AFCAT 02/2026 Notification Out from 20 May 2026
AFCAT 02/2026 has opened one of the most prestigious officer-level career paths in India — a Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer position in the Indian Air Force. The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted twice a year by the Indian Air Force to recruit men and women into the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. This article covers everything confirmed about AFCAT 02/2026 — vacancies, eligibility, salary, exam pattern, and the current status of the recruitment cycle.
Table of Contents
What Is AFCAT 02/2026?
If you are looking for complete details about the entry requirements, the AFCAT 02/2026 Notification provides all the essential information regarding branches and eligibility.
As the second recruitment cycle of the year, AFCAT 02/2026 invites online applications for Commissioned Officer roles across the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches, including opportunities through NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. Candidates who successfully qualify will be commissioned as Flying Officers, with training for these courses scheduled to begin in July 2027.
AFCAT 02/2026 Overview
Candidates who are planning to apply for future cycles should carefully review the official AFCAT 02/2026 Notification to understand the selection process.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 02/2026) |
| Total Vacancies | 379 (Tentative) |
| Branches | Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non-Technical) |
| Entry Types | AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry, GATE Score Entry |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | https://afcat.cdac.in |
Current Status of AFCAT 02/2026
- Application Status: The online application window for AFCAT 02/2026 is now closed, with the extended deadline having passed on 21 June 2026.
- Upcoming Exam: Candidates who have successfully applied should regularly monitor the official AFCAT website for admit card releases, as the written examination is scheduled for 8 August 2026.
- Future Opportunities: For those who missed this cycle, remember that the Indian Air Force conducts the AFCAT exam twice annually (AFCAT 01 and AFCAT 02). We recommend bookmarking the official AFCAT portal to stay updated on future notifications regarding the next AFCAT 02/2026 notification cycle.
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, ensure you meet all requirements mentioned in the AFCAT 02/2026 Notification, including age limits and educational qualifications
Nationality
- Candidates must be citizens of India
Educational Qualification
- Flying Branch: Graduate with minimum prescribed marks, having studied Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, or holding a BE/B.Tech degree in any discipline
- Ground Duty (Technical): Relevant engineering degree as specified for the sub-branch, or a valid GATE score under GATE Score Entry
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Graduate degree in any discipline with minimum prescribed marks
Age Limit (as on 1 July 2027)
- Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years, relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by DGCA (India)
- Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical), including GATE Score Entry: 20 to 26 years, applicable to both men and women candidates
Application Fee
The AFCAT 02/2026 application fee is ₹550 for all categories. The fee must be paid online through debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking, and is non-refundable once submitted.
Selection Process
Selection under AFCAT 02/2026 involves multiple stages designed to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge, aptitude, and overall suitability for officer-level roles:
- AFCAT Written Exam – An objective-type online test covering English, Reasoning, Numerical Ability, General Awareness, and Military Aptitude. Each correct answer carries 3 marks, with 1 mark deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates applying for Ground Duty (Technical) must additionally clear the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).
- AFSB Testing (Air Force Selection Board) – Candidates who qualify the written exam are shortlisted for AFSB testing, conducted in two stages:
- Stage 1: Officer Intelligence Rating Test, along with Picture Perception and Discussion Test
- Stage 2: Psychological Test, Group Tests, and a Personal Interview
- Medical Examination – A fitness test to confirm medical eligibility for officer training
- All India Merit List – Final selection is based on performance across all stages combined into an All India Merit List
Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry are directly called for AFSB testing, bypassing the written exam stage.
