AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Date: Admit Card (Jan 22), Syllabus, Pattern, Question Paper
AFCAT is an entrance examination which is conducted by the Indian Air Force twice a year. Candidates are selected for multiple posts in Flying and Ground Duty [Technical and Non-Technical]. AFCAT 1 2026 notification is released for 340 vacancies. Get complete details on the AFCAT eligibility criteria, vacancy, selection process, exam pattern, and other necessary details.
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam
The Air Force Common Admission Test commonly known as AFCAT is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Indian Air Force. Candidates are selected for multiple posts in Flying and Ground Duty [Technical and Non-Technical]. Candidates who have submitted their application forms for AFCAT 1 Exam will be able to appear for the exam scheduled for 31st January, 2026.. As per the latest update, the AFCAT 1 2026 exam city intimation has been sent to candidates on their registered email ID and mobile number. Candidates must check the same and make necessary travel arrangements accordingly. Candidates may also log on to the application portal to view their Exam City details. This is not the admit card intimation; admit cards will be issued separately.
AFCAT exam is held twice a year by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for multiple posts in Flying and Ground Duty [Technical and Non-Technical]. Both men and women can apply for this defence exam. The AFCAT exam allows the candidates to serve the nation by qualifying the written exam, AFSB test. Serving as an Air Force officer is a dream for over lakhs of candidates. Read this post to get complete details about AFCAT 1 2026 exam such as eligibility criteria, vacancy, selection process, exam pattern, syllabus and more.
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Summary
IAF shall conduct the AFCAT 1 2026 exam for Ground Duty (Non-Technical and Technical) and in the Flying Branch. Check the major highlights of the AFCAT exam in the table below.
| AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Highlights | |
| Name of the Exam | AFCAT 1 2026 Exam |
| Conducted by | Indian Air Force |
| Post Name | Ground Duty (Non-Technical and Technical) and Gazetted Officers in Flying Branches |
| Vacancies | 340 |
| Exam Level | National |
| Frequency of the exam | Twice a year |
| Category | |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer Based Test) |
| Total Number of Questions | 100 |
| Medium of the exam | English |
| Selection Process | Written test- AFSB Test- Medical Examination |
| Official Website | https://afcat.edcil.co.in/ |
AFCAT 2026 Exam Date
The AFCAT 1 2026 notification was issued on 9th November, 2025. The exam is scheduled for 31st January, 2026. The important dates related to AFCAT exam is shared in the table below.
| Events | Dates |
| AFCAT Notification 2026 | 9th November, 2025 |
| Commencement of Application Form | 17th November, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 19th December, 2025 |
| AFCAT Admit Card 2026 | January 2026 (Expected) |
| AFCAT Exam Date 2026 | 31st January, 2026 |
| AFCAT 2026 Result | -- |
| Course Commences From | January 2027 |
AFCAT 1 Admit Card 2026
Candidates who have applied successfully for the AFCAT 1 exam can download the AFCAT admit card from the official website soon. The admit card is expected to be released in January 2026 tenatively for the exam scheduled for 31st January. . The admit card is an important piece of document that allows one to appear for the exam.
AFCAT 1 2026 Notification
IAF released the AFCAT 1 Notification 2026 on its website on 9th November, 2025. . All the eligible male and female candidates can apply for the AFCAT exam up to 19th December, 2025. The exam shall be held in on 31st January, 2026. You can download the AFCAT 1 notification PDF by clicking on the link that is shared below.
| AFCAT 1 2026 notification |
AFCAT 2026 Vacancy
IAF has a total of 340 vacancies in the AFCAT Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical branches). Check the branch wise vacancy in the table below.
| Entry | Branch | Course Number | Vacancies (Men PC) | Vacancies (Women PC) | Vacancies (Men SSC) | Vacancies (Women SSC) |
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 221/27F/SSC/M&W | -- | -- | 34 | 4 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | 220/27T/PC/110AEC/M&W | AE(L): 03 | AE(L): 03 | AE(L): 100 | AE(L): 23 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | 220/27T/SSC/110AEC/M&W | AE(M): 09 | AE(M): 03 | AE(M): 38 | AE(M): 09 |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 220/27G/SSC/M&W | -- | -- | Weapon Systems (WS) Branch: 21 Admin: 48 Lgs: 09 Accts: 08 Edn: 02 Met: 01 | Weapon Systems (WS) Branch: 05 Admin: 12 Lgs: 02 Accts: 02 Edn: 02 Met: 02 |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 221/27F/PC/M and 221/27F/SSC/M&W | -- | -- | 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC -- | |
How to Apply for AFCAT 1 2026 Exam?
