Indian Air Force will release the AFCAT 1 notification 2026 tentatively in November 2025. The AFCAT 2026 notification will be released on the official website at afcat.cdac.in. Along with the notification, the AFCAT 1 2026 application form will also be activated. IAF releases the AFCAT 1 application form 2026 in online mode only. Graduate applicants between 20 to 24 years of age will be eligible to apply for the flying branch of AFCAT 1 recruitment 2026.
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Candidates between the age limit 20 - 26 can apply for ground duty posts. Applicants will have to check AFCAT 1 eligibility before filling up the application form. Applicants can also make corrections to their AFCAT 1 2026 application within the prescribed time limit by paying correction fees. Those who submit their applications successfully will be issued AFCAT 1 admit card 2026. To know more about AFCAT 2026 exam read the full article.
Candidates can check details about the AFCAT 1 exam 2026 from the below table.
Particulars | Details |
Full Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test |
Short Exam Name | AFCAT |
Exam Conducting Authority | Indian Air Force |
Frequency of Conduct | Two Times A Year |
Languages | English |
Mode of Application | Online |
Application Fee (General) | Rs 550 (Online) |
Mode of Exam | Online |
Mode of Counselling | Online/Offline |
Exam Duration |
|
Exam Level | National |
Educational Qualification | Graduation |
AFCAT Age Limit |
|
Exam Stages |
|
Total Vacancies | AFCAT 1 2026 - To be announced |
AFCAT 1 Posts |
|
The exam conducting authority releases important dates of AFCAT 2026 on the official website. Candidates can also check the AFCAT 1 2026 exam dates and other dates from the below table.
Events | AFCAT 1 Dates 2026 |
AFCAT 1 short notification | To be announced |
Application form release date of AFCAT 1 2026 | To be announced |
The last date to submit the AFCAT 1 application form | To be announced |
AFCAT 1 application form and correction window | To be announced |
AFCAT 1 2026 admit card release date | To be announced |
AFCAT exam date 2026 | To be announced |
AFCAT 1 2026 result date | To be announced |
| AFCAT 1 Answer key 2026 | To be announced |
AFCAT 1 cut-off date | To be announced |
AFSB 2026 notification release date | To be announced |
Final merit list of AFCAT 1 2026 | To be announced |
AFSB Interview dates 2026 | To be announced |
Declaration of final results | To be announced |
The Indian Air Force prescribes AFCAT 1 2026 eligibility criteria in the official notification. Before applying for AFCAT 1 2026 exam, candidates must go through the age limit, nationality and educational qualifications carefully detailed below.
Nationality - Aspirants must be a citizen of India as per Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
AFCAT Age Limit - 1) Flying Branch - 20-24 years as of January 1, 2026 i.e., born between January 2, 2000 to January 1, 2006. The upper age limit for aspirants holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA is given relaxation up to 26 years.
2) Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) branches - 20 to 26 years as of January 1, 2026 i.e., born between January 2, 2000 to January 1, 2006.
Educational Qualifications
Branch | Sub-Branch | Educational Qualification |
Ground Duty Technical Branch | Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) | Must have a minimum 50% of aggregate marks in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and a four-year degree in Graduation in Engineering and Technology from a recognized University. Or Those who have passed the Associate membership institution of Engineers (India) exam in both A & B sections) with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks in certain subjects as prescribed by the Indian Air Force. |
Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) | Must have a minimum 50% of aggregate marks in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and a four-year degree in Graduation in Engineering and Technology from a recognized University. Or Those who have passed the Associate membership institution of Engineers (India) exam in both A & B sections) with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks in certain subjects as prescribed by the Indian Air Force. | |
Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branches) | Administration | Must have passed Graduation with 60% aggregate marks from a recognized University or should have cleared A & B examination with 60% aggregate marks. |
Weapon System Branch | Must have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks in Maths and Physics Or Must have passed Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University with 60% aggregate marks. Or Must have B.Tech. degree with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks from a recognized University. |
IAF releases the AFCAT 1 application form in online mode. The AFCAT 1 2026 application form link will be activated in online mode on at afcat.cdac.in. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can fill up the AFCAT 1 application form 2026 until the last date. To submit the application form of AFCAT 1 2026 successfully, candidates need to pay an application fee irrespective of gender and category. IAF provides the AFCAT 1 2026 application form correction facility in online mode for a certain time period.
