AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 Out: Vacancies, Syllabus, Eligibility Criteria and more 

Indian Air Force has recently released a notification announcing 340 vacancies for the posts of Group “A” Gazetted officers in Flying Branch and Ground Duty branches. The Air Force Common Admission Test is generally held twice a year. Aspirants seeking coveted positions in the Flying and Ground duty branches are advised to go through the following blog that provides a detailed,  comprehensive overview of this prestigious exam conducted by Indian Air Force.

AFCAT 1 Exam 2026 – Overview

AFCAT 1 2026  Important Dates

AFCAT 1 2026 Vacancy Details

AFCAT 1 2026 Application Process

• Visit the official website afcat.cdac.in. 

• Register for the exam by filling in essential details like candidate’s name, email Id, mobile no. etc. 

• Login with the registered personal details, necessary qualifications, experience, additional details and course preferences etc. 

• Upload all the required documents regarding qualifications, scanned photograph and signature in the designated places

• After successful uploading the documents, pay the fees and submit the application 

• Save the final application form for future references

AFCAT 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Nationality: 

Aspirants (for both flying and ground duty branches) must be of Indian origin according to Indian Citizenship Act, 1955. 

Age: 

1. Flying Branch- Candidates must be between 20 to 24 years of age as on 1st January 2027. Upper age limit for those holding valid and current commercial pilot license is relaxable up to 26 years. 

2. Ground Duty- Candidates must be between 20 to 26 years of age as on 1st January 2027. i.e. born between 2nd January 2001 to 1st January 2007. 

Marital Status: 

Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course and they are not allowed to get married during the course of training.

Date of Birth: 

The date of birth accepted by the IAF is that entered in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate. In case the certificate does not mention the date of birth, then in that case, a candidate is required to produce a self-attested copy of a certificate from the headmaster/Principal  of the institute from where he had passed his/her matriculation. 

Educational Qualifications: 

1. Flying Branch- 

i) Candidates should have passed 10+2 level with a minimum of 50% marks in Mathematics and Physics 

ii) Candidates must have passed a three year degree course from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks 

2. Ground Duty (Technical) Branch- Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics): 

i) Candidates with 50% of marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level

ii) Candidates must have passed MSc Electronics with 50% with BSc in Physics with a minimum of 60% or four-year degree graduation/post-graduation in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university

Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical): 

i)  Candidates must have passed 10+2 level with a minimum of 50% marks in Physics and Mathematics 

ii) Candidates must have completed a four year degree graduation/postgraduate qualification in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university

2. Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch- 

Weapons System Branch-

i) Candidates should have passed with a minimum of 50% marks in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level
ii) Graduation with a minimum of three year degree course in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks 

Accounts Branch-

i) Candidates must have passed 10+2 level and,
ii) Candidates must have completed graduation in B.Com/BBA/BMS/BBS with    

A minimum of 60% marks from a recognized university 

 Meteorology: 

i) Candidates should have passed 10+2 level with a minimum of 60% marks
ii) Candidates must have passed four year graduation in Engineering/Tech-nology with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent 

AFCAT 1 2026 Selection Process

Stage 1. Written Exam- This is the first stage of the AFCAT exam in which students are tested on their knowledge of general awareness, Verbal and Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test 

Stage 2. Interview- The second stage includes testing of shortlisted candidates by Air Force Selection Board (AFSB)

Stage 3. Document Verification- Verification of essential documents such as educational certificates, employment NOC etc. 

Stage 4. Medical Examination- Candidates must pass the medical examination in order to prove their suitability for the positions to which they are applying. 

Stage 5: Final Merit List- The final merit list will be prepared on the basis of the scores of AFCAT exam, performance in interview and medical examination.  

AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Pattern

Note:  3 marks for each correct answer

             -1 mark for each wrong answer

AFCAT 1 2026 Syllabus

English: Comprehension, cloze test, synonyms and antonyms, idioms and phrases, and Error spotting, sentence rearranging, one word substitution, fill in the blanks

General Awareness: Indian History, Polity, Economics, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Current Affairs, National and International Organizations, Science and technology, Defence 

Reasoning: Series, Venn Diagram, Syllogism, Blood Relation, Non Verbal questions, Verbal reasoning, military aptitude etc.

Numerical Ability: Number system, HCF and LCM, Time, Distance and Speed, Time and Work, Ratio and Proportion, Percentage, Average, Simple Interest and Compound Interest, Pipes And Cistern etc.

