The Indian Air Force (Bhartiya Vayu Sena) has officially released the short notice for the AFCAT 02/2026 Batch Recruitment on its official website, inviting online applications for 142 posts across Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical, Ground Duty Non-Technical, Meteorology, and NCC Special Entry categories. Notably, the application window opens on 20 May 2026 and closes on 19 June 2026. Furthermore, candidates holding a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level (for Flying Branch) or a relevant Engineering Degree with a minimum of 60% marks (for Ground Duty Technical) are eligible to apply for this prestigious Indian Air Force officer-level recruitment.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Indian Air Force (Bhartiya Vayu Sena) |
| Examination Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2026 |
| Post Categories | Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical (AE-L, AE-M), Ground Duty Non-Technical (Admin, LGS, Accounts, Education, WS Branch), Meteorology, NCC Special Entry, GATE Score Entry |
| Total Vacancies | 142 |
| Job Location | Pan-India (Indian Air Force Stations) |
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 19 June 2026 |
Vacancy Breakdown
| Entry Type | Branch | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT | Flying | 30 | 05 | 35 |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | Admin / LGS | 54 | 14 | 68 |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | Accounts | 05 | 02 | 07 |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | WS Branch | 21 | 05 | 26 |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | Education | 01 | 02 | 03 |
| Meteorology Entry | Meteorology | 01 | 02 | 03 |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 10% of AFCAT vacancies for SSC | — | — |
| GATE Score Entry | GD Technical | To be notified | — | — |
| Total | — | — | — | 142 |
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
- Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry): Minimum age 20 years; Maximum age 24 years, as on 01 July 2027
- Ground Duty Technical & Non-Technical: Minimum age 20 years; Maximum age 26 years, as on 01 July 2027
- Additionally, IAF provides age relaxation for NCC Special Entry candidates as per applicable Air Force regulations
Educational Qualification
Flying Branch:
- Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognised university
- Specifically, candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level as mandatory subjects
- Alternatively, candidates holding a B.E. / B.Tech degree are also eligible for the Flying Branch
Ground Duty Technical — Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics):
- Candidates must have secured a minimum of 60% marks in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level
- Furthermore, candidates must hold a minimum 4-year Graduation / Integrated PG Degree in Engineering or Technology in a relevant discipline
Ground Duty Technical — Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical):
- Candidates must have secured minimum 60% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level
- Additionally, candidates must hold a 4-year Engineering / Technology Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or an equivalent discipline
Ground Duty Non-Technical — Administration & Logistics:
- Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks
- Specifically, male candidates must have a minimum height of 157.5 cm and female candidates 152 cm
Ground Duty Non-Technical — Accounts:
- Candidates must hold a B.Com (Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce) with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks
- Moreover, the same physical eligibility applies — 157.5 cm for males and 152 cm for females
NCC Special Entry (Flying):
- Candidates must hold an NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate
- Additionally, all other eligibility conditions applicable to the Flying Branch apply equally to NCC Special Entry candidates
GATE Score Entry (GD Technical):
- Candidates must hold a degree in the relevant engineering field and must have qualified the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) examination
Nationality
- Candidates must be Indian citizens as per the standard eligibility conditions that the Indian Air Force prescribes for all AFCAT 02/2026 Batch officer-level entry posts
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 19 June 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 19 June 2026 |
| Exam Date | To be notified later |
| Admit Card | Before the examination date |
| Result Date | To be updated |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Category Candidates | ₹ 550/- |
Accepted Payment Modes: Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Card / Mobile Wallet.
Exam Pattern
- Stage 1 — Written Examination (AFCAT): Firstly, the Indian Air Force conducts the AFCAT Written Examination covering Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude, and General Awareness. Notably, candidates applying for Ground Duty Technical posts additionally appear in an Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) covering their specific engineering discipline. Consequently, candidates must prepare comprehensively across all sections to clear the category-wise cutoff.
- Stage 2 — Air Force Selection Board (AFSB): Subsequently, candidates who qualify the written examination attend a 5-day AFSB assessment at designated Air Force Selection Centres. Specifically, the AFSB evaluates candidates through Psychological Tests, Group Tests, and a Personal Interview to assess officer-like qualities, leadership potential, and overall suitability for IAF service.
- Stage 3 — Document Verification: Moreover, candidates who receive AFSB recommendations attend Document Verification where IAF officials thoroughly check all original educational certificates, identity documents, and entry-specific qualification proofs.
- Stage 4 — Medical Examination: Finally, IAF conducts a comprehensive Medical Examination at a designated Air Force Medical Centre to confirm complete physical and medical fitness before confirming the final selection for training.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official AFCAT portal at afcat.edcil.co.in on or after 20 May 2026, when the application link becomes active.
- Locate and click the “Apply Online” link for AFCAT 02/2026 Batch Recruitment.
- Register using a valid email address and mobile number to generate your secure application login credentials.
- Fill in the online application form carefully with all required personal, educational, branch preference, and entry-type details.
- Upload your recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format and within the permitted file size.
- Pay the application fee of ₹ 550/- through any accepted online payment mode before 19 June 2026.
- Submit the form and download or print the confirmation receipt — preserve it carefully for future reference during AFCAT, AFSB, and medical examination stages.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Active from 20 May 2026 |
| Official Notification | Active Soon |
| AFCAT Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When does the AFCAT 02/2026 Batch Recruitment application open and close?
Applications open on 20 May 2026 and the last date is 19 June 2026.
Q2. What is the application fee for all categories?
The fee is a uniform ₹ 550/- for every candidate regardless of category or gender.
Q3. What is the maximum age for Flying Branch candidates in AFCAT 02/2026?
Flying Branch candidates must be below 24 years of age as on 01 July 2027.
Q4. Is the GATE score required for all AFCAT Ground Duty Technical posts?
No – the GATE Score Entry applies only to a specific GD Technical route; other Ground Duty Technical posts require Engineering Degree with 60% in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2.
Q5. What is the official website for AFCAT?
The official website is afcat.edcil.co.in.