The Indian Air Force has officially released the AFCAT 1 Notification 2026, announcing 340 vacancies for Commissioned Officers in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical). The notification is now available at afcat.edcil.co.in.
If you’ve been dreaming of joining the Indian Air Force, this is your chance to step forward and serve the nation. Read on for complete details about vacancies, eligibility, exam date, application process, and more.
Overview
The AFCAT 1 2026 exam offers candidates an opportunity to join the Air Force Academy as commissioned officers starting January 2027. This recruitment includes both AFCAT Entry and NCC Special Entry. Here’s a quick look at the key highlights.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | AFCAT 1 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force |
| Vacancies | 340 |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty (Tech/Non-Tech) |
| Course Start Date | January 2027 |
| Application Start | 17 November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 December 2025 |
| Exam Date | 31 January 2026 |
| Official Website | afcat.edcil.co.in |
Vacancies
AFCAT 1 2026 offers a total of 340 vacancies. These include Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) roles. The positions are available for both men and women through Short Service Commission (SSC) and Permanent Commission (PC), as applicable.
| Entry Type | Branch | Men (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | — | 34 | 4 |
| Ground Duty Technical (AE-L) | 3 | 100 | 23 | |
| Ground Duty Technical (AE-M) | 9 | 38 | 9 | |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical (Admin, Lgs, Accts, Edn, WS) | — | Admin: 18, Lgs: 9, Accts: 8, Edn: 2, WS: 21 | Admin: 12, Lgs: 2, Accts: 2, Edn: 2, WS: 5 | |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 10% of CDSE vacancies (PC) | 10% of AFCAT vacancies (SSC) | — |
Dates
Make sure to track these important dates related to AFCAT 1 2026:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 17 November 2025 (11:00 AM) |
| Application Last Date | 14 December 2025 (11:30 PM) |
| AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Date | 31 January 2026 (Saturday) |
| Course Commencement | January 2027 |
Eligibility
Candidates must be Indian citizens.
Age Limit (as on 1 January 2027)
- Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years
- Ground Duty (Tech/Non-Tech): 20 to 26 years
Educational Qualification
- Flying Branch: 10+2 with Physics & Maths and graduation with 60% marks
- Ground Duty (Tech): Degree in Engineering or Technology
- Ground Duty (Non-Tech): Graduation in any stream with 60% marks
Application
Applications must be submitted online through the official portal afcat.edcil.co.in. The process will begin on 17 November 2025. Candidates should keep scanned documents, photo, and payment details ready.
How to Apply:
- Visit afcat.edcil.co.in
- Click on “AFCAT 1 2026 Apply Online”
- Register using email and mobile number
- Fill in personal and academic details
- Upload documents (photo, signature, certificates)
- Pay the application fee (₹550 approx)
- Submit and take a printout
Selection
The selection process includes:
- Online Written Exam (AFCAT)
- AFSB Interview
- Medical Examination
Candidates clearing all three stages will be inducted as Flying Officers after training at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad.
Pattern
The AFCAT written test will be held online and will include 100 questions worth 300 marks. The EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) is compulsory for technical branch applicants.
AFCAT Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 20 | 60 |
| Verbal Ability | 30 | 90 |
| Numerical Ability | 15 | 45 |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | 35 | 105 |
| Total | 100 | 300 |
- Duration: 2 hours
- Marking: +3 for correct, -1 for wrong answer
EKT (For Technical Branch)
| Total Questions | 50 |
| Maximum Marks | 150 |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
EKT is conducted immediately after AFCAT on the same day.
Salary
Candidates selected through AFCAT are appointed as Flying Officers with the following pay structure:
- Pay Level: Level 10 (as per 7th CPC)
- Basic Pay: ₹56,100 per month
- Total Package: Up to ₹1,77,500 including MSP and allowances
- Perks: Flying/Technical Allowance, DA, HRA, medical, and more
FAQs
When is AFCAT 1 2026 exam scheduled?
The exam will be held on 31 January 2026.
How many vacancies in AFCAT 1 2026?
A total of 340 vacancies are announced.
What is the AFCAT 1 2026 application fee?
The fee is expected to be ₹550 including GST.
Who can apply for Flying Branch?
Graduates with Physics and Maths in 10+2 and 60% marks.
What is AFCAT 1 2026 pay scale?
Flying Officers earn ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month.
