AFCAT 1 2026 Notification Out: Apply Online from November 10 at afcat.cdac.in

Published: Sunday, November 9, 2025, 10:36 [IST]

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially released the AFCAT-I 2026 notification for the recruitment of Commissioned Officers in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. As per the notification, the AFCAT 1 2026 registration process will commence on November 10, 2025, and continue till December 9, 2025, through the official website - afcat.cdac.in.

AFCAT 1 2026 Notification Out: Apply Online — PTI Images

Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply online for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT-I 2026) to join the prestigious Indian Air Force as Group 'A' Gazetted Officers. The AFCAT 1 2026 exam is scheduled to be held in February 2026.

AFCAT-I 2026 Exam Notification Released

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced the AFCAT-I 2026 recruitment notification, inviting applications from eligible men and women for various branches, including Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical). The AFCAT exam is a national-level entrance test conducted twice a year to select candidates for Short Service Commission (SSC) and Permanent Commission (PC) roles in the Indian Air Force.

The detailed AFCAT 1 2026 notification PDF is now available on the official website - https://afcat.cdac.in. The notification includes complete details about eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, vacancies, important dates, and selection process.

AFCAT I 2026 - Important Dates:

Event	Date
Notification Release	November 9, 2025
Application Start Date	November 10, 2025
Last Date to Apply	December 9, 2025
Admit Card Release	January 2026 (Tentative)
Exam Date	February, 2026
Result Declaration	March, 2026 (Tentative)

AFCAT 1 2026: Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Flying Branch: Candidates must have passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics and hold a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks.

Ground Duty (Technical): Must possess a degree in Engineering or Technology from a recognized university.

Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Graduation with at least 60% marks or equivalent.

Age Limit (as on January 1, 2027)

Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years
Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years

AFCAT 1 2026: Application Process

Candidates can apply online through the official AFCAT portal from November 10 to December 9, 2025.

Steps to Apply:

1. Visit the official website - https://afcat.cdac.in.

2. Click on the 'AFCAT 01/2026 Registration' link.

3. Register using your email ID and mobile number.

4. Fill in personal, academic, and communication details.

5. Upload a recent passport-size photo, signature, and documents as per format.

6. Pay the application fee of ₹550 (plus GST).

7. Submit and download the confirmation page for future reference.

AFCAT 1 2026: Selection Process

The AFCAT selection procedure consists of multiple stages designed to evaluate the candidate's aptitude, physical fitness, and personality traits.

Online Written Examination (AFCAT/EKT)
AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) Interview
Medical Examination

Candidates who clear all stages will be selected for training at Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad.

AFCAT 1 2026: Exam Pattern

Section	Subjects Covered	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
General Awareness	Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity	25	75	2 Hours
Verbal Ability in English	Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension	25	75
Numerical Ability	Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry	18	54
Reasoning & Military Aptitude	Logical Reasoning, Spatial Ability	32	96
Total	----	100	300	2 Hours

Note: Candidates applying for the Technical Branch must also appear for the EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test), worth 50 questions (150 marks).

AFCAT 1 2026: Salary & Benefits

Selected candidates will receive an initial pay of approximately ₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500 per month under Level 10 of the Pay Matrix.

Other allowances include flying pay, technical pay, field area allowance, transport allowance, and uniform maintenance allowance.

AFCAT 1 2026: Training & Posting

Training Duration: Approximately 74 weeks for Flying and Technical branches; 52 weeks for Ground Duty (Non-Technical).

Training Venue: Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad.

Post successful training, candidates will be commissioned as Flying Officers in the Indian Air Force.

Direct Links

Official Notification PDF: https://afcat.cdac.in
Apply Online Link (Active from Nov 10): https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT
AFCAT Helpdesk: [email protected]

AFCAT 1 2026: Key Highlights

Total vacancies to be announced soon in the official PDF.
Online exam to be conducted in February 2026 across major cities in India.
Separate entry available for NCC Air Wing C certificate holders through NCC Special Entry.
Female candidates can apply for Short Service Commission (SSC) in all branches.

Conclusion

The AFCAT 1 2026 notification provides a golden opportunity for young aspirants to join the Indian Air Force and serve the nation with pride. Interested candidates should visit afcat.cdac.in and complete their online registration between November 10 and December 9, 2025. Candidates are advised to carefully go through the notification, understand eligibility, and prepare accordingly for the AFCAT 2026 written examination.