Salary and Benefits
Officers selected through AFCAT 02/2026 are commissioned with a competitive pay package under the 7th Central Pay Commission:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Stipend during Training | ₹56,100 per month (Flight Cadets, for the training duration) |
| Starting Basic Pay (on Commissioning) | Pay Level 10: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500, plus Military Service Pay (MSP) |
| Training Duration | Approx. 62 weeks (Flying & Ground Duty Technical); 50 weeks (Ground Duty Non-Technical) |
| Insurance | Air Force Group Insurance Society (AFGIS) cover of ₹1.25 crore for death in service |
Beyond salary, officers commissioned through AFCAT 02/2026 receive accommodation benefits, medical facilities, and other allowances depending on branch and posting.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 12 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 20 May 2026 (11:00 hrs) |
| Original Closing Date | 19 June 2026 |
| Extended Closing Date | 21 June 2026 (23:30 hrs) |
| AFCAT Written Exam | 8 August 2026 (Saturday) |
Current Status of AFCAT 02/2026
Future Opportunities: For those who missed this cycle, remember that the Indian Air Force conducts the AFCAT exam twice annually (AFCAT 01 and AFCAT 02). We recommend bookmarking the official AFCAT portal to stay updated on future notifications.
Application Status: The online application window for AFCAT 02/2026 is now closed, with the extended deadline having passed on 21 June 2026.
Upcoming Exam: Candidates who have successfully applied should regularly monitor the official AFCAT website for admit card releases, as the written examination is scheduled for 8 August 2026.
How to Apply (For Reference / Future Cycles)
- Visit the official AFCAT website: afcat.cdac.in (or afcat.edcil.co.in)
- Register using a valid email ID and mobile number to generate your Registration Number — preserve this carefully for future reference
- Log in and fill in personal, educational, and branch preference details carefully
- Upload the required documents as specified in the notification
- Pay the application fee of ₹550 online via debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking
- Review all details carefully before final submission — edits are not permitted after submission
- Print the completed application form for your records
Frequently Asked Questions
Candidates meeting the age requirements in the AFCAT 02/2026 Notification are eligible
1. How many vacancies are there under AFCAT 02/2026?
379 vacancies (tentative) across the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches, including NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry.
2. Is the application window for AFCAT 02/2026 still open?
No, the online application window closed on 21 June 2026 (the extended deadline).
3. When is the AFCAT 02/2026 written exam scheduled?
8 August 2026 (Saturday).
4. What is the age limit for the Flying Branch under AFCAT 02/2026?
20 to 24 years as on 1 July 2027, relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence.
5. What is the age limit for Ground Duty branches?
20 to 26 years as on 1 July 2027, applicable to both men and women.
6. What is the application fee for AFCAT 02/2026?
₹550, applicable to all categories, payable online.
7. What is the selection process for AFCAT 02/2026?
A written exam, followed by AFSB testing (Officer Intelligence Rating Test, Picture Perception and Discussion Test, Psychological Test, Group Tests, and Interview), a medical examination, and final selection via an All India Merit List.
8. Is B.Tech mandatory to apply for the Flying Branch?
No. Candidates can apply for the Flying Branch with a BSc degree (having studied Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or any graduation degree with minimum prescribed marks — a B.Tech is not compulsory.
9. What is the starting salary after commissioning?
Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) plus Military Service Pay and other applicable allowances, along with a training stipend of ₹56,100 per month during the training period.
10. How often is AFCAT conducted?
The Indian Air Force conducts AFCAT twice a year, typically in cycles referred to as AFCAT 01 and AFCAT 02.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official AFCAT Application Portal | Click Here |
| Official Indian Air Force Careers Site | Click Here |
More Updates
| Title | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Links – Assam Job Update | Click Here |
| Official Forms & Syllabus Links | Click Here |
| RRB NTPC CBTST Result 2026 | Click Here |
| IAF Agniveer Vayu Recruitment 2026 | Click Here |
| SCPS Assam Recruitment 2026 | Click Here |
Disclaimer:
This article on AFCAT 02/2026 is compiled from the official Indian Air Force notification and cross-verified with publicly available sources at the time of writing. Vacancy numbers, dates, and eligibility criteria are subject to change at IAF’s discretion. Candidates are strongly advised to check afcat.cdac.in directly for the latest official updates before relying on any third-party information.
Note: Stay updated by bookmarking this page for the latest news on AFCAT 02/2026.
Prakash Powrel is the Founder & Editor of Assam Job Update. He is dedicated to helping students and job seekers across Assam and Northeast India by publishing verified Government Jobs, Private Jobs, Admissions, Results, Scholarships, and Career updates based on official notifications and trusted sources.
