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AFCAT 1 2026 — Exam Date Feb 16-18, Eligibility, Syllabus, AFSB Process & Complete Guide
Indian Air Force (IAF)
Job Summary
AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) twice a year to induct officers into Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches. AFCAT 1 2026 written exam is scheduled for February 16–18, 2026.
Detailed Notification & Overview
AFCAT 1 2026 — At a Glance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force (IAF) / CDAC |
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 1) 2026 |
| Branches Offered | Flying, Ground Duty Technical (AE), Ground Duty Non-Technical |
| Selection Process | AFCAT CBT → AFSB Interview → Medical → Training |
| Official Portal | afcat.cdac.in |
AFCAT 1 2026 — Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | December 1, 2025 |
| Application Start | December 1, 2025 |
| Application Last Date | December 30, 2025 |
| AFCAT Admit Card | February 2026 |
| AFCAT Written Exam | February 16–18, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | March 2026 |
| AFSB Interview Dates | April–July 2026 |
AFCAT 2026 — Eligibility Criteria
Key Rule: Physics and Mathematics must have been studied at Class 10+2 (intermediate) level — regardless of graduation stream (minimum 60% marks in graduation required).
| Branch | Minimum Qualification | Percentage | Board Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying | Graduation in any discipline | 60% | Physics + Maths at 12th level |
| AE(L/M) Technical | B.E./B.Tech (relevant streams) | 60% | Physics + Maths at 12th level |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | Graduation in any discipline | 60% | Physics + Maths at 12th level |
AFCAT 1 2026 — Exam Pattern (CBT)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 |
| Verbal Ability in English | 25 | 75 |
| Numerical Ability | 18 | 54 |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | 32 | 96 |
| Total | 100 | 300 |
AFCAT 2026 — Detailed Syllabus
General Awareness (25 Q)
- Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Defence & Security
- Science & Technology, Current Affairs, IAF-specific aircraft and history
Verbal Ability in English (25 Q)
- Reading Comprehension, Cloze test, Error Spotting, Synonyms/Antonyms, One Word Substitution
Numerical Ability (18 Q)
- Decimal & Fractions, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Speed & Distance
Reasoning & Military Aptitude (32 Q)
- Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning, Clock & Calendar, Military Aptitude
AFSB Interview — 5-Day Selection Process
- Stage 1 (Day 1): Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) + Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT).
- Stage 2 (Days 2–5): Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD), Group Tasks (GD, GTO, Command Task), Lecturette & Personal Interview.
- CPSS (Flying Branch Only): Computerised Pilot Selection System — once in a lifetime test.
IAF Officer Salary & Allowances
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Level 10) | ₹56,100 |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹15,500 |
| DA (55%) | ~₹12,210 |
| HRA (Metro) | ~₹9,247 |
| Transport Allowance | ~₹7,200 |
| Flying Allowance (Pilots) | ₹25,000 |
| Total In-Hand (Pilots) | ~₹1,25,000–₹1,40,000/month |
| Total In-Hand (Ground Duty) | ~₹1,00,000–₹1,10,000/month |
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Official Notification Explainer
Important Dates
Notification Released
01 Dec 2025
Application Start Date
01 Dec 2025
Application Last Date
30 Dec 2025
AFCAT Admit Card Release
Feb 2026
AFCAT 1 2026 Written Exam
16–18 Feb 2026
Result Declaration
March 2026
AFSB Interview Stage
April–July 2026
Application Fees
AFCAT Entry (All Candidates)₹550/- + GST
NCC Special EntryExempted (Nil)
Vacancy Details (Refer Notification)
Flying Branch
Refer PDF PostsGraduation (60%) with Physics & Maths at 10+2
Category Distribution
URYes
CPSS TestMandatory
Ground Duty (Technical) - AE(L/M)
Refer PDF PostsB.E. / B.Tech (60%) in Electronics/Mechanical
Category Distribution
URYes
EKT ExamMandatory
Ground Duty (Non-Technical)
Refer PDF PostsGraduation in any stream with min 60% marks
Category Distribution
URYes
Admin/LogisticsAvailable
| Post Name | Total | Qualification | Category Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | Refer PDF | Graduation (60%) with Physics & Maths at 10+2 | URYes CPSS TestMandatory |
| Ground Duty (Technical) - AE(L/M) | Refer PDF | B.E. / B.Tech (60%) in Electronics/Mechanical | URYes EKT ExamMandatory |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Refer PDF | Graduation in any stream with min 60% marks | URYes Admin/LogisticsAvailable |
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AFCAT 1 2026 exam date?
AFCAT 1 2026 written examination is scheduled for February 16 to 18, 2026, conducted in online CBT mode at designated centers across India.
What is the eligibility for AFCAT 2026?
Candidates must be Indian citizens with a graduation degree (minimum 60% marks) in any stream. Physics and Mathematics must have been studied at the 10+2 (Class 12) level.
What is the age limit for AFCAT Flying Branch?
For Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years. For Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years.
What happens after clearing the AFCAT written exam?
Candidates who clear the AFCAT written exam are called for the AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) 5-day interview process.
What is CPSS in AFCAT Flying Branch?
CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System) is a mandatory pilot aptitude test conducted at AFSB. It can only be attempted ONCE in a lifetime.
What is the salary of an IAF officer after AFCAT?
A Flying Officer earns basic pay of ₹56,100 (Level 10) plus MSP (₹15,500/month), HRA, DA, and Flying Allowance of ₹25,000/month for pilots (Total in-hand: ₹1,10,000 – ₹1,40,000/month).
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Application Fee
- AFCAT Entry (All Candidates)₹550/- + GST
- NCC Special EntryExempted (Nil)
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