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
Search Colleges, Exams, Schools & more
Login
AFCAT 1 Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Qualification, Nationality, Age Limit, Physical Standards
Indian Air Force prescribed the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2026 in the official notification. Candidates can check the detailed AFCAT 2026 eligibilty criteria at afcat.edcil.co.in. The AFCAT eligibility criteria includes nationality, academic qualification, age limit, physical standards, etc. Aspirants who are planning to appear for the AFCAT exam need to check the eligibility criteria beforehand.
Candidates have to check all the details of the eligibility criteria before filling out the AFCAT application form 2026. Those who meet the AFCAT eligibility criteria can apply for the recruitment. The AFCAT 2026 exam is conducted twice a year. In this article on AFCAT 1 eligibility criteria 2026, we will be mentioning all the important details related to the eligibility criteria.
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
The AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria are based on the following factors -
Nationality
Academic Qualification
Age limit
Physical standards
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria - Nationality & Marital Status
Candidates must be a citizen of India as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.
Candidates below 25 years should be unmarried
Widows/Widowers and divorcees below 25 years are not eligible
Married candidates above 25 years can apply, but during the training period they will not be provided separate accommodation for their spouse
Unmarried candidates must not get married during the training process, if they do it, they will be removed from the training process and they will have to return all the expenses incurred on them by the IAF.
AFCAT Question/Sample papers
Candidates can download AFCAT question papers along with answers from here.
Free DownloadQuick links:
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit
Flying Branch through AFCAT and NCC Special Entry: The age of aspirants must be between 20 and 24 years as of January 1, 2026. There are upper-age relaxation form candidates having a valid and current commercial pilot licenses issued by DGCA. The relaxation is till 26 years.
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch: Aspirants must be between 20 and 26 years, as of January 1, 2026.
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Educational Qualification
Flying Branch: Aspirants must have qualified 10+2 with 50% in Maths and Physics and graduated in any discipline BE/BTech/Cleared section A and B exam of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with 60%.
Ground Duty (Technical) Branch
Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) (AE (L))
Aspirants must have completed 10+2 with 50% in Physics and Mathematics and a minimum of four years degree graduation/integrated post-graduation in Engineering/Technology from a recognised university. (Or)
Cleared sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate membership examination of the institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies with 60% in the following disciplines:
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches
Administration & Logistics
Accounts: Graduation in Commerce with 60%
LLB qualified and integrated/dual degree candidates may get an opportunity to be employed on the legal duties of the IAF (after commissioning)
Candidates studying in final year/semester can also apply, however, they must not have any backlog and should have secured 60%
Quick links:
AFCAT Eligibility criteria - Aeronautical Engineer
Communication Engineering | Computer Engineering/Technology | Computer Engineering & Application |
Computer Science and Engineering/Technology | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
Electrical Engineering | Electronics Engineering/ Technology | Electronics Science and Engineering |
Electronics | Electronics and Communication Engineering | Electronics and Computer Science |
Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering | Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering (Microwave) | Electronics and Computer Engineering |
Electronics Communication and Instrumentation Engineering | Electronics Instrument & Control | Electronics Instrument & Control Engineering |
Instrumentation & Control Engineering | Instrument & Control Engineering | Information Technology |
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical)
Aerospace Engineering | Aeronautical Engineering | Aircraft Maintenance Engineering |
Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering and Automation | Mechanical Engineering (Production) |
Mechanical Engineering (Repair and Maintenance) | Mechatronics | Industrial Engineering |
Also read: Basic information about category-wise top career exams
- Top 20 Career Exams for Central Government Jobs
- Top 13 UPSC Exams for Government Jobs
- Top 8 SSC Exams for Central Government Jobs
- Top 29 States Civil Service Exams
- Top 14 Banking Exams for government jobs
- Top 7 Defence Exams in India
- Top 7 Railway (RRB)
- Top 14 Insurance Exams (Soon)
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria - Physical Standards
From the following table, aspirants can check the eligibility criteria of AFCAT 2026 with special reference to the physical standards.
