AFCAT 2 2026 Notification PDF Out – Apply Online, Exam Date, Vacancy & Eligibility
The Indian Air Force released the AFCAT 2 2026 Notification on 12 May 2026, with 142+ vacancies in the Flying Branch and the Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches. Online registration is open from 20 May to 19 June 2026 at afcat.edcil.co.in. The selection process includes a written exam, AFSB interview, and a medical test. Courses commence in July 2027. Application fee is ₹550 + GST (free for NCC/GATE entry).
Abhinandan Kumar20 May, 2026
AFCAT 2 2026 Notification has been officially released by the Indian Air Force on 12 May 2026. This is a major recruitment opportunity for candidates aspiring to join the IAF as Commissioned Officers in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. The online application window opens today, 20 May 2026 and closes on 19 June 2026. Selected candidates will join courses commencing in July 2027.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know: the official notification PDF download link, vacancy breakdown, eligibility criteria, step-by-step online application process, exam pattern, and selection stages - all in one place.
AFCAT 2 2026 Notification Overview
|
Conducting Body |
Indian Air Force (IAF) |
|
Exam Name |
Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2026 |
|
Post |
Flying Branch & Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) |
|
Vacancies |
142+ (Tentative) |
|
Notification Released |
12 May 2026 |
|
Application Start Date |
20 May 2026 |
|
Last Date to Apply |
19 June 2026 |
|
Exam Mode |
Online (Computer-Based Test) |
|
Exam Duration |
2 Hours |
|
Total Questions / Marks |
100 Questions / 300 Marks |
|
Salary |
₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level 10) |
|
Course Commencement |
July 2027 |
|
Application Fee |
₹550 + GST (AFCAT Entry); Nil for NCC/GATE Entry |
|
Official Website |
afcat.edcil.co.in / afcat.cdac.in |
AFCAT 2 2026 Important Dates & Registration Timeline
Knowing the key dates is the first step to a successful application. Here is the complete timeline for AFCAT 2 2026 registration:
|
Event |
Date |
|
Notification Release Date |
12 May 2026 |
|
AFCAT 2 2026 Registration Start Date OPEN NOW |
20 May 2026 |
|
AFCAT 2 2026 Last Date to Apply Online |
19 June 2026 |
|
Admit Card Release |
To Be Announced |
|
AFCAT 2 2026 Exam Date |
To Be Announced |
|
Result Announcement |
To Be Announced |
|
AFSB Interview |
To Be Announced |
|
Course Commencement |
July 2027 |
Important: The AFCAT 2 2026 last date to submit the online application form is 19 June 2026 at 23:30 hrs. Do not wait for the last day — server load near deadlines can cause submission failures.
AFCAT 2 2026 Notification PDF Download
The official AFCAT 2 2026 notification PDF was published in the Employment Newspaper on 12 May 2026. It contains all details about vacancies, eligibility, selection process, and instructions for filling the application form. Candidates are advised to read the complete notification before applying.
Download Notification PDF - Click Here
AFCAT 2 2026 Vacancy Details
|
Entry Type |
Branch / Specialization |
Vacancies (Men) |
Vacancies (Women) |
Total Vacancies |
|
AFCAT Entry |
Flying Branch |
30 |
05 |
35 |
|
Ground Duty (Technical) • Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) • Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) |
To Be Announced |
To Be Announced |
To Be Announced |
|
|
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) • Weapon Systems (WS) • Administration (Adm) • Logistics (Lgs) • Accounts (Accts) • Education (Edn) • Meteorology (Met) |
21 50 04 05 01 01 |
05 12 02 02 02 02 |
26 62 06 07 03 03 |
|
|
NCC Special Entry |
Flying Branch |
10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC & 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC |
||
|
GATE Score Entry |
Ground Duty (Technical) |
10% of seats reserved out of total Technical branch vacancies |
Note: Vacancies for the Ground Duty Technical branch are being updated comprehensively via the official candidate login portal.
AFCAT 2 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet all eligibility conditions before submitting the AFCAT 2 2026 application form. Eligibility differs based on the branch applied for.
Nationality
The candidate must be a citizen of India.
