Indian Air Force conducts the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) twice a year. Candidates will be able to check the AFCAT 2026 notification on the official website at afcat.cdac.in. The AFCAT notification 2026 will consist of all the essential information related to the examination like dates, eligibility criteria, vacancy, and more.
The AFCAT exam 2026 is conducted to recruit potential candidates for the flying branch and ground duty, which will be for technical and non-technical posts. Those who get selected in the AFCAT exam will be appointed as Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers. Check the below article to know more about the AFCAT 2026 exam -
AFCAT 2026 - Overview
Full Exam Name
Air Force Common Admission Test
Short Exam Name
AFCAT
Conducting Body
Indian Air Force
Exam Level
Central Level level
Languages
English
Number of vacancies
TBA
Mode of Application
Online
Application Fee (General)
Rs 550 +GST (Online)
Written Exam
Online
AFSB Interview
Offline
Exam Duration
2 Hours
AFCAT 2026 Exam Dates
IAF will announce the AFCAT exam dates in the official notification. Any information regarding the AFCAT exam dates 2026 will be intimated to the candidates through the official website only. Check the below table to know the updated AFCAT 1 exam dates -
AFCAT 1 Exam Dates 2026
Events
AFCAT Dates
AFCAT Short Notification 2026
To be announced
AFCAT 2026 notification
To be announced
AFCAT 2026 application date
To be announced
AFCAT 1 application form last date
To be announced
AFCAT Application Form Correction Dates
To be announced
AFCAT Admit Card 2026
To be announced
AFCAT exam date 2026
To be announced
AFCAT 2026 Result date
To be announced
AFCAT AFSB Interview date
To be announced
AFCAT Final Merit List 2026
To be announced
AFCAT 2026 Application Form
The AFCAT application form 2026 will be released along with the notification on the official website. Candidates are recommended to submit the AFCAT application form as soon as possible. This will help them get their AFCAT exam centre of their choice. All the information given in the AFCAT 1 2026 application form must be correct and accurate. The candidate’s application might get cancelled if the information is found inaccurate.
AFCAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
IAF determines the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2026 in the official notification. The AFCAT 2026 eligibility is the minimum conditions which a candidate must meet to be able to appear in the exam. Candidates have to meet the AFCAT eligibility criteria at every stage of the examination.
AFCAT Eligibility conditions -
Nationality - The candidate must be a citizen of India.
Age - The AFCAT age limit for flying branch candidates is 20 - 24 years. Candidates who choose Ground duty need to be between 20 - 26 years.
Educational Qualification -
For Flying Branch - Candidates must have passed a minimum of 50% marks in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level and must have a Graduation with minimum three years degree in any discipline from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
For Ground Duty - Candidates with a minimum of 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and a minimum of four years degree.
AFCAT Question/Sample papers
Candidates can download AFCAT question papers along with answers from here.
The AFCAT exam pattern 2026 consists of a written online exam and an AFSB interview. The detailed AFCAT exam pattern will be available in the official notification. Candidates will also be able to find the AFACT exam schedule in the notification. In the AFCAT written exam, 3 marks will be awarded for correct answers and 1 mark will be deducted for wrong answers. Check the AFCAT 2026 exam pattern in the table below
AFCAT Written Exam Pattern 2026
Subject
Duration
Number of questions
Max Marks
General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test.
2 Hours
100
300
AFCAT 2026 Syllabus
The AFCAT syllabus consists of 4 subjects. IAF decides the AFCAT syllabus 2026. The entire AFCAT 2026 syllabus will be given in the official notification. Candidates can also check the AFCAT syllabus from the table below -
AFCAT 1 2026 Syllabus
Subject
Syllabus
English
Comprehension, Detect Error in Sentence, Sentence Completion/ Filling in of correct word, Synonym/ Antonym, Cloze Test or Fill in the Gaps in a paragraph, Idioms and Phrases, Analogy, Sentence Rearranging, Substitution in a Sentence/ One Word Substitution.
General Awareness
History, Geography, Sports, National & International Organisations, Art & Culture, Personalities, Environment & Ecology, Indian Polity, Economy, Basic Science Based Knowledge, Science & Technology, Current Affairs (National & International), Defence.
Numerical ability
Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average/ Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Time & Distance and Races (Trains/ Boats & Streams), Area and Perimeter, Probability, Number System & Number Series, Mixture & Allegation Rules, Clocks.
Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Candidates who are appearing for the AFSB interview can go through the following stages -
Stage 1 - Officer Intelligence Rating Test along with Picture Perception and Discussion Test.
Stage 2 - Psychological test, the Group Tests and Interview.
AFCAT 2026 Admit Card
The AFCAT admit card 2026 will be issued a few days before the exam. Candidates can download the AFCAT admit card at afcat.cdac.in. The admit card is also sent to the candidate’s registered email address. If a candidate faces any issue in receiving the admit card, they may contact the AFCAT quarry cell immediately. If a candidate has submitted more than one application, the AFCAT 2026 admit card will be issued for the latest application form submitted.
AFCAT 2026 Question Papers
IAF does not release the AFCAT question paper 2026 on the official website. Candidates can get the AFCAT question papers from various institute’s official websites for practicing. It is important for candidates to practice at least the past 10 years of AFCAT previous year papers.
AFCAT 2026 Answer Key
Candidates can check the unofficial AFCAT answer key 2026 released by coaching institutes right after the completion of the examination. Indian Air Force does not release any official AFCAT answer keys on their website.
