The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially released the AFCAT 02/2026 Notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) for courses commencing in July 2027. Both men and women Indian citizens are invited to apply for grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches. Online registration for AFCAT 02/2026 will open on 20th May 2026 at 11:00 AM (1100 hrs) and close on 19th June 2026 at 11:30 PM (2330 hrs) through the official website https://afcat.edcll.co.in.
Along with the AFCAT entry, online applications are also being invited for the NCC Special Entry Scheme (for Flying Branch) and GATE Score Entry (for Ground Duty Technical Branch). This is a golden opportunity for eligible graduates to serve the nation as Commissioned Officers in the Indian Air Force. Read this article for complete details on AFCAT 02/2026 including notification highlights, vacancies, eligibility, age limit, pay, selection process, and how to apply.
AFCAT 02/2026 Notification — Overview
- Organisation: Indian Air Force (IAF)
- Exam Name: Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2026
- Purpose: Grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) and Permanent Commission (PC)
- Branches: Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches
- Additional Entries: NCC Special Entry (Flying Branch) and GATE Score Entry (Ground Duty Technical)
- Course Commencement: July 2027
- Training Location: Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad
- Registration Opens: 20th May 2026 at 1100 hrs
- Registration Closes: 19th June 2026 at 2330 hrs
- Application Fee: Rs. 550/- + GST (for AFCAT entry only)
- Official Website: https://afcat.edcll.co.in
Check Official Notification PDF Here
Important Dates
- Online Registration Opens: 20th May 2026 (1100 hrs)
- Online Registration Closes: 19th June 2026 (2330 hrs)
- Course Commencement: First week of July 2027
- Training Venue: Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 — Vacancies
The following tentative vacancies are available under AFCAT 02/2026, NCC Special Entry, and GATE Score Entry for courses commencing in July 2027:
Important Disclaimer: All vacancies are tentative and subject to change without notice. Actual intake depends on organisational requirements, cadre control mechanisms, availability of training slots, and actual number of vacancies arising in July 2027. Two seats from Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vacancies are reserved for Law qualified candidates.
AFCAT 02/2026 — Type of Commission
Short Service Commission (SSC) for Men and Women:
For Flying Branch:
- Engagement period is 14 years from the date of commissioning.
For Ground Duty Technical and Non-Technical Branches:
- Initial tenure is 10 years.
- An extension of 4 years may be granted subject to service requirements, vacancies, willingness, suitability, and merit.
- Grant of Permanent Commission (PC) at a later date may be considered subject to service requirements and prevailing policies.
- SSC officers are NOT entitled for pension.
Permanent Commission (PC) for Men and Women:
- PC officers will continue to serve till the age of superannuation in their respective branches as per their rank.
AFCAT 02/2026 — Age Limit
Flying Branch:
- Minimum Age: 20 years, Maximum Age: 24 years as on 01 July 2027
- Eligible Date of Birth: 02 July 2003 to 01 July 2007 (both dates inclusive)
- Special Relaxation: Candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot License (CPL) issued by DGCA (India) — upper age limit relaxed to 26 years, i.e., born between 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007 (both dates inclusive)
Ground Duty Technical and Non-Technical Branches (AFCAT Entry and GATE Score Entry):
- Minimum Age: 20 years, Maximum Age: 26 years as on 01 July 2027
- Eligible Date of Birth: 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007 (both dates inclusive)
Also Read: India Post GDS 3rd Merit List 2026 OUT @indiapostgdsonline.gov.in, Download State-wise PDF Link Here
Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 — Educational Qualification
Educational qualification details, physical/medical standards, and selection procedure are available in the detailed notification on the official website https://afcat.edcll.co.in. Candidates are strongly advised to download the detailed notification and read it carefully before applying.
General guidance based on IAF norms:
For Flying Branch:
- Graduation with a minimum of 60% marks in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, AND a 3-year Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a recognised university, OR a B.E./B.Tech degree
For Ground Duty Technical Branch:
- B.E./B.Tech in approved engineering disciplines, OR Graduation with a science stream background as per IAF norms
For Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch:
- Graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks from a recognised university
AFCAT 02/2026 — Pay and Allowances
Pay on Commissioning (as per 7th CPC):
Rank: Flying Officer
- Pay Scale: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 (Level 10 Defence Pay Matrix)
- Military Service Pay (MSP): Rs. 15,500/- per month
Note: Flight Cadets during training will receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month during one year of training.