AFCAT Height and Weight Standards (Male) as per AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
The acceptable weight will be ± 10% of the average weight mentioned in the table below -
Height in cm | Weight Based on the Age Range | ||||
15-17 Yrs. | 18-22 Yrs. | 23- 27 Yrs. | 28- 32 Yrs. | 33-37 Yrs. | |
152 | 46 | 47 | 50 | 54 | 54 |
153 | 47 | 47 | 51 | 55 | 55 |
154 | 47 | 48 | 51 | 56 | 55 |
155 | 48 | 49 | 52 | 56 | 56 |
156 | 48 | 49 | 53 | 57 | 57 |
157 | 49 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 58 |
158 | 49 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 58 |
159 | 50 | 51 | 55 | 59 | 59 |
160 | 51 | 52 | 56 | 59 | 60 |
161 | 51 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 60 |
162 | 52 | 53 | 57 | 61 | 61 |
163 | 52 | 54 | 58 | 61 | 62 |
164 | 53 | 54 | 59 | 62 | 63 |
165 | 53 | 55 | 59 | 63 | 63 |
166 | 54 | 56 | 60 | 63 | 64 |
167 | 54 | 56 | 61 | 64 | 65 |
168 | 55 | 57 | 61 | 65 | 65 |
169 | 55 | 57 | 62 | 65 | 66 |
170 | 56 | 58 | 63 | 66 | 67 |
171 | 56 | 59 | 64 | 66 | 68 |
172 | 57 | 59 | 64 | 67 | 68 |
173 | 58 | 60 | 65 | 68 | 69 |
174 | 58 | 61 | 66 | 68 | 70 |
175 | 59 | 61 | 66 | 69 | 71 |
176 | 59 | 62 | 67 | 70 | 71 |
177 | 60 | 62 | 68 | 70 | 72 |
178 | 60 | 63 | 69 | 71 | 73 |
179 | 61 | 64 | 69 | 72 | 73 |
180 | 61 | 64 | 70 | 72 | 74 |
181 | 62 | 65 | 71 | 73 | 75 |
182 | 62 | 66 | 72 | 74 | 76 |
183 | 63 | 66 | 72 | 74 | 76 |
184 | 64 | 67 | 73 | 75 | 77 |
185 | 64 | 68 | 74 | 75 | 78 |
186 | 65 | 68 | 74 | 76 | 78 |
187 | 65 | 69 | 75 | 77 | 79 |
188 | 66 | 69 | 76 | 77 | 80 |
189 | 66 | 70 | 77 | 78 | 81 |
190 | 67 | 71 | 77 | 79 | 81 |
191 | 67 | 71 | 78 | 79 | 82 |
192 | 68 | 72 | 79 | 80 | 83 |
193 | 68 | 73 | 79 | 81 | 83 |
SD | 6.0 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 6.6 | 6.9 |
AFCAT Height and Weight Standards (Female) as per AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
Height in cm | Weight Based on Age Range | |
20-25 Years | 26-30 Years | |
148 | 43 | 46 |
149 | 44 | 47 |
150 | 45 | 48 |
151 | 45 | 48 |
152 | 46 | 49 |
153 | 47 | 50 |
154 | 47 | 50 |
155 | 48 | 51 |
156 | 49 | 52 |
157 | 49 | 53 |
158 | 50 | 53 |
159 | 51 | 54 |
160 | 51 | 55 |
161 | 52 | 55 |
162 | 52 | 56 |
163 | 53 | 57 |
164 | 54 | 57 |
165 | 54 | 58 |
166 | 55 | 59 |
167 | 56 | 60 |
168 | 56 | 60 |
169 | 57 | 61 |
170 | 58 | 62 |
171 | 58 | 62 |
172 | 59 | 63 |
173 | 59 | 64 |
174 | 60 | 64 |
175 | 61 | 65 |
176 | 61 | 66 |
177 | 62 | 67 |
178 | 63 | 67 |
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria - Visual Standards
Branch | Maximum Limits of Refractive Error | Visual Acuity Errors | Colour Vision |
F(P) including WSOs |
| 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia | CP-I |
Adm/WS |
| Corrected visual acuity should be 6/9 in each eye. | CP-II |
AE(M) AE(L) |
|
| CP-II |
Met |
|
| CP-II |
Accts/ Lgs/Edn |
|
| CP-III |
Quick links:
AFCAT Eligibility 2026: Aspirants already employed
If aspirants are already working with any government or government-owned organizations, or PSU's they will have to procure a No-Objection certificate (NOC) from their current employer.
