IAF Commissioned Officer Recruitment 2026
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced the AFCAT 01/2026 Notification for the recruitment of Commissioned Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. This is one of the most prestigious opportunities for candidates who aspire to serve the nation by joining the Air Force. Through this recruitment, a total of 340 vacancies are available for deserving male and female candidates.
Serving in the Air Force is not just a job — it’s a proud commitment to protect the skies of India while enjoying an exciting career filled with respect, growth, and adventure.
Vacancy Details
Total Vacancies: 340
| Branch | Entry Type | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | SSC (Short Service Commission) | 38 |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | AE (L) & AE (M) | 188 |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Administration, Accounts, Logistics, Education, Meteorology | 114 |
The distribution of vacancies may vary slightly depending on training and administrative requirements.
Important Dates
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Starting Date to Apply Online: 17 November 2025
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Last Date to Apply Online: 14 December 2025
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AFCAT Exam Date: 31 Jan 26 (Saturday)
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Admit Card Release Date: January 2026
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Course Commencement: January 2027
Applicants are advised to apply well before the last date to avoid last-minute server issues.
Application Fee
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AFCAT Entry: ₹550 + GST
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NCC Special Entry: No Fee
Payment Mode: Online (Credit/Debit Card/Net Banking/UPI)
Candidates are advised to keep the transaction receipt for reference.
Eligibility — Age & Nationality
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Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
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Age (as on 01 Jan 2027):
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Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry): 20 to 24 years (born between 02-01-2003 and 01-01-2007). Upper age relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid/current Commercial Pilot Licence (DGCA, India).
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Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years (born between 02-01-2001 and 01-01-2007).
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Marital status: Candidates must be unmarried at the commencement of the course; marriage during training is not permitted and will lead to discharge and liability to refund costs.
Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
Age (as on 01 Jan 2027):
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Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry): 20 to 24 years (born between 02-01-2003 and 01-01-2007). Upper age relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid/current Commercial Pilot Licence (DGCA, India).
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Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years (born between 02-01-2001 and 01-01-2007).
Marital status: Candidates must be unmarried at the commencement of the course; marriage during training is not permitted and will lead to discharge and liability to refund costs.
Educational Qualification
Flying Branch:
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10+2 with Physics & Mathematics (minimum 50% each) AND Graduation (3-year) with minimum 60% OR BE/B Tech (4-year) with 60% or equivalent.
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Ground Duty (Technical) — AE (Electronics) & AE (Mechanical):
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Detailed and specific degree requirements apply (e.g., recognized four-year engineering degrees with minimum 60% OR specified MSc/BSc combinations for some posts). The notification lists approved engineering disciplines (including many modern specializations — AI, Data Science, Cyber Security, IoT, Robotics, Software Engineering, etc.) that are acceptable for AE(L) roles. Carefully check the notification’s paragraphs to match your exact degree title and percentage criteria.
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Ground Duty (Non-Technical):
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Branch-specific qualifications such as B.Com for Accounts, Master’s for Education posts, and post-graduate science qualifications for Meteorology — all with minimum percentage criteria specified in the notification.
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Carefully review section 5.3 Educational Qualifications of the official notification for exact, branch-wise degree titles and percentage thresholds.
Selection Process
The selection process for IAF Commissioned Officers through AFCAT 01/2026 consists of the following stages:
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AFCAT Written Examination
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Objective type paper conducted online.
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Duration: 2 hours
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Total Marks: 300
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Subjects: General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude.
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AFSB Interview (Air Force Selection Board)
Shortlisted candidates from the written exam will be called for AFSB Interview, which includes:-
Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR)
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Psychological Tests
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Group Discussion & Personal Interview
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Medical Examination
Candidates who clear the interview undergo a thorough medical check-up to ensure they meet the required physical and medical standards.
Exam Pattern
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | |
| Verbal Ability (English) | 30 | 90 | |
| Numerical Ability | 15 | 45 | |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | 30 | 90 | |
| Total | 100 | 300 | 2 Hours |
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Each question carries 3 marks, and there is a negative marking of 1 mark for every wrong answer.
Training and Service Tenure
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Training Period: 74 weeks for Flying & Ground Duty (Technical) Branches and 52 weeks for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches at Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad).
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Tenure:
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Flying Branch: Short Service Commission (14 years – 10 years initial + 4 years extension).
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Ground Duty Branches: Permanent or Short Service Commission as per notification.
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Pay Scale and Benefits
Selected candidates will be appointed as Flying Officer (Level 10) in the Pay Matrix (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500).
Additional Benefits:
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Military Service Pay: ₹15,500 per month
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Flying Allowance (for Flying Branch): ₹11,250 per month
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Technical Allowance: ₹2,500 per month
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Free medical facilities for self and dependents
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Furnished accommodation and travel concessions
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Insurance cover of ₹1 crore (on-duty)
A career in the Indian Air Force offers not only a stable income but also adventure, discipline, and lifelong pride in serving the nation.
How to Apply
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Visit the official website: https://afcat.cdac.in
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Click on “AFCAT 01/2026 – Apply Online.”
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Register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
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Fill out the application form carefully with accurate details.
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Upload scanned copies of photo, signature, and required documents.
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Pay the application fee online (if applicable).
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Submit the form and take a printout for future reference.
Important Links
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Official Notification: Click Here
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Apply Online: Click Here
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Official Website: https://afcat.cdac.in
Important Notes & Cautions
Vacancies are tentative — the IAF may alter final vacancies. Always rely on the official PDF for final counts.
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Ensure dates of birth and academic percentages on the application exactly match the accepted certificates; inconsistencies may lead to disqualification.
FAQs
1. What is AFCAT 01/2026?
It is a recruitment test conducted by the Indian Air Force to select Commissioned Officers in Flying and Ground Duty branches.
2. How many vacancies are available in IAF AFCAT 2026?
A total of 340 vacancies are available for both men and women.
3. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to apply online is 14 December 2025.
4. What is the application fee?
₹550 for AFCAT entry and no fee for NCC Special Entry.
5. What is the selection process?
It includes a written test, AFSB interview, and medical examination.
6. Can final-year students apply?
Yes, final-year students can apply provided they meet eligibility by the time of training commencement.
7. What is the salary of a Commissioned Officer?
The salary starts at ₹56,100 per month with allowances and benefits.
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