AFCAT 1 2026 Salary & Allowances

 Stipend during training: Rs. 56,100

Flying Allowance: Rs. 11,250

Technical Allowance: Rs. 2,500

MSP: Rs. 15,500

Other perks include DA, TA, CEA, Ration Money, etc.

AFCAT 1 2026 Admit Card & Result

Admit cards are to be released on the official website of the AFCAT. i.e. afcat.edcil.co.in. Candidates are requested to keep checking the website for regular updates. 

Cut off (Previous Years) 

AFCAT 1 2024: 137 | AFCAT 2 2024: 139

AFCAT 1 2023: 155 | AFCAT 2 2023: 151

AFCAT 1 2026 Preparation Tip

Smart preparation is essential to stay ahead of the rising competition and deal with the time constraint. A focused strategy, the right study plan, reliable resources and most importantly- determination are the key ingredients to foster success in AFCAT 2 2025 exam. To help you get started on the path to join the Indian air force, here are some tips.

Expert Preparation Tips for AFCAT 2 2025

1.   Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus Thoroughly

·   Begin by familiarizing yourself with the latest AFCAT 2 exam pattern and syllabus.

·   Break the syllabus into sections—English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, General Awareness, and Military Aptitude

·   Create a study calendar.

2.   Practice with Previous Year Question Papers

·   Solving AFCAT previous year papers is one of the best ways to assess your preparation  level and understand the type of questions asked.

·   This helps in identifying recurring topics and patterns in the exam.

3.   Focus on Time Management

·   With only 2 hours to answer 100 questions, managing your time efficiently during the exam is key.

·   Attempt mock tests regularly to improve your speed and accuracy.

·   Prioritize easier questions to ensure you secure marks before tackling challenging ones.

4.   Revise Regularly

·   Schedule weekly revisions to consolidate concepts, especially in General Knowledge, Current Affairs, and Quantitative Aptitude.

·  Create short notes or flashcards for quick revisions.

5.   Stay Updated with Current Affairs

·Stay updated with national and international news, focusing on the last 6–8 months  before the exam.

·Read newspapers, follow government reports, and use apps or online platforms for daily current affairs.

6.   Avoid Guesswork

·   Since there is negative marking, avoid random guesses. Attempt only those questions  where you are confident.

Check Last-30 days Preparation Strategy for AFCAT 2026 by clicking on the link provided here. 

Best study materials: 

Disha Publication offers a diverse range of reference books for AFCAT 2 2025 that are packed with syllabus-wise explanations of major topics and solution-based PYQs and MCQs that will help in navigating tough waters during your AFCAT preparation. 

FAQs

Q1. What is the application fee for AFCAT 2 2025?
Ans: The application fee for AFCAT 2 2025 is ₹550 for all candidates applying through the online mode.

Q2. What is the exam date for AFCAT 2 2025?
Ans: The AFCAT 2 2025 exam is expected to be conducted online on 23, 24 and 25 August 2025.

Q3. Is there negative marking in AFCAT 2 2025?
Ans: Yes, there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer in the AFCAT written test.

Q4. What is the selection process for AFCAT 2 2025?
Ans: The selection involves a written exam, AFSB interview, and medical examination. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) testing.

Q5. Who is eligible for AFCAT 2 2025?
Ans: Candidates must be Indian citizens aged between 20–24 years for the Flying Branch and up to 26 years for Ground Duty roles. Graduation in any stream (with Physics & Maths at 10+2 for Flying Branch) is mandatory. Engineering graduates are eligible for Technical branches.

Q6. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 2 2025?
Ans: The last date to submit the AFCAT 2 2025 application is 1st July 2025. Keep checking the official website afcat.cdac.in  for the exact deadline and schedule updates.

Q7. What is the cut-off for AFCAT 2025?
Ans: The AFCAT cut-off varies each cycle. For reference, AFCAT 1 2025 had a cut-off around 121 marks. The cut-off for AFCAT 2 2025 will be released after the exam.

Q8. How many times can I appear for AFCAT?
Ans: There is no official limit on the number of attempts, as long as the candidate fulfills the age and educational eligibility at the time of applying.

Q9. What is the syllabus and exam pattern of AFCAT 2 2025?
Ans: The AFCAT paper includes four sections: General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude. The total is 100 questions for 300 marks.