IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online - Eligibility - Salary - Career

Overview — What is IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026?

IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026 (AFCAT 2/2026) invites applications for 284 commissioned officer posts across Flying, Ground Duty (Technical) and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. 

Candidates interested in Indian Air Force Recruitment 2026 apply Online through the official AFCAT portal hosted by C-DAC (AFCAT CDAC in — afcat.cdac.in).

Key takeaways:

• AFCAT 2 2026 Exam: Computer based test + AFSB + Medical
• Vacancies: 284 (Flying, Ground Duty Technical, Ground Duty Non-Technical)
• Apply Online: register, complete AFCAT login, fill form, upload documents, pay fee
• Eligibility, age bands and educational requirements vary by branch

Branch-wise Vacancies (AFCAT 2 2026)

Below is the branch-wise breakdown published as part of AFCAT 2 2026 notification.

Note: The exact numbers and reservation details are as per the official notification — always verify at the AFCAT CDAC portal.

Previous Years' AFCAT Cut-offs & Trends

Understanding previous cut-offs helps set realistic targets. Cut-offs vary by session and branch depending on difficulty and vacancies.

Target a score of 150+ to be competitive for most branches, but watch the official notification for exact cut-offs for AFCAT 2 2026.

AFCAT Eligibility — Who Can Apply?

Age Limit (as per branch)

• Flying Branch: 20–24 years (some relaxations for NCC special entry)
• Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20–26 years

Educational Qualifications

• Flying Branch: 60% in Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 AND a three-year degree (minimum 60%) or equivalent.
• Ground Duty - Technical: Engineering degree in the relevant discipline (minimum 60% recommended for competitiveness).
• Ground Duty - Non-Technical: Degree in relevant disciplines (commerce, humanities, management, science etc.).

Nationality & Gender

Candidates must be Indian citizens. Both men and women are eligible to apply for most branches — check the notification for specifics.

Physical & Medical Standards

• Height, weight and fitness criteria as per IAF medical standards
• Vision: unaided 6/6 for Flying Branch (some correction norms apply for other branches)

Quick Reference Table

How to Apply Online — Step-by-step (AFCAT login & apply)

Follow these steps to complete Iaf afcat recruitment apply online:

1. Open the official AFCAT portal: afcat.cdac.in
2. Click Register and create an account (complete your AFCAT login credentials).
3. Log in with your new credentials and fill the online application form — select branch and course.
4. Upload scanned photo, signature and required educational documents (PDF/JPEG as instructed).
5. Pay the application fee using the provided payment gateway.
6. Submit the form and download/print the confirmation receipt for your records.

Tip: Keep scanned copies prepared in advance. Use the exact format and size mentioned on the portal to avoid upload errors.

IAF Selection Process (IAF-SelectionProcess)

The IAF-SelectionProcess for AFCAT typically follows these stages:

1. Online AFCAT Exam — objective, computer based (General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning).
2. AFSB Interview — psychological tests, group tasks, personal interview and PABT (for Flying, if applicable).
3. Medical Examination — full medical at designated IAF centres.
4. Final Merit List — based on performance in exam, AFSB and medical clearance.

Exam Pattern & Marks

AFCAT written exam is scored out of 300 marks. Questions are objective multiple-choice. Marking schemes and exact paper format are stated in the official notification.

Air Force Salary, Allowances & Career Growth

Joining through AFCAT leads to an attractive career path. Typical starting pay and benefits include:

• Basic starting pay for Flying Officer: ₹56,100 per month (7th Pay Commission basic).
• Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, Flying Allowance (for pilots), medical facilities and canteen benefits.
• Minimum service period: usually around 10 years (terms vary).
• Career progression: opportunities to rise to senior ranks such as Squadron Leader, Wing Commander, Group Captain, Air Commodore and beyond.

Rank vs Salary (Typical Progression)

Note: Figures above show basic pay bands; actual in-hand pay includes allowances and varies by posting and family status.

Branch-wise Detailed Career Path & Promotions

Each branch offers different operational roles and career tracks. Below are expanded career-path tables by branch.

Flying Branch — Career Path

Ground Duty — Technical

Ground Duty — Non-Technical

Long-term career plans should consider specialization, higher education (M.Tech / M.Sc / MBA) and staff courses that affect promotions and postings.

