AFCAT 2 Notification 2026: What you must know first

Indian Air Force released the AFCAT 02/2026 notification on May 20, 2026 for courses commencing July 2027 . The drive offers 370 Grade A vacancies across the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (technical and non-technical) streams, including NCC special entry and GATE score entry.

Read the official notification on careerairforce.gov.in and plan to apply during the window: May 20 to June 19, 2026 .

AFCAT 2 Notification 2026 — At a glance: what the notification announces

• One-line summary: The IAF has opened AFCAT 02/2026 for selection into courses starting in July 2027 , with 370 vacancies for commissioned officers.
• Branches covered: Flying Branch; Ground Duty (Technical); Ground Duty (Non-Technical). The notification also includes NCC special entry and GATE score entry slots.
• Quick action checklist for you: read the official notification on careerairforce.gov.in, gather your documents (degree, ID, photos), ensure you meet age and education limits, and apply online before June 19, 2026 .

Important dates and vacancy snapshot (AFCAT 2 Notification 2026)

Branch-wise vacancy snapshot

Note: The NCC special entry allocation is specified as 10% seats in the notification framework. For exact interpretation (PC/SSC implications) refer to the official PDF on careerairforce.gov.in.

Who is eligible? Age, education and entry-specific highlights

• Education: Minimum requirement is graduation in the relevant discipline. Role-specific subject requirements and marks criteria are given in the official notification. Read role-wise eligibility in the PDF before applying.

• Age limits:

• Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years .

• Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years .

• Special entries:

• NCC special entry: Notification mentions 10% seats (refer to official PDF for how these seats are carved from AFCAT/CDSE vacancies).
• GATE score entry: Available for Ground Duty (Technical) with 20 posts for men and 6 for women.

If you are borderline on any criteria (age, discipline, or marks), check the official advertisement carefully. The notification contains detailed, post-wise eligibility rules you must meet before applying.

Step-by-step: How to apply online on careerairforce.gov.in

1. Prepare first
2. Keep scanned copies ready: recent passport-size photograph, full-signature, degree/marksheet, DOB proof (Aadhaar/PAN/passport), and any category certificates if applicable.

3. Keep a valid email ID and mobile number; you will receive application confirmations and further instructions there.

4. Create account and start form

5. Visit careerairforce.gov.in and use the AFCAT 02/2026 online application link active from May 20, 2026 .
6. Register with your email/phone, verify OTP, and create a login.

7. Fill personal details, educational qualifications, and select the entry/branch you want to apply for.

8. Upload files and check

9. Upload scanned photo and signature in the specified format and size. Follow file size and dimension instructions on the portal to avoid rejection.

10. Double-check spellings, date of birth, and academic information. Mistakes here can hurt your candidature later.

11. Fee payment

12. Application fee is Rs 550 + 18% GST . Payment is online — card/netbanking/UPI as permitted on the portal.

13. Keep transaction reference and screenshot of payment confirmation.

14. Submit and save proof

15. Submit the form and download/print the application confirmation page. Note your application number.
16. You will need this for future communication, admit card download, and SSB call-ups.

If you face technical glitches while applying, attempt payment well before the last date and use a stable network. For any official clarifications, use contact details on careerairforce.gov.in.

Selection process explained: From written test to final medical

The selection has three main stages: written test, SSB interview, and medical examination.

• Stage 1 — AFCAT written test: This paper shortlists candidates for SSB interviews. The written test assesses general awareness, numerical ability, reasoning, and technical knowledge for technical posts. Prepare to perform well in time management and accuracy.

• Stage 2 — SSB interview: Shortlisted candidates will be called for SSB. The SSB evaluates personality, leadership, and officer-like qualities over several days. The SSB stage remains crucial; perform consistently across tasks and interviews rather than trying to shine in one test.

• Stage 3 — Medical examination: Candidates recommended by SSB must clear the prescribed medical standards. Medical fitness decides final suitability for service. Official medical standards are in the notification — check them carefully.

How selection works: Written test scores and SSB recommendations determine merit lists. Final selection depends on medical clearance and fulfilment of eligibility norms.

Preparation plan: Study strategy, syllabus areas and exam day tips

A focused 8–12 week plan can work well if you study consistently.

• Week-by-week focus (example):
• Weeks 1–3: Build fundamentals — English, Reasoning, and Numerical Ability.
• Weeks 4–6: Technical subjects (if applying for Ground Duty Technical) and General Awareness (current affairs, defence basics).
• Weeks 7–8: Mock tests, time management, accuracy, and weak-area revision.

• Weeks 9–12: Intensive mocks and SSB introduction sessions if you clear the written test.

