the Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2026 Course

Created by Sayooj NS in News 11 Nov 2025

the Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2026 Course

✈️ AFCAT 01/2026 Recruitment: Key Summary

Detail	Information
Recruitment	Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 01/2026) & NCC Special Entry
Posts	Commissioned Officers (Flying, Ground Duty Technical & Non-Technical)
Total Vacancies	340 (Tentative)
Course Commencing	January 2027
Online Application Window	17 November 2025 (11:00 AM) to 14 December 2025 (11:30 PM)
AFCAT Exam Date	31 January 2026 (Saturday)
Salary (Flying Officer)	Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) + MSP of ₹15,500/month
Application Fee	₹550/- + 18% GST (AFCAT Entry) / No Fee (NCC Special Entry)

🎓 Detailed Eligibility: Ground Duty (Technical) Branches

The eligibility for the Technical Branch requires a minimum of 50% marks each in Physics and Maths at the 10+2 level AND a minimum of 60% marks in a four-year degree/integrated post-graduation in Engineering/Technology in specific disciplines.

1. Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) {AE(L)}

Candidates must have a degree in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university with minimum 60% marks in one of the following disciplines:

Communication Engineering
Computer Engineering/Technology
Computer Engineering and Application
Computer Science and Engineering/Technology
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Electronics Engineering/Technology
Electronics Science and Engineering
Electronics
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Electronics and Computer Science
Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering
Electronics and/or Telecommunication Engineering (Microwave)
Electronics, Communication, and Instrumentation Engineering¹
Electronics Instrument & Control²
Electronics Instrument & Control Engineering³
Instrumentation & Control Engineering⁴
Instrument & Control Engineering⁵
Information Technology⁶
Spacecraft Technology
Engineering Physics
Electric Power and Machinery Engineering
Infotech Engineering
Cyber Security

2. Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) {AE(M)}

Candidates must have a degree in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university with minimum 60% marks in one of the following disciplines:

Aerospace Engineering⁷
Aeronautical Engineering⁸
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering⁹
Mechanical Engineering¹⁰
Mechanical Engineering and Automation¹¹
Mechanical Engineering (Production)¹²¹³
Mechanical Engineering (Repair and Maintenance)¹⁴¹⁵
Mechatronics¹⁶¹⁷
Industrial Engin¹⁸eering¹⁹
Manufacturing Engineering²⁰
Production and Industrial Engineering²¹
Materials Science and Engineering²²
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering²³
Aerospace and Applied Mechanics²⁴
Automotive Engineering²⁵
Robotics²⁶
Nanotechnology²⁷
Rubber Technology and Rubber Engineering²⁸

🎯 Selection Process

The selection involves three main stages:

AFCAT Written Examination: An online CBT with a negative marking scheme. Candidates for the Technical Branch must also clear the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).
Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview: A multi-day assessment including Screening, Psychological Tests, Group Tests, and a Personal Interview.
Medical Examination: A final, thorough medical and physical examination as per IAF standards.