During AFSB, aspirants (both from government or government-owned industrial section) will have to show the NOC.
Aspirants are bound to show this NOC, irrespective of being contractual, permanent, or temporary subordinates.
The candidature of the applicants might be cancelled even after they have applied for the AFCAT exam if their current employer withholds their NOC or raises an objection.
If employers are not ready to submit the NOC (due to any reason), then the refusal would be considered in writing format and would be submitted to AFSB.
Quick links:
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Who is not Eligible to Apply?
Aspirants who failed the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)/ Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) or a Flight Cadet suspended from flying training at the Air Force Academy are not eligible to apply in the Flying Branch.
Candidates earlier admitted at NDA, Indian Military Academy (IMA), Air Force Academy (AFA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai and Officers Training Academy Gaya but have been removed due to indiscipline are not eligible to apply.
Aspirants debarred by the Ministry of Defence from holding any commission in the Defence Services are not eligible for AFCAT.
Aspirants with criminal charges are also not eligible to apply.
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria - Application Form
The AFCAT application form 2026 has been released on November 17, 2025 on the official website. Candidates can submit the AFCAT 1 application form 2026 until December 14, 2025. The AFCAT application form is released twice a year and candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the exam. While filling out the application form, applicants have to fill in all their details like name, academic qualification, age, date of birth, parents' name, and address in detail.
After filling all the details in the application form of AFCAT 2026, they also have to pay the application fee to confirm their submission. Aspirants who successfully submit the application form will be issued the AFCAT admit card 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the eligibility criteria for AFCAT 2026?
A:
The AFCAT 1 eligibility criteria 2026 consist of nationality, academic qualification, age limit and physical standards.
Q: Who will release the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2026?
A:
The AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria are specified by the Indian Air Force in the official notification.
Q: What are the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2026?
A:
The AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria are the minimum criteria that candidates need to meet in order to apply for the exam.
Q: Is there a negative marking in the AFCAT 2026 exam?
A:
Yes, there is a negative marking in the AFCAT 1 2026 exam.
Q: What is the minimum age limit for candidates to apply for AFCAT 2026?
A:
To apply for AFCAT 2026 exam, the minimum age limit for candidates must be 20 years.
Q: Is anyone working with other organization can apply for AFCAT 2026?
A:
Yes, they can apply. However, candidates working with other organizations need to present the No-Objection certificate (NOC) from their current employer.
Q: Is there any physical and visual standards for AFCAT 2026?
A:
Yes, IAF mentions the visual standards as part of the AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria in the official notification.
Q: What is graduation qualification in AFCAT?
A:
Candidates who have passed their graduation with 60% aggregate are eligible to apply for the AFCAT exam.
Q: Does 12th marks matter in AFCAT?
A:
No, there is no fixed percentage in 12th for the AFCAT exam.
Articles
Related Stories
|
Upcoming Competition Exams
Certifications By Top Providers
Explore Top Universities Across Globe
Questions related to AFCAT
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to AFCAT ?
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
Applications for Admissions are open.
Apply for Online M.Com from Manipal University
AFCAT Notifications
Never miss AFCAT update
Get timely AFCAT updates directly to your inbox. Stay informed!