AFCAT Exam Preparation — Detailed & Topic-wise Study Plan

Below is a topic-wise and week-by-week plan designed to cover the entire AFCAT syllabus over 16 weeks. This plan answers How much time to prep for AFCAT and What's the best strategy for the AFCAT exam.

Overview: Subjects & Weightage

• General Awareness (GA) — Current Affairs, Static GK
• Verbal Ability in English — Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary
• Numerical Ability — Arithmetic, Algebra, Mensuration
• Reasoning & Military Aptitude — Verbal & Non-verbal reasoning, spatial ability

Weeks 1–4: English & Vocabulary

• Daily: 1.5 hours reading comprehension + 30 mins grammar practice
• Vocabulary: learn 10–15 new words/day with usage
• Weekly mock: 30–40 questions from past AFCAT papers

Weeks 5–8: General Awareness (GA)

• Daily: 2 hours covering national & international current affairs
• Weekly: revise static GK topics (history, geography, polity)
• Monthly: full-length GA mock

Weeks 9–12: Numerical Ability

• Daily: 2 hours practice on arithmetic + shortcut methods
• Focus: percentages, ratio & proportion, time-speed-distance, algebra basics
• Weekly: timed practice sets to improve speed

Weeks 13–16: Reasoning & Full-length Mocks

• Daily: 1.5 hours verbal & non-verbal reasoning
• Weekly: 1 full-length AFCAT mock under exam conditions
• Last 2 weeks: revision of weak areas & final mock series

Daily Micro-schedule (example)

1. Morning (1.5 hr): English (comprehension + grammar)
2. Afternoon (2 hr): Numerical Ability / Reasoning rotation
3. Evening (1 hr): General Awareness (current affairs + static)
4. Weekend: Full-length mock + review

Use official mock tests and practice papers from AFCAT CDAC resources where available. Regularly analyze mock performance, track weak topics and prioritize targeted revision.

Sample 3-Month & 6-Month Study Schedules

3-Month Focused Plan (Intense)

• Months 1–2: Core concept building (GA, English, Maths, Reasoning)
• Month 3: Timed mocks, revision and AFSB familiarization
• Daily: 4–5 hours study (weekday), 6–8 hours (weekend)

6-Month Gradual Plan (Balanced)

• Months 1–3: Strong foundation — concept clarity & light mocks
• Months 4–5: Intensified practice and timed problem solving
• Month 6: Full-length mock series, revision and AFSB prep
• Daily: 2–3 hours study (weekday), 4–5 hours (weekend)

Pick a schedule based on time availability and learning speed. For first-timers, 6 months gives comfortable coverage; for re-takers, 3 months of focused study can be sufficient.

Mock Tests & Time Management Strategy

Mocks mimic exam conditions and are critical. Actionable mock strategy:

1. Start with sectional mocks — build confidence per subject.
2. Move to full-length mocks weekly once basics are strong.
3. Analyze performance: error logs, time per question, topic weakness.
4. Refine strategy: attempt high-scoring sections first, maintain accuracy.

AFSB Interview & Medical — What to Expect

After clearing the online AFCAT exam, shortlisted candidates are called to AFSB for multi-day testing:

• Stage I: Screening tests (Officer Intelligence Rating & Picture Perception/Description)
• Stage II: Interview, Group Tests, Psychology tests, Conference
• Medical: Comprehensive medical exam at designated IAF medical establishments

Prepare for AFSB by practicing group discussions, improving situational judgment, and maintaining good fitness and medical standards.

AFCAT vs NDA vs CDS — Which One to Choose?

Short comparison to help aspirants choose:

• NDA: Best for school-leavers (10+2), tougher mathematics & reasoning.
• CDS: More competitive syllabus across services; generally harder than AFCAT.
• AFCAT: For graduates — focuses on aptitude & GA; good route to commissioned officer careers with flexible age bands.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ What is IAF AFCAT 2 recruitment 2026?

💡 IAF AFCAT 2 recruitment 2026 is the AFCAT-based recruitment for 284 commissioned officer vacancies across Flying, Ground Duty Technical and Ground Duty Non-Technical branches.

❓ How to apply for Indian Air Force (IAF) recruitment 2026?

💡 Apply on the AFCAT CDAC portal (afcat.cdac.in). Register, complete AFCAT login, fill the application, upload documents and pay the fee.

❓ How to apply for IAF AFCAT exam online?

💡 Visit the official site, register as a new user, complete AFCAT login and follow on-screen steps to apply online for AFCAT 2 2026.

