Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment 2026 notification has been officially released by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for recruitment of 379 Commissioned Officer posts in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches. Eligible male and female candidates can apply online from 20 May 2026 to 19 June 2026 through the official AFCAT portal. Candidates looking for Latest Defence Jobs 2026, Air Force Jobs 2026, and Sarkari Naukri 2026 should not miss this excellent opportunity to join the Indian Air Force as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers.
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Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment 2026 Overview – Apply Online for 379 Air Force Officer Posts
| Particular | Details |
| Organization Name | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Exam Name | AFCAT 02/2026 |
| Post Type | Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers |
| Branches | Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical & Non-Technical |
| Total Vacancies | 379 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 19 June 2026 |
| AFCAT Exam Date | 08 August 2026 |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
| Job Type | Central Government Defence Job |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment is one of the most prestigious Central Government Recruitment 2026 opportunities for graduates and engineering candidates across India. Selected candidates will undergo officer training and serve in Flying or Ground Duty branches under Permanent Commission or Short Service Commission.
AFCAT 02/2026 Vacancy Details – Branch Wise Officer Vacancy Breakdown
Indian Air Force has announced branch-wise vacancies for Flying Branch and Ground Duty branches. The vacancies are tentative and may change according to organisational requirements.
| Entry | Branch | Total Vacancies |
| AFCAT Entry | Flying Branch | 35 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty Technical | 211 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty Non-Technical | 107 |
| GATE Entry | Ground Duty Technical | 25 |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying Branch | As per AFCAT Rules |
| Total | 379 | |
The recruitment includes vacancies for Flying Branch, Aeronautical Engineering Electronics, Aeronautical Engineering Mechanical, Weapon Systems, Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, and Meteorology branches.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Eligibility Criteria – Qualification and Age Limit
Candidates must satisfy nationality, educational qualification, medical standards, and age limit conditions before applying online.
Nationality:
Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply for AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment.
Age Limit:
| Branch | Age Limit |
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 Years |
| Ground Duty Technical & Non-Technical | 20 to 26 Years |
Candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA can get age relaxation up to 26 years for Flying Branch.
Educational Qualification:
| Branch | Qualification |
| Flying Branch | Graduation or BE/B.Tech with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level |
| Ground Duty Technical | 4 Year Engineering Degree in relevant streams |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | Graduation/Post Graduation depending on branch requirement |
Final year candidates are also eligible to apply if they can produce proof of qualification within the prescribed date mentioned in the notification.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Application Fee – Online Fee Details
| Entry Type | Application Fee |
| AFCAT Entry | ₹550 + 18% GST |
| NCC Special Entry | No Fee |
| GATE Score Entry | No Fee |
The application fee can be paid online through Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking. The fee once paid is non-refundable.
AFCAT 02/2026 Selection Process – Written Exam, AFSB Interview and Medical Test
The Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2026 selection process consists of multiple stages.
- Stage 1 – AFCAT Online Examination: Computer Based Test containing English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude questions.
- Stage 2 – AFSB Testing: Officer Intelligence Rating Test, Psychological Tests, Group Tasks, and Personal Interview.
- Stage 3 – CPSS: Applicable for Flying Branch candidates only.
- Stage 4 – Medical Examination: Detailed medical fitness examination conducted by Air Force medical authorities.
- Stage 5 – Final Merit List: Prepared on the basis of AFCAT and AFSB performance.
Candidates qualifying all stages successfully will be called for training starting from July 2027.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Exam Pattern – Online CBT Details
| Particular | Details |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 300 |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
| Negative Marking | 1 Mark Deducted for Wrong Answer |
| Language | English Only |
The AFCAT exam includes questions from English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude sections.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Salary – Pay Scale and Training Stipend
Candidates selected through AFCAT Recruitment 2026 will receive attractive salary packages along with military allowances and benefits.
| Particular | Details |
| Training Stipend | ₹56,100 per month |
| Pay Level | Level 10 |
| Salary Range | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Additional Benefits | MSP, DA, Flying Allowance, Insurance, Medical Facilities |
Apart from salary, officers also receive accommodation benefits, Air Force Group Insurance, transport facilities, and other government allowances.
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Important Dates – Online Form Schedule
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 19 June 2026 |
| AFCAT Admit Card Release | 04 August 2026 (Tentative) |
| AFCAT Exam Date | 08 August 2026 |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
How to Apply for Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment – Step by Step Online Process
- Visit the official AFCAT website.
- Complete new registration using mobile number and email ID.
- Verify OTP sent to registered contact details.
- Login using generated User ID and Password.
- Fill personal, educational, and branch preference details carefully.
- Upload photograph, signature, thumb impression, and live image.
- Pay the online application fee through available payment modes.
- Preview all details carefully before final submission.
- Submit the form and download the final application copy.
Candidates are advised to complete the application process before the last date to avoid server issues during peak traffic.
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AFCAT 02/2026 Documents Required – Upload and Verification List
- Recent Passport Size Photograph
- Signature Scan Copy
- Thumb Impression
- Aadhaar Card
- 10th & 12th Mark Sheets
- Graduation / Engineering Degree Certificates
- NCC ‘C’ Certificate (if applicable)
- GATE Score Card (for GATE Entry)
- Government Employee NOC (if applicable)
- Valid Photo ID Proof
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Important Links – Apply Online and Notification PDF
| Action | Link |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Here |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
FAQs – Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment 2026
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment 2026 has been released for a total of 379 vacancies in Flying Branch and Ground Duty branches. These vacancies are available for both men and women candidates under Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission entries.
The last date to submit the AFCAT 02/2026 online application form is 19 June 2026 up to 11:30 PM. Candidates should apply early to avoid technical issues or heavy traffic on the last day.
The AFCAT 02/2026 online computer based examination will be conducted on 08 August 2026 across various exam centres in India. Admit cards are expected to be released from 04 August 2026.
Candidates applying for Flying Branch must have passed Graduation or BE/B.Tech degree from a recognised university along with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level. Candidates with Commercial Pilot Licence can also get age relaxation benefits.
Selected candidates receive a starting salary under Pay Level 10 ranging from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 along with Military Service Pay, allowances, insurance coverage, and other Air Force benefits.
Yes, AFCAT 2026 has negative marking. Candidates receive 3 marks for every correct answer, while 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
Yes, final year or final semester students can apply for AFCAT 02/2026 provided they do not have any backlog and can submit proof of passing within the date specified in the official notification.
The AFCAT selection process includes Online Examination, AFSB Interview, CPSS for Flying Branch candidates, Medical Examination, and Final Merit List preparation. Candidates must clear every stage to get final selection in the Indian Air Force.