AFCAT 1 2026 Notification [Eligibility, Syllabus and Exam date]

AFCAT 1 2026 Notification

AFCAT (1) 2026 Notification. Indian Air Force has release the notification for the courses commencing in January 2027 for grant of Commission in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches. Online applications are also invited for NCC Special Entry Scheme.

Eligibility Conditions:

(a) Nationality: Candidate must be a citizen of India.

(b) Age: (i) Flying Branch through AFCAT and NCC Special entry: 20 to 24 years as on 01 January 2027 i.e. born between 02 Jan 2003 to 01 Jan 2007 (both dates inclusive). Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 years i.e. born between 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jan 2007 (both dates inclusive).

(ii) Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch: 20 to 26 years as on 01 January 2027 i.e. born between 02 Jan 2001 to 01 Jan 2007 (both dates inclusive).

(c) Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course and marriage is not permitted during training. A candidate who marries during the period of training shall be discharged and will be liable to refund all expenditure incurred on him/her by the Government.

Educational Qualifications:

(i) Flying Branch: Candidates should have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level and graduation (B.e/B.Tech) with a minimum of 60% marks.

(ii) Ground Duty (Technical) Branch:

Candidates with a minimum of 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level, MSc Electronics with a minimum of 50% marks with BSc in Physics with a minimum of 60% OR a minimum of four years degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering.

(iii) Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches:

Graduate Degre in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% marks. For Weapon System Branch candidates should have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level along with graduation.

Vacancies:

Allotted vacancies for each branch is given below:

Exam Pattern:

The subjects, the time allowed and the maximum marks allotted to each subject will be as follows

Exam Dates:

Online AFCAT examination is expected to be conducted on 31 January 2026. The AFCAT exam will be conducted as per the following schedule

Syllabus:

(a) English: Comprehension, Detect Error in Sentence, Sentence Completion/ Filling in of correct word, Synonym/ Antonym, Cloze Test or Fill in the Gaps in a paragraph, Idioms and Phrases, Analogy, Sentence Rearranging, Substitution in a Sentence/ One Word Substitution. Transformation of Sentence (Complex to Simple), Homonyms.

(b) General Awareness: History, Geography, Sports, National & International Organisations, Art & Culture, Personalities, Environment & Ecology, Indian Polity, Economy, Basic Science Based Knowledge, Science & Technology, Current Affairs (National & International), Defence.

(c) Numerical Ability: Decimal Fraction, Time and Work, Average/ Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Time & Distance and Races (Trains/ Boats & Streams), Area and Perimeter, Probability, Number System & Number Series, Mixture & Allegation Rules, Square & Square root/Cube & Cube roots, HCF & LCM, Elementary Mensuration, Heights and Distance, Statistics (Mean, Median and Mode), Exponents and powers.

(d) Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test: Verbal and Non verbal reasoning.

How To Apply:

Aspirants for IAF are required to apply online by using the link https://afcat.edcil.co.in. Aadhaar Card is mandatory for online registration.

Before starting to fill in the application, the candidate should be ready with the following details/documents:

1. Valid E-mail ID & Mobile Number.
2. Scanned copy of the recent passport size colour Photograph. Candidates should ensure that the same photograph is used throughout this recruitment process.
3. Scanned signature & Thumb impression in JPG/JPEG format.
4. Aadhaar Card number (Last 4 Digits)

Candidates are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of Rs. 550/- + 18% GST (non-refundable) (not-applicable for NCC special entry).

How To Prepare:

Candidates preapring for AFCAT exam must refer AFCAT – The first step book.

AFCAT – The First Step Book consists of 4 comprehensive sections with a lot of practice questions to make you competent enough for the exam.

The general awareness section covers 1000+ questions on Current Affairs, Sports, Defence, History, Geography, Polity, Science, Arts and Culture etc. In addition, 17 out of 25 questions appeared from this book in GK section of AFCAT (2) 2025 exam.

Solve your numerical questions with amazing tricks which helps you to approach all the variants so that you can answer them with ease.

The verbal ability section also covers logics, approach & practice set to be confident enough in English.

The reasoning and military aptitude section includes verbal and non-verbal reasoning, spatial ability, rotated blocks, hidden figures etc. and will help you know all variants of questions asked.

ALSO READ : UPSC MCQs Secret to tackle General knowledge in NDA, CDS

Important Dates:

AFCAT (1) 2026 Notification : Download PDF