❓ How many vacancies are there in Indian Air Force (IAF)?

💡 There are 284 vacancies for AFCAT 2 2026.

❓ What is AFCAT eligibility?

💡 Eligibility includes meeting branch-specific age limits, educational qualifications (Physics & Maths for Flying at 10+2 plus a degree), Indian citizenship, and medical standards.

❓ How difficult is the AFCAT exam?

💡 Moderately difficult — achievable with 3–6 months focused preparation covering GA, English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning.

❓ What is a good score in AFCAT?

💡 Usually 150+ out of 300 is a strong target score, though exact cut-offs vary every session.

❓ Which is difficult, NDA or AFCAT?

💡 NDA is broadly considered more difficult due to higher-level mathematics and reasoning demand.

❓ What is the maximum number of attempts for the Afcat exam?

💡 There is no fixed maximum number of attempts; candidates may apply while meeting age and eligibility conditions.

❓ What is the highest rank in AFCAT?

💡 Officers can eventually progress to senior ranks like Air Marshal, subject to promotion boards and performance.

❓ What is the lowest cut off for Afcat?

💡 Historically around 135–150; vary by year and branch.

❓ What is the minimum requirement for Afcat?

💡 Age within branch limits, relevant degree, Indian nationality, and medical fitness.

❓ Which degree is best for AFCAT?

💡 Engineering, Physics, Maths, Computer Science and allied degrees are highly suitable — particularly for Ground Duty Technical.

❓ What is the minimum salary in Afcat?

💡 Basic starting pay is typically ₹56,100 for Flying Officer; total pay increases with allowances.

❓ What is the lowest score for Airforce?

💡 Qualifying scores vary; aim for at least 135–150 depending on branch competitiveness.

❓ What is the minimum service period for Afcat?

💡 Generally a minimum service commitment of around 10 years for commissioned officers — check terms in the notification.

❓ What is the air force salary?

💡 Starting basic pay ₹56,100 (Flying Officer). Full compensation includes DA, HRA, transport, flying allowance and other perks.

❓ Is a flying officer a pilot?

💡 Yes — Flying Officers are commissioned pilots who undergo flight training to operate IAF aircraft.

❓ What is the lowest rank in IAF?

💡 Lowest commissioned rank: Flying Officer. Non-commissioned: Aircraftsman.

❓ What are the maximum marks in AFCAT?

💡 The written AFCAT exam has a total of 300 marks.

❓ What's the best strategy for the AFCAT exam?

💡 Balanced study across GA, English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning, frequent mocks, and revision of weak topics. Time management is crucial.

❓ What is the hardest subject in NDA?

💡 Mathematics is typically the hardest for many aspirants.

❓ How much time to prep for AFCAT?

💡 3–6 months depending on prior knowledge and the intensity of study.

❓ How many tiers are there in AFCAT?

💡 Two main tiers: online AFCAT exam and AFSB interview; medical exam follows the interview.

❓ Which is more difficult, CDs or AFCAT?

💡 CDS is generally more difficult than AFCAT due to broader syllabus and tougher competition for specific services.

❓ How to apply for IAF commissioned officer recruitment 2026?

💡 Apply online via the AFCAT CDAC portal. Register, complete AFCAT login, choose the commission entry and fill all required fields accurately.

❓ How to apply for 284 commissioned officer posts in Indian Air Force?

💡 Follow the online application procedure on the AFCAT portal and ensure AFCAT eligibility is met for your chosen branch.

Final Tips & Checklist Before You Apply

• Double-check age, educational criteria and medical standards before applying.
• Keep scanned copies (photo, signature, certificates) ready in the required sizes.
• Complete AFCAT login and verify contact details for future communication.
• Practice full-length mocks and analyze mistakes — focus on accuracy over attempt count initially.
• Prepare for AFSB concurrently with written preparation — communication and group-task skills matter.

If you are planning a long-term career after entry, explore training courses, higher education and staff colleges to boost promotion prospects and Career AFCAT C-DAC opportunities.

Conclusion — Ready to Apply?

The IAF AFCAT Recruitment 2026 is a major opportunity to join the Indian Air Force. Candidates should ensure they meet AFCAT eligibility, prepare using the detailed study plans above, and apply using the official platform (AFCAT CDAC) — complete your AFCAT login and submit the form before the deadline. Good luck!