Allowances (over and above basic pay): Commissioned officers receive various allowances based on branch, nature of duty, and place of posting:
- Flying Allowance
- Transport Allowance
- Technical Allowance
- Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer Allowance
- Risk and Hardship Allowance
- And other applicable allowances
Application Fee
- AFCAT Entry: Rs. 550/- + GST (non-refundable)
- NCC Special Entry: No examination fee
- GATE Score Entry: No examination fee
Mode of payment is available on the official website https://afcat.edcll.co.in.
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How to Apply for AFCAT 02/2026
Eligible candidates must register online through the official AFCAT website. Separate registration is required for AFCAT Entry and NCC Special Entry. Candidates eligible for more than one entry must register separately for each entry.
Step 1: Visit the official AFCAT website at https://afcat.edcll.co.in on or after 20th May 2026 at 1100 hrs.
Step 2: Click on the appropriate registration tab — "AFCAT Entry" or "NCC Special Entry" as applicable.
Step 3: Complete the online registration by entering your personal details, educational qualification details, and uploading required documents.
Step 4: Ensure your Aadhaar Card details are entered accurately as Aadhaar is mandatory for registration.
Step 5: Pay the examination fee of Rs. 550/- + GST (applicable for AFCAT entry only) through the available online payment modes.
Step 6: Submit the application form. Note that information filled in the online application form will be considered final and no amendments will be allowed after submission. Candidates must exercise due care while entering their date of birth.
Step 7: Save and print the confirmation/application receipt for future reference.
Step 8: Keep your registered Email ID and mobile phone number active throughout the entire selection process, as all communications will be sent through these.
Important: Registration closes on 19th June 2026 at 2330 hrs. No applications will be accepted after the closing date.
FAQs
Q1. What is Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026?
Answer: AFCAT 02/2026 is the Air Force Common Admission Test notification released by the Indian Air Force for grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) and Permanent Commission (PC) in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches for courses commencing in July 2027.
Q2. When will AFCAT 02/2026 online registration open and close?
Answer: Online registration for AFCAT 02/2026 opens on 20th May 2026 at 1100 hrs and closes on 19th June 2026 at 2330 hrs through https://afcat.edcll.co.in.
Q3. What is the age limit for AFCAT 02/2026?
Answer: For the Flying Branch, the age limit is 20 to 24 years as on 01 July 2027 (born between 02 July 2003 to 01 July 2007). For Ground Duty branches, the age limit is 20 to 26 years as on 01 July 2027 (born between 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007).
Q4. What is the application fee for AFCAT 02/2026?
Answer: Candidates registering for AFCAT entry must pay Rs. 550/- + GST (non-refundable). Candidates registering for NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry do not need to pay any examination fee.
Q5. Can women apply for AFCAT 02/2026?
Answer: Yes. The Indian Air Force invites both men and women Indian citizens to apply for commissioned officer positions through AFCAT 02/2026 in Flying and Ground Duty branches.
Q6. What is the pay for a commissioned officer in IAF after AFCAT?
Answer: On commissioning as a Flying Officer, the pay is Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500 (Level 10 of Defence Pay Matrix) plus Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs. 15,500/- per month, along with applicable allowances.
Q7. What is the duration of training for AFCAT 02/2026?
Answer: Training for Flying Branch and Ground Duty Technical Branch is 62 weeks, and for Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch it is 50 weeks, at Air Force Training Establishments including Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad.
Q8. Is marriage allowed during IAF training after AFCAT?
Answer: No. Candidates must be unmarried at the time of course commencement, and marriage is strictly not permitted during the training period. Violation will result in discharge and recovery of training expenditure.
Q9. What is NCC Special Entry in AFCAT 02/2026?
Answer: NCC Special Entry is a special scheme for candidates who have NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' Certificate for grant of commission in the Flying Branch. It offers 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% of AFCAT vacancies for SSC. Candidates applying under NCC Special Entry do not need to pay examination fees.
Q10. Where can I get more information about AFCAT 02/2026?
Answer: Candidates can visit the official AFCAT website at https://afcat.edcll.co.in for the detailed notification, eligibility criteria, physical and medical standards, exam centres, and other details. For queries, contact the helpdesk at +91-9513252077 or afcathelpdesk@edcil.co.in.
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