Step 1: Registration Process
Tap on the link provided below.
A new window will appear. New users need to register first.
Tap on the New User Register.
A new page will be displayed to enter your mobile number and email to register yourself.
An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number and email, enter and tap on Submit.
An AFCAT login ID and password will be sent to your registered mobile number and email address.
Step 2: Login Process to fill up the Application Form
Log in by using the Registration number and password. Choose the post.
Enter other information like educational information depending upon the educational qualification of the candidate.
Pay the examination fee as applicable by using an online Debit/Credit card or Internet Banking.
Aspirants are needed to upload their scanned colour photograph and signature in (English or Hindi) in JPEG format.
Tap on the link “Upload” and then, upload scanned files.
Then, you need to upload all required certificates.
Submit the application.
Before submission, candidates need to pay an application fee of Rs 250.
Download and take two or three prints out of the acknowledgement form for future reference.
Indian Air Force provides the AFCAT 1 2026 exam pattern in the official notification. Candidates need to appear first on the AFCAT 1 2026 written exam conducted in computer-based mode. The AFCAT 1 written exam pattern 2026 will consist of 100 MCQ questions with 300 marks asked from various subjects such as General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude.
Aspirants who have applied for Ground Duty Technical Branch posts must appear in the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) in which 50 questions of 150 marks will be asked from subjects like Mechanical, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics. To know more about AFCAT 1 exam pattern 2026, check the table given below.
Exam | Subject | Duration | Number of Questions | Marks |
AFCAT | General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning, Military Aptitude | 120 minutes | 100 | 300 |
EKT (for Ground Duty Technical Branch Only) | Mechanical, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics | 45 minutes | 50 | 150 |
AFSB stage 1 test includes two sub-exams to pass which are Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIT) and Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT). The AFCAT State 1 exam is called the Screening test. Those who don’t clear it will be rejected and won’t be called for AFSB stage 2 testing. However, Stage 2 aspirants have to clear a few tests like psychological tests, group tests, AFSB interviews, and computerised pilot selection system (CPSS) tests.
Indian Air Force prescribed AFCAT 1 2026 syllabus in the official notification. The related topics and subjects from which questions will be asked in the AFCAT 1 exam and EKT exam are provided in the AFCAT 1 syllabus PDF 2026. For the AFCAT 1 syllabus 2026, go through the table given below.
Subjects | Topics |
AFCAT English Syllabus |
|
AFCAT General Awareness Syllabus |
|
AFCAT Numerical Ability Syllabus |
|
Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | Verbal Skills and Spatial Ability |
Subjects | Topics |
Computer Science Engineering |
|
Mechanical Engineering |
|
Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
|
The Indian Air Force also provides the list of AFCAT 1 2026 exam centres in the official notification. AFCAT 1 2026 exam is conducted in almost 100 different cities all over the country. The number of centres in any particular city may change based on the number of candidates’ choices for that city. Aspirants will have to enter their choice exam centre on the AFCAT 1 application form 2026 while filling it.
The exam conducting authority issues the AFCAT 1 2026 admit card on the official website. The AFCAT 1 admit card 2026 is released separately for the online MCQ test and AFSB interview. Aspirants who successfully submit their application forms can download AFCAT 1 2026 hall ticket by using their login credentials like registration number and password. The important details mentioned in the admit card of AFCAT 1 2026 are roll number, candidate’s name, registration number, photograph and signature, category, examination date and time, exam venue, etc. It is compulsory for candidates to take the AFCAT 1 hall ticket 2026 along with a valid photo identity card otherwise they won’t be allowed to enter the examination hall.
