The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), conducted twice a year by the Indian Air Force (IAF), is the gateway to becoming a commissioned officer in the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches. This guide covers the complete AFCAT 2026 syllabus, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, vacancies, and preparation strategy based on the official AFCAT 2/2026 notification.
AFCAT 2026: Overview
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) |
| Frequency | Twice a year (AFCAT 1 and AFCAT 2) |
| AFCAT 2/2026 Application Window | 20 May 2026 to 19 June 2026 |
| AFCAT 2/2026 Exam Date | 8 August 2026 |
| Total Vacancies (AFCAT 2/2026) | 379 (tentative) |
| Selection Process | Written Exam (AFCAT + EKT) → AFSB Interview → Medical Exam |
| Application Fee | ₹550 + 18% GST (exempt for NCC Special Entry & GATE Entry) |
AFCAT 2026: Vacancy Breakdown
The Indian Air Force has declared 379 tentative vacancies for AFCAT 2/2026 across the following branches:
| Branch | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 35 (30 men, 5 women, SSC) |
| Ground Duty (Technical) – incl. Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics & Mechanical) | 211 |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) – Weapon Systems, Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology | 107 |
| GATE Score Entry (Ground Duty Technical) | 26 |
Note: Vacancy numbers are revised for every AFCAT cycle. Always cross-check the exact figures in the latest official notification at afcat.cdac.in before applying.
AFCAT 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
| Branch | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry) | 20-24 years as on course commencement (relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence) |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) | 20-26 years as on course commencement |
Educational Qualification
- Flying Branch: Minimum 3-year graduation degree with Maths and Physics at 10+2 level, OR BE/B.Tech degree
- Ground Duty (Technical): BE/B.Tech in a relevant engineering discipline, OR MSc in Electronics/Physics/Computer Science with Maths and Physics at 10+2, OR qualified via GATE score (within 3 years of completing BE/B.Tech)
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Graduation degree in any discipline (minimum 60% marks, varies by sub-branch); Weapon Systems Branch additionally requires Maths and Physics at 10+2 level
AFCAT 2026: Exam Pattern
AFCAT selection involves an online written test, followed by the AFSB interview and a medical examination.
AFCAT Written Test (All Candidates)
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 300 (3 marks per correct answer) |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Negative Marking | 1 mark deducted per wrong answer |
| Sections | General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test |
Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) – Ground Duty Technical Candidates Only
| Total Questions | 50 |
| Total Marks | 150 |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
| Subject Areas | Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering (choose your relevant stream) |
| Negative Marking | 1 mark deducted per wrong answer |
AFCAT 2026: Syllabus Highlights
- General Awareness: Current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, general science, defence & space
- Verbal Ability: Comprehension, error detection, sentence completion, vocabulary, synonyms/antonyms
- Numerical Ability: Decimal fractions, ratio & proportion, average, percentage, profit & loss, time & work, simplification
- Reasoning & Military Aptitude: Verbal and non-verbal reasoning, spatial ability, numerical series, direction sense, military-situation-based questions
Selection Process After the Written Exam
- AFSB Interview: A 5-day multi-stage assessment (Officer Intelligence Rating tests, Psychological tests, Group Testing Officer tasks, Personal Interview, Conference)
- Medical Examination: Conducted by Air Force medical boards as per IAF medical standards
- Final Merit List: Based on combined AFSB and written exam performance
AFCAT 2026: Preparation Strategy
- Start with NCERT-level General Science, History, Geography, and Polity to strengthen General Awareness
- Read a daily newspaper for current affairs, with special focus on defence, space, and sports news
- Practice previous years’ AFCAT question papers to understand the difficulty level and time management
- Ground Duty Technical aspirants should revise core engineering subjects (as per their EKT stream) from standard undergraduate textbooks
- Work on verbal and non-verbal reasoning daily since Military Aptitude questions carry significant weight
Related Defence Exams
If you’re preparing for AFCAT, you may also be preparing for other UPSC-conducted defence exams: NDA Exam, CDS Exam, and CAPF AC Exam.
FAQs: AFCAT 2026
Q1. How many times is AFCAT conducted in a year?
A. AFCAT is conducted twice a year — AFCAT 1 (around February) and AFCAT 2 (around August) — each with its own separate notification, application window, and exam date.
Q2. Is there negative marking in AFCAT?
A. Yes, 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer in both the AFCAT written test and the EKT.
Q3. Do Ground Duty Non-Technical candidates need to take the EKT?
A. No, the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) is only for candidates applying to Ground Duty (Technical) branches. Flying Branch and Ground Duty Non-Technical candidates only take the main AFCAT written test.
Q4. What is the age limit for AFCAT Flying Branch?
A. Candidates must be between 20 and 24 years of age as on course commencement, relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).