The AFCAT 02/2026 recruitment notification has been officially released by the Indian Air Force (Bhartiya Vayu Sena) on its portal afcat.edcil.co.in. A total of 142 posts are on offer across Flying, Ground Duty Technical, and Ground Duty Non-Technical branches. If you've ever dreamed of serving in the Indian Air Force, this is your golden opportunity. The online application window opened on 20 May 2026 and will remain open until 19 June 2026. Don't miss the deadline — read every detail carefully before you fill out the form.
What is AFCAT 02/2026?
AFCAT stands for Air Force Common Admission Test. It is the gateway exam conducted by the Indian Air Force to recruit officers into its Flying, Ground Duty Technical, and Ground Duty Non-Technical branches. The AFCAT 02/2026 batch is the second cycle for the year 2026, and it opens recruitment for 142 posts — covering both male and female candidates.
This is a prestigious government job opportunity for candidates who want a career in defence. Alongside AFCAT, this notification also covers NCC Special Entry, Meteorology Entry, and GATE Score Entry routes — making it accessible to a wider pool of graduates.
Important Dates for AFCAT 02/2026
Here's what you need to know — missing any of these dates means losing your chance. Save them right now.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 19 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Exam Fee | 19 June 2026 |
| AFCAT Written Exam Date | 08 August 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Before Exam (exact date TBA) |
| Result Declaration | To Be Updated |
AFCAT 02/2026 Application Fee
The application fee is the same for all categories. Here's the breakdown:
All Category Candidates: ₹550/- (+ 18% GST applicable)
Payment Modes Accepted:
- ✅ Debit Card
- ✅ Credit Card
- ✅ Internet Banking
- ✅ IMPS
- ✅ Cash Card / Mobile Wallet
AFCAT 02/2026 Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as on 01 July 2027)
| Branch | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Flying Branch | 20 Years | 24 Years |
| Ground Duty Technical / Non-Technical | 20 Years | 26 Years |
Age relaxation for NCC Special Entry is applicable as per Indian Air Force regulations.
Educational Qualification
| Entry Type | Branch | Qualification Required |
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | Bachelor's Degree in any stream with Physics & Maths at 10+2 level, OR B.E/B.Tech |
| Ground Duty Technical | Aeronautical Engg. (Electronics) | Minimum 60% in Physics & Maths at 10+2 + 4-year Engineering/Integrated PG Degree |
| Ground Duty Technical | Aeronautical Engg. (Mechanical) | Minimum 60% in Physics & Maths at 10+2 + 4-year Degree in Mechanical/Aeronautical Engineering |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | Administration & Logistics | Bachelor's Degree in any stream with minimum 60% marks |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | Accounts | B.Com with minimum 60% marks |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' Certificate + Flying Branch eligibility |
| Meteorology Entry | Meteorology | Refer to official AFCAT notification for details |
| GATE Score Entry | GD Technical | Relevant engineering degree + valid GATE score |
Physical Eligibility
AFCAT 02/2026 – Branch-Wise Vacancy Details
Let's break this down — here's exactly how the 142 posts are distributed across branches:
| Entry Type | Post Code | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT | Flying | 30 | 05 | 35 |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | Admin | 50 | 12 | 62 |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | LGS | 04 | 02 | 06 |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | Accounts | 05 | 02 | 07 |
| GD Non-Technical | Education | 01 | 02 | 03 |
| GD Non-Technical | WS Branch | 21 | 05 | 26 |
| Meteorology Entry | Meteorology | 01 | 02 | 03 |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 10% seats from AFCAT vacancies (SSC) | ||
| GATE Score Entry | GD Technical | Details in official notification | ||
| Total Posts | 142 | |||
Mode of Selection – AFCAT 02/2026
The selection process for Indian Air Force AFCAT 02/2026 follows a multi-stage approach. Here's the thing — each stage is eliminatory, so you need to perform well at every step.
- Stage 1 Written Examination (AFCAT) – Scheduled on 08 August 2026
- Stage 2 Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview – Psychological & group tasks
- Stage 3 Document Verification – Originals checked against application
- Stage 4 Medical Examination – Fitness standards as per IAF norms
How to Apply Online for AFCAT 02/2026
Applying is straightforward — follow these steps carefully and you'll be done in under 20 minutes.
- Visit the official AFCAT website: afcat.edcil.co.in
- Click on the "Apply Online" link for AFCAT 02/2026
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number to create your login
- Fill in all personal, educational, and branch preference details accurately
- Upload your photograph, signature, and required documents in the specified format
- Pay the application fee of ₹550/- (+GST) using any online payment method
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page for your records
Required Documents for AFCAT 02/2026
Keep these ready before you begin your application. Having them scanned in advance saves a lot of last-minute hassle.
- 10th & 12th Marksheet / Certificate
- Graduation Degree / Provisional Certificate
- GATE Score Card (for GATE Entry candidates)
- NCC 'C' Certificate (for NCC Special Entry)
- Recent Passport-size Photograph
- Signature (on white paper)
- Aadhaar Card / Voter ID / Passport (any one)
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
AFCAT 02/2026 – Important Links
We've compiled all the direct links you need — no searching required.
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here to Apply |
| Download Official Notification | Download PDF |
| AFCAT Official Website | afcat.edcil.co.in |
| More Defence Jobs 2026 | Browse All Defence Recruitment 2026 |
Conclusion
Bottom line: AFCAT 02/2026 is a fantastic opportunity for any Indian graduate dreaming of an officer-level career in the Indian Air Force. With 142 posts spread across Flying and Ground Duty branches, there's something for candidates from multiple educational backgrounds. Apply before 19 June 2026 — don't let the deadline catch you off guard.
For more such government job opportunities, explore our complete list of defence jobs 2026 and stay updated with the latest sarkari exam notifications right here on Rojgarvala.in.