AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment – Exam-Ready Notes (340 Posts)

1. Overview

• Recruiting Body: Indian Air Force (IAF)

• Exam: AFCAT 01/2026

• Total Vacancies: 340

• Branches:
  ✔ Flying
  ✔ Ground Duty (Technical)
  ✔ Ground Duty (Non-Technical)
  ✔ NCC Special Entry

• Apply Online: 17 Nov 2025

• Last Date: 14 Dec 2025

• Online Exam Date: 31 Jan 2026

• Official Website: afcat.edcil.co.in

---

2. Vacancy Details (Branch-wise)

A. AFCAT Entry

Flying Branch

• SSC Men: 34

• SSC Women: 04

Ground Duty (Technical)

Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) – AE(L)

• PC Men: 03

• PC Women: 03

• SSC Men: 100

• SSC Women: 23

Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) – AE(M)

• PC Men: 09

• PC Women: 03

• SSC Men: 38

• SSC Women: 09

Ground Duty (Non-Technical)

Men (SSC)

• Weapon Systems: 21

• Admin: 48

• Logistics: 09

• Accounts: 08

• Education: 02

• Meteorology: 01

Women (SSC)

• Weapon Systems: 05

• Admin: 12

• Logistics: 02

• Accounts: 02

• Education: 02

• Meteorology: 02

B. NCC Special Entry

• Flying Branch (PC + SSC): 10% of CDSE/AFCAT seats

---

3. Eligibility Criteria

Flying Branch

• Graduate (any stream) with Physics & Maths at 10+2, OR

• BE/B.Tech (any discipline)

• Age (as on 01 Jan 2027): 20–24 years

• CPL holders: Up to 26 years

Ground Duty (Technical)

• BE/B.Tech in specified disciplines (Mechanical/EE/EC/IT etc.)

• Age: 20–26 years

Ground Duty (Non-Technical)

• Graduation/PG in relevant subjects
  (Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology)

• Age: 20–26 years

---

4. Salary & Perks

During Training

• Stipend: ₹56,100 per month

After Commissioning

• Pay Level 10: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500

• MSP: ₹15,500

• Additional allowances (as applicable):
  ✔ Flying Allowance
  ✔ Technical Allowance
  ✔ Transport Allowance
  ✔ Risk & Hardship Allowance
  ✔ Test Pilot/Flight Test Engineer Allowance

---

5. Application Fee

• AFCAT Entry: ₹550 + GST

• NCC Special Entry: No Fee

---

6. Selection Process

1. Written Examination (AFCAT Online)

• Objective MCQ-based test

• Subjects: GK, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning

• Extra EKT for Technical branch candidates

2. AFSB Testing

Stage I (Screening)

• Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test

• Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PP&DT)

• Document Verification

• Those who fail are sent back the same day.

Stage II

• Psychological Tests

• Group Tests

• Personal Interview

3. CPSS (For Flying Branch only)

• Computerised Pilot Selection System

• Once in a lifetime test

• Mandatory for Flying branch

4. Final Merit List

• Based on:
  ✔ AFCAT Written Marks
  ✔ AFSB Performance
  ✔ Medical fitness
  ✔ Branch preference
  ✔ Vacancy availability

---

7. Important Dates

Event	Date
Apply Online Begins	17 November 2025
Last Date to Apply	14 December 2025
AFCAT Exam Date	31 January 2026

---

8. How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Registration

• Visit afcat.edcil.co.in

• Register using email & mobile

• Receive User ID & Password

Step 2: Fill Application Form

• Personal Details

• Educational Details

• Upload Photo & Signature

• Choose branch preferences

• Make Payment (if applicable)

• Submit

Aadhaar card is mandatory.
Once submitted, details cannot be edited.