AFCAT 2026 Result
The AFCAT result 2026 will be released on the official website, afcat.cdac.in.The AFCAT result will be released in about a month after the exam is conducted. The AFCAT 2026 result can be checked by using the candidate’s login credentials. Check the below steps to download the AFCAT 1 result 2026 -
Steps to check the AFCAT result 2026 -
Go to the IAF official website, afcat.cdac.in.
On the homepage, the AFCAT result link will be displayed.
Click on the link.
Enter the required details, like the email address, password, etc.
The AFCAT result will be displayed on the screen.
Save a copy for future reference.
AFCAT 2026 Cut Off
The AFCAT cut off 2026 will be released on the official website. Candidates can check the AFCAT cut off along with the release of the results. The AFCAT 2026 cut off will be available in PDF format. Candidates of all categories must meet the AFCAT cut off to clear the stage.
AFCAT 2026 Salary
The AFCAT salary 2026 of the flying officer ranges between Rs. 56,100 - Rs 1,77,500. The AFCAT salary is as per the 7th pay commission. - Flight Cadets will receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month during 1 year of training.
In addition to the AFCAT 2026 salary, candidates will be offered various allowances for Flying, Transport, Technical, Field Area, Special Compensatory (Hill area), etc.
AFCAT 2026 Selection Process
The AFCAT selection process 2026 includes a written exam and AFSB. Those who clear both the stages with flying colours will get selected as officers in various branches. Those who meet the minimum AFCAT qualifying marks will be appearing in the AFSB interview where they can choose their date and time of the interview. Candidates who have applied for NCC Special Entry will be directly called for AFSB testing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1.How many AFCAT vacancies 2026 have been announced?
The number of AFCAT vacancy will be given in the official notification.
2.What is the AFCAT age limit 2026?
The AFCAT age limit is 24 years and 26 years is for ground duty.
3.What is the AFCAT application last date ?
The AFCAT 2026 application form last date is not known yet.
The official question paper and answer key for AFCAT twenty twenty five will be released by the Indian Air Force after the exam is conducted Until then candidates can refer to previous year question papers and sample papers for preparation The AFCAT exam includes sections such as General Awareness Verbal Ability Numerical Ability Reasoning and Military Aptitude To prepare well aim to solve mock tests regularly and revise important topics from the syllabus Once the official answer key is available it will be provided through the official AFCAT website after login using your credentials
For a B.Tech in Civil Engineering (bachelor) candidate applying for AFCAT, the correct option is Graduate
Option D
.
Explanation:
AFCAT eligibility:
AFCAT requires a Bachelor's degree in any discipline (or B.Tech) from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% marks.
Engineering Graduates:
Engineers (B.Tech) are specifically mentioned as eligible under a graduate category, which is option D according to Quora.
Civil Engineering:
Since Civil Engineering is a B.Tech degree, it falls under the engineering graduate category, thus making option D the correct choice.
Option D:
Option D is specifically designed for engineering graduates. It allows you to mention your degree and specify your engineering discipline (Civil Engineering).
If AFCAT officials have clearly said they need a
certificate
and not just your
marksheet
, they’re most likely asking for your
degree certificate
— the official proof that you’ve completed your graduation. The marksheet alone only shows your scores, but not that you've actually passed the entire course.
If you haven’t received your original degree certificate yet, you can try submitting a
provisional certificate
. Most colleges or universities provide this after the final results are out. It’s usually accepted as a temporary replacement for the actual certificate.
If even the provisional certificate isn’t available, you can ask your college to issue a
bonafide letter
or a
course completion letter
saying that you’ve successfully completed your degree and the certificate is pending. Sometimes, that’s accepted too.
But the best and safest thing to do is contact the AFCAT helpdesk and clearly explain your situation. Ask if they will accept a provisional certificate or any temporary proof for now. They usually guide you well.
Yes, you can become eligible for the AFCAT Flying Branch by adding Mathematics to your 12th qualification.
Here’s what you can do:
You must have passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, each with at least 50% marks, to be eligible for the Flying Branch.
Since you studied PCB, you can take Mathematics as an additional subject through NIOS or any other recognized board.
NIOS offers the option to appear for a single subject. Although they provide only a marksheet and not a full certificate, the marksheet is valid and recognized.
To ensure eligibility, complete your graduation with at least 60% marks and submit both your original 12th marksheet (with Physics) and the NIOS Mathematics marksheet while applying.
Before applying for AFCAT, it is recommended to confirm with the official AFCAT or Indian Air Force recruitment office whether the NIOS marksheet for a single subject is accepted.
This path is commonly used by students in similar situations.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, feel free to share your questions with us, and we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.
As of today (27 May 2025), you are
22 years old
. For the
AFCAT Flying Branch
, the
age limit is 20 to 24 years
as of the course start date. However, candidates holding a
valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
issued by DGCA (India) can apply up to
26 years
.
AFCAT exams are conducted
twice a year
– AFCAT 1 (Feb) and AFCAT 2 (Aug).
For the
Flying Branch
, the age is calculated as on
1 July
for AFCAT 2 and
1 January
for AFCAT 1.
Your
Date of Birth: 25 Oct 2002
For
AFCAT 2 2025
(course starts July 2026)
→ You will be
23 years 8 months
→
Eligible
For
AFCAT 1 2026 (course starts Jan 2027)
→ You will be
24 years 2 months
→
Still eligible
For
AFCAT 2 2026 (course starts July 2027)
→ You will be
24 years 8 months
→
Not eligible
(crosses 24 years)
You are eligible for
AFCAT 2 2025
and
AFCAT 1 2026
for Flying Branch.
So, you have
2 attempts left
including
AFCAT 2 2025
.
