Indian Air force Recruitment 2026 - Highlights
- Organization Name : Indian Air Force (IAF)
- Post Name : Group 'A' Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches
- Job Type : Defence / Central Government Commissioned Officer Job
- Recruitment Type : Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT - 01/2027) for Courses Commencing in January 2028
- Advt No : AFCAT-01/2027
- Vacancies : 284 (AFCAT and GATE Score Entry)
- Job Location : Across India
- Salary : Rs.56,100 - Rs.1,77,500 (Per Month)
- Mode of Application : Online
- Reopen Application Start : 12.11.2026
- Reopen Last Date : 11.12.2026
Job Details Descriptions
Important Date : Indian Air force Recruitment 2026
- Notification Release Date : 12 November 2026
- Starting Date for Apply : 12 November 2026
- Last Date to Apply : 11 December 2026
- Online Examination Date : 31 January 2027 (Sunday)
- Admit Card Download Date : 27 January 2027 onwards
- Course Commencement Date : January 2028
Vacancy Details : Indian Air force Recruitment 2026
- Men (SSC): 28 vacancies
- Women (SSC): 08 vacancies
- Total: 36 vacancies
- Men (PC): 05 vacancies
- Women (PC): 02 vacancies
- Men (SSC): 54 vacancies
- Women (SSC): 27 vacancies
- Total: 88 vacancies
- Men (PC): 08 vacancies
- Women (PC): 02 vacancies
- Men (SSC): 18 vacancies
- Women (SSC): 08 vacancies
- Total: 36 vacancies
- Weapon Systems (WS): Men (PC): 0 | Women (PC): 0 | Men (SSC): 25 | Women (SSC): 05 (Total: 30)
- Administration: Men (PC): 01 | Women (PC): 01 | Men (SSC): 34 | Women (SSC): 17 (Total: 53)
- Logistics (Lgs): Men (PC): 01 | Women (PC): 01 | Men (SSC): 06 | Women (SSC): 03 (Total: 11)
- Accounts: Men (PC): 01 | Women (PC): 01 | Men (SSC): 03 | Women (SSC): 03 (Total: 06)
- Education: Men (PC): 01 | Women (PC): 01 | Men (SSC): 01 | Women (SSC): 01 (Total: 03)
- Meteorology: Men (PC): 01 | Women (PC): 01 | Men (SSC): 01 | Women (SSC): 00 (Total: 02)
- 10% of seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC (Men)
- 10% of seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC (Men & Women)
- AE(L): Men (PC): 01 | Women (PC): 01 | Men (SSC): 06 | Women (SSC): 03 (Total: 11)
- AE(M): Men (PC): 01 | Women (PC): 01 | Men (SSC): 02 | Women (SSC): 01 (Total: 05)
Salary Details : Indian Air force Recruitment 2026
Stipend during Training: Flight Cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month during training.
Pay on Commissioning:
- Rank: Flying Officer
- Pay Level: Level 10 (Rs.56,100 - Rs.1,77,500)
- Military Service Pay (MSP): Rs.15,500/- per month
Insurance: Rs.1.25 Cr Insurance Cover (on contribution) for death while in service; Air Veterans Insurance Cover post retirement.
Age Limit : Indian Air force Recruitment 2026
- Flying Branch (via AFCAT & NCC Special Entry): 20 to 24 years (Born between 02 January 2004 and 01 January 2008, both dates inclusive). Upper age limit relaxable up to 26 years for valid Commercial Pilot License holders issued by DGCA India.
- Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branches: 20 to 26 years (Born between 02 January 2002 and 01 January 2008, both dates inclusive).
- Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried at the commencement of and during the training period.
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Qualification : Indian Air force Recruitment 2026
1. Flying Branch
- Minimum 3-year graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university with minimum 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level; OR BE/B.Tech degree; OR equivalent Associate Membership clearing examination.
- Passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, and minimum 4-year graduation/integrated post-graduation degree in Engineering/Technology or cleared relevant professional institute examinations across designated engineering disciplines (AE(L) and AE(M)).
- Weapon Systems / Administration / Logistics: Graduate degree (minimum 3-year course) in any discipline.
- Accounts: B.Com, BBA/BMS/BBS with Finance specialization, qualified CA/CMA/CS/CFA, or B.Sc. with Finance specialization.
- Education: Post-Graduation in any discipline with integrated courses or graduation background.
- Meteorology: Post-graduation in any science stream / Mathematics / Statistics / Geography / Computer Applications / Environment Science / Engineering or B.Sc with Physics and Mathematics.
- AFCAT Entry : Rs.550/- + 18% GST (Non-refundable)
- NCC Special Entry / GATE Score Entry : Examination fee is not applicable
Selection Process : Indian Air force Recruitment 2026
Online Examination (AFCAT): Objective type test consisting of General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test (Total 300 marks). Marking scheme: +3 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect answers.
Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing: Shortlisted candidates undergo a two-stage testing process at AFSB centres (Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, or Guwahati):
Final Merit List: Prepared based on written exam and AFSB scores, subject to medical fitness and vacancy availability.
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- Stage-I: Officer Intelligence Rating Test, Picture Perception, and Discussion Test (Screening).
- Stage-II: Psychological tests, Group tests, Interview, and Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) for Flying Branch.
Final Merit List: Prepared based on written exam and AFSB scores, subject to medical fitness and vacancy availability.
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How to Apply : Indian Air force Recruitment 2026
If you are interested and found yourself eligible for Group 'A' Gazetted Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches, click on the apply online link given below. Then, find the appropriate option and fill up the form. You can apply online from 12 Nov 2026 to 11 Dec 2026.
Follow the steps given below to Apply Online
- Visit the official AFCAT website: [https://afcat.edcil.co.in](https://afcat.edcil.co.in)
- Click on "Sign Up" and register using a valid mobile number and email ID.
- Complete Step-I registration to receive your User ID and System-Generated Password via email and SMS.
- Re-login, fill out the Online Application Form with personal, communication, and educational details.
- Upload scanned copies of your passport-size color photograph (100kb-200kb), signature (80kb-150kb), and thumb impression (50kb-100kb) in JPEG/JPG format.
- Complete the fee payment through the online payment gateway (if applicable).
- Submit the form, download the final application confirmation page, and keep a printout for future reference. * Note: Aadhaar Card is mandatory for online registration, and only the last 4 digits are required.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
- The last date to submit online applications is 11 December 2026 (23:30 Hr).
- Candidates can apply online through [https://afcat.edcil.co.in](https://afcat.edcil.co.in).
- The age limit is 20 to 24 years as on 01 January 2028 (born between 02 January 2004 and 01 January 2008).
- Yes, Aadhaar Card is mandatory for online registration.
- The application fee is Rs. 550/- plus 18% GST for AFCAT entry, whereas it is exempted for NCC Special Entry candidates.
- The online examination will be conducted on 31 January 2027 (Sunday).
- The exam covers General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test.
- Three marks are awarded for every correct answer, and one mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. Unattempted questions carry no marks.
- Yes, students studying in the final year/semester can apply provided they have no backlogs and can submit proof of passing by 30 November 2027.
- AFSB centres are located in Dehradun (1 AFSB), Mysuru (2 AFSB), Gandhinagar (3 AFSB), Varanasi (4 AFSB), and Guwahati (5 AFSB).
About the Author
Maqsood is the founder and editor of Easy Job Alerts. He regularly publishes updates on Government Jobs, PSC Notifications, Results, Admit Cards, Scholarships, Entrance Exams, and Career Opportunities to help job seekers stay informed.