The Indian Air Force (Bhartiya Vayu Sena) has officially released the full notification for the AFCAT 02/2026 Batch Recruitment on its official website, inviting online applications for 142 officer-level posts across Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical, Ground Duty Non-Technical, Meteorology Entry, NCC Special Entry, and GATE Score Entry categories. Notably, the application window opened on 20 May 2026 and closes on 19 June 2026, with the written examination confirmed for 08 August 2026. Furthermore, candidates holding a Bachelor’s Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a relevant Engineering Degree with a minimum of 60% marks are eligible to apply for this prestigious Indian Air Force officer 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 |
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 SSC vacancies | — | — |
| 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 service 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 the 10+2 level as mandatory subjects
- Alternatively, candidates holding a B.E. / B.Tech degree in any engineering discipline also qualify for the Flying Branch
Ground Duty Technical — Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics):
- Candidates must have secured a minimum of 60% marks in both Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level
- Furthermore, candidates must hold a minimum 4-year Graduation or Integrated PG Degree in Engineering / 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 equivalent
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 standards apply — 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 GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
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 |
| Written Exam Date | 08 August 2026 |
| Admit Card | Before the examination date |
| Result Date | To be updated |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Category Candidates | ₹ 550/- + 18% GST |
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 on 08 August 2026, 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 marks.
- 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 across India. Specifically, the AFSB evaluates candidates through Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, and a Personal Interview to assess Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) and leadership potential.
- Stage 3 — Document Verification: Moreover, AFSB-recommended candidates 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 final selection for training.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official AFCAT portal at afcat.edcil.co.in on or after 20 May 2026.
- 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/- plus 18% GST 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 exam, AFSB, and medical examination stages.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| AFCAT Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When does the AFCAT 02/2026 Batch Recruitment application open and close?
Applications opened on 20 May 2026 and the last date is 19 June 2026.
Q2. When is the AFCAT 02/2026 Written Examination scheduled?
The written examination takes place on 08 August 2026.
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 Ground Duty Technical posts?
No – GATE applies only to the GATE Score Entry route; regular Ground Duty Technical posts require an Engineering Degree with 60% in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2.
Q5. What is the official website for AFCAT recruitment?
The official website is afcat.edcil.co.in.