AFCAT 1 2026 application form has to be filled online Only. The candidates who fulfill the AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria could apply for it through the official website which is https://afcat.edcil.co.in.. Alternatively, you can also follow the steps that have been mentioned here to apply for the exam.
Steps to Apply for AFCAT 2026 Exam
Step 1- Registration Process
- Visit the official website of AFCAT.
- If you are a new user click on the “New User Registration” link.
- Register yourself using the details asked.
- An OTP will be sent to you registered email Id and mobile number.
Step 2- Login
- Login for AFCAT exam using the Registration Number and Password and select the post for which you wish to apply.
- Fill up the details asked such as qualification, communication details, etc.
- Upload the required documents and pay the application fee.
- Submit the application and make sure to take a print out of the form for further use.
AFCAT 1 2026 Application Fee
Candidates are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of Rs. 550/- + 18% GST (non-refundable) (not-applicable for NCC special entry)
AFCAT 2026 Eligibility
AFCAT exam eligibility consists of fulfilling the age limit, qualification, marital status and more. Candidates must go through the technical and non-technical AFCAT eligibility before they apply for the exam.
AFCAT Age Limit as
The age limit for AFCAT exam for flying and Ground Duty are as follows.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
| Flying Branch through AFCAT & NCC Special Entry | 20 years | 24 years |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch | 26 years |
Marital Status for AFCAT Exam
Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course and marriage is not permitted during training. A candidate who marries during the period of training shall be discharged and will be liable to refund all expenditure incurred on him/her by the Government.
AFCAT Qualification
Candidates must have passed their Graduation from a recognized university to be able to appear for the AFCAT exam. The Category wise educational qualification has been mentioned in the following table.
| AFCAT Category | AFCAT Qualification |
| Flying Branch | Candidates should have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level and Graduation with minimum three years degree course in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. OR BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. OR Candidates who have cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
|
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches | 10+2 and Graduate Degree (Minimum 3 years degree course) in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks. |
| Ground Duty (Technical) Branch | Minimum 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and a minimum of four years degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/ Technology from a recognized University. |
Download AFCAT Previous Year Papers
AFCAT 2026 Selection Process
The AFCAT 2026 selection process consists of three phases – Online Exam, AFSB Interview and Final Selection after Medical Test.
- Computer-Based Test: The AFCAT CBT is the first stage of the selection process. The CBT is an objective paper and is mandatory for every candidate who is willing to join the Air Force.
- AFSB Test: Candidates who qualify the AFCAT CBT shall be called to appear for the interview or the personality test.
- Medical Examination: Lastly, a medical exam will be held to know if the candidate is physically and mentally fit to be appointed as Air Force officer.
AFCAT 2026 Exam Pattern
AFCAT exam consists of objective type of questions. There shall be two sections in the AFCAT exam. Given below is the AFCAT exam pattern that will help you to strategize your preparation for the exam.
- AFCAT Written Exam will be conducted in English Medium only.
- Each question will consist of 3 marks.
- 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
- It comprises 100 objective-type questions worth 300 marks.
- The exam duration shall be 2 hours.
| Exam | Type | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Time |
| AFCAT | Compulsory | General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test, Numerical Ability | 100 | 300 | 2 hr |
Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview
Indian Air Force (IAF) will prepare a list of candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the Online AFCAT Exam and will be called at one of the Air Force Selection Boards (AFSB).
AFCAT 2026 Result
AFCAT 1 Result will be declared at its official website - afcat.cdac.in. Candidates can check their score and AFSB Interview Dates. Candidates need to select the DATE and VENUE for AFSB Testing themselves within a stipulated time. After that IAF allot the venue randomly to the candidates who fail to choose their date and venue.
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