The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially released the notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 1) 2026. This announcement outlines key dates for aspiring candidates. Online registration is set to commence on November 17, 2025 , and will close on December 14, 2025 . The AFCAT 2026 examination itself is scheduled for January 31, 2026 .
Prospective applicants must register through the dedicated official website, afcat.edcil.co.in. Completing the application requires a fee of Rs 550 . An additional 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) will also apply. This fee is non-refundable.
A total of 340 vacancies are available through this AFCAT cycle. These positions are for Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers within various branches of the IAF. Specifically, vacancies are open in both the Flying Branch and the Ground Duty Branch. The Ground Duty Branch further subdivides into Technical and Non-Technical roles, offering diverse career paths within the force.
The Flying Branch typically involves roles such as Fighter pilots, Transport pilots, and Helicopter pilots. Ground Duty (Technical) roles often include Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) and Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical), focusing on aircraft maintenance and technical support. Ground Duty (Non-Technical) covers administration, logistics, accounts, education, and meteorology, among others.
Candidates can expect their admit cards for the AFCAT 2026 examination to be released on January 22, 2026 . These will be accessible on the official website. The IAF allocates examination centers based on preferences indicated during the application process. It is important to note that once allocated, no requests for changes to centers, personal data, or examination slots will be accommodated under any circumstances.
The AFCAT examination is a biannual event conducted by the IAF. Its primary purpose is to recruit eligible Indian citizens, both male and female, into Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer positions. These roles signify leadership and responsibility within the Indian Air Force, covering a wide range of operational and support functions.
AFCAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The AFCAT 2026 written examination is designed to assess a candidate’s aptitude across multiple domains. The test has a maximum duration of 2 hours . The paper will consist of 100 objective-type questions . The maximum score obtainable from the examination is 300 marks .
The question paper is divided into four main sections: General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning. In addition to these sections, candidates are also required to clear a Military Aptitude Test. This component assesses qualities essential for a career in the armed forces.
Marking Scheme Details
The evaluation system for AFCAT 2026 incorporates both positive and negative marking. Candidates should be aware of how marks are allocated and deducted:
| Action | Marks Awarded/Deducted |
|---|---|
| For every correctly answered question | +3 marks |
| For every incorrectly answered question | -1 mark |
| For every unattempted question | 0 marks |
This negative marking scheme emphasizes accuracy. Candidates are advised to answer questions carefully to avoid deductions.
Essential Eligibility Requirements
Prior to submitting their applications, all prospective candidates must thoroughly review the AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria. The detailed requirements include specific age limits, necessary educational qualifications for each branch, and prescribed physical and medical standards. These criteria vary significantly depending on the chosen branch (Flying, Ground Duty Technical, or Ground Duty Non-Technical).
The comprehensive official AFCAT notification 2026, containing all detailed eligibility guidelines, is available for download exclusively on the official AFCAT website (afcat.edcil.co.in). It is mandatory for applicants to refer to this document to confirm their eligibility before proceeding with the online registration process. Failure to meet any of the specified criteria will result in disqualification, even if the candidate successfully clears the examination.