Age Limit (as on 01 July 2027)
Flying Branch
-
Age: 20 to 24 years
-
DOB Range: 02 Jul 2003 to 01 Jul 2007
-
CPL Holders (DGCA): Up to 26 years (DOB: 02 Jul 2001 to 01 Jul 2007)
Ground Duty (Tech & Non-Tech)
-
Age: 20 to 26 years
-
DOB Range: 02 Jul 2001 to 01 Jul 2007
-
Both male and female candidates are eligible
Educational Qualification
Flying Branch
-
Passed 10+2 with Physics & Mathematics
-
Graduation with a minimum 60% marks (any discipline)
-
OR BE / B.Tech with a minimum 60%
Ground Duty – Technical
-
BE / B.Tech in a relevant engineering discipline
-
Minimum 60% marks aggregate
-
GATE Score holders can also apply via the GATE Entry
Ground Duty – Non-Technical
-
Graduation in any discipline with a minimum 60% marks
-
OR BE / B.Tech with 60%
-
LLB / CA / ICWA / MBA as per branch requirements
NCC Special Entry
-
NCC Air Wing 'C' Certificate (Grade 'B' or above)
-
Same educational qualifications as the Flying Branch
-
No AFCAT written exam required
Candidates must meet physical and medical standards as specified in the official notification. Detailed medical criteria are available in the AFCAT 2 2026 Notification PDF
AFCAT 2 2026 Apply Online Link
Click below to access the official registration portal - open from 20 May to 19 June 2026
Apply Online Application Form 2026
AFCAT 2 2026 Application Fee
|
Category / Entry Type |
Application Fee |
|
AFCAT Entry (Flying & Ground Duty) |
₹550 + applicable GST |
|
NCC Special Entry |
Nil (No Fee) |
|
GATE Score Entry (Ground Duty Technical) |
Nil (No Fee) |
The application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. Payment must be made online only. Save your payment receipt for future use.
How to Apply Online for AFCAT 2 2026
The AFCAT 2 2026 apply online link is active from 20 May 2026. Candidates must register and submit their applications through the official portal. Follow these steps carefully:
-
Visit the official website afcat.edcil.co.in and click on the "AFCAT 02/2026" registration link.
-
Complete new registration using your name, a valid email ID, and an active mobile number. Note down your login credentials.
-
Log in to the portal and fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and communication address accurately.
-
Upload a recent passport-size photograph, your signature, and left-hand thumb impression in the prescribed format.
-
Pay the application fee of ₹550 + GST online via Net Banking, Debit Card, or UPI. (NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry candidates are exempt from fee.)
-
Review all details carefully, submit the form, and save/print the application confirmation for future reference.
AFCAT 2 2026 Exam Pattern
|
Parameter |
Details |
|
Mode of Exam |
Online (Computer-Based Test) |
|
Type of Questions |
Objective Type / Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
|
Number of Questions |
100 questions |
|
Maximum Marks |
300 marks |
|
Exam Duration |
2 Hours (120 minutes) |
|
Sectional Timing |
None (Candidates can manage time across sections freely) |
|
Marking Scheme |
• +3 marks for every correct answer • -1 mark for every incorrect answer (Negative Marking) • 0 marks for unattempted questions |
Section-wise Question Distribution
The 100 questions are distributed across four main domains:
|
Section |
Topics Covered |
Marks |
|
General Awareness |
Current Affairs, History, Geography, Science, Defence, Sports |
75 |
|
Verbal Ability in English |
Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Error Spotting |
75 |
|
Numerical Ability |
Arithmetic, Data Interpretation, Number System |
75 |
|
Reasoning & Military Aptitude |
Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Ability, Non-Verbal Reasoning |
75 |
AFCAT 2 2026 Selection Process
The AFCAT 02/2026 selection is a multi-stage process designed to assess written aptitude, psychological fitness, leadership potential, and medical standards:
-
Stage 1 – AFCAT Written Examination: Online CBT with 100 questions / 300 marks. Candidates who clear the cutoff are shortlisted for AFSB.
-
Stage 2 – AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) – Stage 1: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test, Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT). Candidates are screened in or out based on performance.
-
Stage 3 – AFSB – Stage 2: Psychological Tests, Group Tests (GTO), and Personal Interview (PI) over four days. All recommended candidates proceed to the next stage.
-
Stage 4 – Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by the AFSB undergo a thorough medical examination as per IAF standards. Flying Branch has additional CPSS (Computerized Pilot Selection System) testing.
-
Stage 5 – Final Merit List & Joining: A final All-India merit list is prepared based on AFSB performance and medical fitness. Selected candidates join the respective courses in July 2027.