Different coaching institutes release the AFCAT 1 2026 exam analysis here after the conclusion of the exam. AFCAT 1 exam analysis 2026 is prepared by coaching institute experts based on aspirants’ feedback who will appear in the exam. Candidates can check the types of questions asked, difficulty level, good attempts, etc. with the help of AFCAT 1 2026 paper analysis. Aspirants can check AFCAT 1 paper analysis 2026 prepared by the Careers360 team here after the conclusion of the exam.
IAF releases the AFCAT 1 answer key on the official website. The AFCAT 1 answer key 2026 will be available for a certain time period. Some eminent coaching institutes release the unofficial AFCAT 1 2026 answer key and memory-based questions here after the exam. So, aspirants can refer to the unofficial AFCAT 1 answer key 2026 to evaluate their performance, calculate their expected score and know their chances of qualifying for the AFCAT 1 2026 exam.
Candidates can boost their preparations with the help of previous years' AFCAT 1 question papers to clear the online test on the first attempt. AFCAT 1 questions papers 2026 will help aspirants to get an idea about the types of questions asked, difficulty level, marking scheme, pattern, etc. Candidates can also improve their time management skills by practising with AFCAT 1 previous years' papers.
Indian Air Force declares the AFCAT 1 2026 result in online mode at afcat.cdac.in. AFCAT results are announced separately for each stage - AFCAT 1 online test and the AFSB interview. However, the final result will be released after the completion of all stages. Candidates who qualify for the AFCAT 1 2026 online test will be able to access the AFSB interview link from IAF’s official website.
AFCAT 1 cut-off is the minimum mark required by aspirants to qualify for a particular stage of the AFCAT 1 2026 exam. The cut off will also be released along with the AFCAT 1 result. The exam conducting authority will release the AFCAT 1 2026 cut off separately for each stage of the exam for shortlisting candidates to the next stage. The final AFCAT 1 cut off will be released by the exam conducting authority after the medical exam to enroll candidates for different branches of AFCAT 1 2026.
The Indian Air Force provides AFCAT 1 selection process 2026 online on the official website. The selection process of AFCAT 1 2026 will have three stages. Aspirants who qualify for all stages will be selected for the applied AFCAT 1 posts detailed in the official notification. The three stages of the AFCAT 1 selection process are
Online Test
AFSB Interview
Medical Test
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
AFCAT 1 application form 2026 will be released tentatively in November 2025 by the Indian Air Force online at afcat.cdac.in.
AFCAT 1 2026 exam is conducted in online mode at various exam centres across the country.
The AFCAT 1 2026 vacancies will be notified soon.
AFCAT 1 2026 exam date has not yet been announced.
Indian Air Force conducts the AFCAT 2026 exam twice a year.
As per the 7th Pay Commission, the salary of AFCAT 1 2026 selected flight cadets will range from Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
You can refer to the article mentioned below regarding the career options after a Bachelor of Computer Applications
Career opportunities after BCA
For Flying Branch through AFCAT , B.Tech is not compulsory. You can apply with a BSc degree in Physics & Maths in 12th, or any graduation degree with a minimum of 60% marks.
Hey! Since your date of birth is 07 Nov 2006 and you will complete graduation in 2029, here’s how many chances you’ll get for CDS (INA, IMA, AFA) and AFCAT:
For CDS exams, the age limit is usually 19–24 years.
For AFCAT, Flying Branch requires 20–24 years and Ground Duty
If your date of birth is in October two thousand two and as of twenty fifth June two thousand twenty five you are about twenty two years and eight months old then you are within the age limit for AFCAT eligibility The eligibility criteria for the flying branch through AFCAT
Hello aspirant,
To choose applicants for admission to the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches, the Indian Air Force administers the AFCAT exam. Given the high volume of applications for the AFCAT exam, students must adhere to a solid study plan in order to pass. The AFCAT
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