The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official notification for AFCAT 01/2026 Officer Entry Recruitment — a golden opportunity for aspirants to join the Air Force as commissioned officers. A total of approximately 340+ vacancies are available across various branches including Flying, Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical).
This post provides complete information on how to apply, eligibility criteria, selection process, and important timelines for AFCAT 01/2026.
📌 Vacancy Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Name | AFCAT 01/2026 Officer Entry |
| Total Vacancies | 340+ Officers |
| Job Type | Commissioned Officer in Indian Air Force |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in / upsc.gov.in |
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for AFCAT 01/2026, candidates must meet the following:
Age Limit
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Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years
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Ground Duty: 20 to 26 years
Age relaxation as per government norms applies.
Educational Qualifications
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Flying Branch:
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Minimum 60% + in Graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 or
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Engineering Degree from recognized college.
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Ground Duty (Technical):
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Engineering graduates in relevant streams.
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Ground Duty (Non-Technical):
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Graduation with minimum 60% marks.
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Note: Candidates must ensure they meet the specific branch requirements mentioned in the official notification before applying.
✍️ Selection Process
The selection for AFCAT 01/2026 follows a multi-stage process:
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AFCAT CBT (Online Exam)
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EKT Test (for technical posts)
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AFSB Interview
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Psychological test
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Group tasks
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Personal interview
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Medical Examination
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Final Merit List Based on Performance
📅 Important Dates
| Event | Date (Tentative/As per Notification) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | November 2025 |
| Online Application Start | November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | December 2025 |
| AFCAT Written Exam | January/February 2026 |
| AFSB Interview | March / April 2026 |
| Final Result | May / June 2026 |
📝 How to Apply Online
Follow these steps to complete your AFCAT 01/2026 application:
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Visit the official AFCAT website: afcat.cdac.in
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Go to the AFCAT 01/2026 registration link.
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Fill in personal and academic details correctly.
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Upload scanned documents & passport-size photo.
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Pay the application fee online.
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Preview and submit the form.
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Take a printout of the confirmation page.
💡 Tips to Prepare
✔ Understand the AFCAT syllabus and exam pattern.
✔ Practice previous year papers and mock tests.
✔ Strengthen GK, Maths, English, and Reasoning skills.
✔ Stay physically fit for the SSB stage.
✔ Plan revision time effectively for better performance.