Registration for the Indian Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 1) 2026 commenced today, November 17 . The Indian Air Force (IAF) opened online applications on its official website, afcat.edcil.co.in. The deadline for submitting applications is December 14 , 2025.
The AFCAT 1 2026 examination is scheduled for January 31 , 2026. This test facilitates entry into the Flying and Ground Duty branches of the Indian Air Force.
Application Process
Prospective candidates must apply online via afcat.edcil.co.in. Applicants require several documents for the online application. These include Class 10 and 12 certificates and their corresponding details. A valid email ID and phone number are mandatory for communication. Candidates must also provide their Aadhar card details.
The application fee is Rs 550 plus Goods and Services Tax (GST) charges . Payments are processed online. Candidates will select five preferred exam cities from a list of 104 available centres nationwide.
Admit cards for AFCAT 1 2026 will be available for download from January 22 , 2026, in advance of the examination.
Examination Details
The AFCAT 1 2026 examination is a two-hour paper, featuring 100 questions for a total of 300 marks. The test evaluates candidates across five key sections. These include General Awareness , assessing knowledge of current affairs, history, geography, and general science. Verbal Ability in English measures comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary. Numerical Ability tests mathematical skills, while Reasoning assesses logical and analytical thinking. A Military Aptitude Test is also included, evaluating potential for armed forces service.
Candidates receive 3 marks for each correct answer. One mark is deducted for every incorrect response. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria to apply for AFCAT 1 2026. Details on nationality, age limits, and educational qualifications are provided below:
| Parameters | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Age Limit | Flying Branch: 20-24 years Ground Duty: 20-26 years |
| Educational Qualification | |
| Flying Branch | Graduation (min 3 years) in any discipline with min 60% marks AND Maths and Physics as 12th subjects. OR BE/ BTech from a recognized University with min 60% marks. |
| Ground Duty (Non-technical) | Minimum 60% in Physics and Maths AND Minimum 4 years degree graduation/ integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/ Technology from a recognized University. |
| Technical Branch | 4-year degree qualification. Must have cleared Sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with 60% marks. |
Next Steps
The AFCAT serves as a gateway for eligible candidates to join the Indian Air Force. Interested individuals meeting the criteria should ensure timely application before the December 14 deadline.