• High-priority topics: Comprehension and sentence errors for English; arithmetic, algebra and speed for Numerical Ability; logical puzzles and verbal reasoning; basic engineering subjects for technical posts; current affairs and defence-related GK.

• Suggested resources: Standard AFCAT preparation books, previous years’ question papers, topic-wise mock tests, and timed full-length mocks. Use online mock test platforms that mimic the actual test environment.

• Exam day tips:

• Reach the centre early and carry valid ID and admit card when released.
• Manage time: do easier questions first, mark tough ones for review.
• Watch negative marking; avoid blind guessing.
• Use rough work zones provided; keep calm and read questions carefully.

Documents, medical & physical standards to prepare in advance

• Core documents to keep ready: Graduation degree and mark sheet, DOB proof (Aadhaar or passport), scanned photograph and signature, category certificate (if applicable), NCC certificates (if applying under NCC entry), and GATE score card (if applying under GATE entry).

• Medical and physical pointers: The notification requires candidates to meet medical and physical standards. Typical checks include vision, ENT, general physical fitness and minimum height norms for some branches. Exact parameters and acceptable limits are in the official notification’s medical section.

• Handling discrepancies: If a document is missing or has mismatched details, begin corrections early. Contact your university or issuing authority well before the application deadline. Any mismatch discovered during SSB/medical can lead to disqualification.

Reservation, category-wise seats and additional entries (what to note)

• The notification lists total vacancies; detailed category-wise reservation breakout is provided in the official PDF. If you belong to SC/ST/OBC/EWS or other reserved categories, check the notification for your exact entitlement and any required certificates.

• NCC special entry and GATE entry: NCC entry is indicated as 10% seats ; GATE entry has specific seats ( 20 men, 6 women ) in Ground Duty (Technical). These slots have their own eligibility rules and document requirements — see the official advertisement for details.

• Always attach correct and valid category certificates when applying; missing or non-standard certificates may not be accepted later.

Post-selection: Training, service terms and where to find pay details

• After SSB recommendation and medical clearance, you will receive joining instructions and a training schedule. The course for successful candidates begins in July 2027 as per the notification.

• Pay scale, training duration and service terms are defined by the Indian Air Force and mentioned in the official notification or related service regulations. For exact pay figures and bond details, refer to the notification on careerairforce.gov.in.

• For administrative or joining queries, use the contact details and joining instructions provided with SSB/selection communication from the Air Force.

Common application pitfalls and practical tips to avoid them

• Frequent mistakes to avoid:
• Wrong date of birth or name spelling errors — these can cause rejection during verification.
• Uploading incorrect photo/signature format or exceeding file size limits.
• Applying for a post for which you don’t meet the specific discipline or age criteria.

• Delaying payment to the last day and facing site load or payment failures.

• Practical tips:

• Fill the form at least 3–4 days before the last date and complete payment early.
• Keep a scanned backup of every uploaded document.
• Note your application number and payment transaction ID.
• If you need clarification on eligibility, ask through official channels listed on careerairforce.gov.in rather than social media threads.

Quick checklist before you hit submit

• Verify all personal data: name, DOB, father’s name (if required), and correspondence details.
• Check educational entries: degree name, university, year of passing and marks/percentage.
• Confirm branch/entry selected (Flying / Ground Duty Technical / Ground Duty Non-Technical / NCC / GATE) — you cannot change this later easily.
• Ensure uploaded photo and signature meet dimensions and clarity requirements.
• Complete payment and save the fee receipt screenshot.
• Download/print the confirmation page and note your application number.

After submission, keep preparing. Written exam and SSB timelines will follow as per IAF schedule.

FAQs

Q1: How many vacancies are there in AFCAT 02/2026? A1: The notification lists 370 Grade A vacancies across Flying, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical), GATE and NCC entries.

Q2: What is the application period for AFCAT 02/2026? A2: You can apply online from May 20, 2026 to June 19, 2026 at careerairforce.gov.in.

Q3: What is the application fee for AFCAT 2 Notification 2026? A3: The application fee is Rs 550 + 18% GST payable online.

Q4: What are the main selection stages? A4: Selection involves a written AFCAT test, SSB interview for shortlisted candidates, and a final medical examination.

Q5: Where can I get detailed role-wise eligibility and medical standards? A5: Detailed post-wise eligibility, medical standards and reservation breakups are in the official AFCAT 02/2026 notification PDF on careerairforce.gov.in.

Q6: Are there special entries for NCC and GATE? A6: Yes. The notification includes an NCC special entry (allocated 10% seats per the framework) and GATE score entry for Ground Duty (Technical) with 20 seats for men and 6 for women. Check the PDF for exact rules.