AFCAT 1 Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Qualification, Nationality, Age Limit, Physical Standards

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 citizens 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.

Quick links:

• AFCAT exam dates 2026
• AFCAT exam pattern 2026

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 for candidates having a valid and current commercial pilot license 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 in the legal duties of the IAF (after commissioning)

Candidates studying in the final year/semester can also apply; however, they must not have any backlog and should have secured 60%

Quick links:

• AFCAT Syllabus 2026
• AFCAT Result 2026

AFCAT Eligibility criteria - Aeronautical Engineer

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical)

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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 -

AFCAT Height and Weight Standards (Female) as per AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria - Visual Standards

Quick links:

• AFCAT Question Papers 2026
• AFCAT Answer Key 2026

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 Cut Off 2026
• AFCAT Salary 2026
• AFCAT Login 2026

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, such as name, academic qualification, age, date of birth, parents' names, and address in detail.

After filling in 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.