after payment, wait for confirmation page
- Last-minute Rush: Server overload common on last day - apply within first 10 days
- Email Mistakes: Use a permanent email ID, not temporary or office email
💡 Pro Tips:
- Fill form in two sessions: Save as draft first, review next day with fresh mind before final submission
- Take screenshots of every page during application process
- Download and save the final submitted application PDF immediately
- Note down your registration number and application number separately
- Set email alerts for updates from the organization
💬 Success Story
"Achieving Government Job Dream"
Success story from a government job aspirant
"After completing my graduation, I spent two years preparing for government exams. The journey was challenging but worth it. Consistent preparation and staying motivated were crucial. I joined online test series, followed a strict study schedule, and never missed daily practice."
Key Learnings: "Time management during exams is as important as preparation. Practice mock tests in exam conditions. Stay calm during the actual exam - nervous candidates make silly mistakes even if they know the answers."
Ready to Apply?
Click below to visit the official application page.
Application closes on 19 Jun 2026
(8 days left)
🎯 Expert Analysis
This is a valuable government opportunity offering job security, good salary, and career growth prospects. Government jobs provide stability that private sector cannot match.
📊 Key Highlights:
💡 General Preparation Tips: