Indian Air Force Recruitment 2026 | 340 Posts | AFCAT 01/2026

Indian Air Force Recruitment 2026 |340 Posts | Air Force Common Admission Test – AFCAT 2026 | BE/ B.Tech/ Any Degree | Across India | Last Date: 9th December 2025

Organization: Indian Air Force (IAF)
Indian Air Force Recruitment 2026: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. It is the world’s fourth largest air force in terms of both personnel and aircraft. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict.

After India became independent from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Dominion of India, with the prefix being dropped when India became a republic in 1950.

Official Website: www.careerairforce.nic.in

Positions: Commissioned Officers

Exam Name/ Course: Air Force Common Admission Test – AFCAT-01/2026

Total Vacancies: 340

Job Location: Across India

Pay Scale: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/- PM

Eligibility Criteria for Indian Air Force Recruitment 2026:

Flying Branch:

Candidates should have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level and
Graduation with a minimum three years degree course in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent OR
BE/ B.Tech degree (Four-year course) from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. OR
Candidates who have cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
Final year students are eligible to apply provided the candidate should not have any present backlog and should have secured a minimum of 60% marks up to the last semester/ year at the time of AFSB testing and they produce a provisional/ original degree issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.

For NCC Special Entry (Flying Branch):

Candidates should have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level and
Graduation with minimum three years degree course in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent OR
BE/ B.Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. OR
Candidates who have cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
Final year students are eligible to apply provided candidate should not have any present backlog and should have secured a minimum of 60% marks up to the last semester/ year at the time of AFSB testing and they produce provisional/ original degree issued by the University as per the date stipulated in the advertisement.

For Ground Duty (Technical):

Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics)/(Mechanical):

Eligible only when a candidate should have minimum of 50% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and have undergone any one of the following educational qualifications:-
- A minimum of four year graduation / integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering / Technology from recognised university OR
- Cleared Section A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) OR
- Cleared Section A and B examination of Aeronautical Society of India OR
- Graduate membership examination of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies
- With a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in the following disciplines (check the official website for relevant disciplines)

For Ground Duty (Non-Technical)

Administration

Passed 10+2 and Graduate Degree (Minimum three years degree course) in any discipline from a recognised university with minimum 60% marks or equivalent or cleared section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

Education:

Passed 10+2 and Post-Graduation with 50% in any discipline including integrated courses offering PG (Single degree without permission to exit and lateral entry) and with 60% marks in Graduation in any discipline

Weapon System:

Candidates should have mandatorily passed with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level and
Graduation with minimum three years degree course in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent. OR
BE/ B.Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

Accounts:

Passed 10+2 and done graduation in any of the following streams with 60 % marks or equivalent from a recognized university:-
B.Com degree (minimum three year degree course)
Bachelor of Business Administration (with specialization in Finance)/ Bachelor of Management Studies (with specialization in Finance)/ Bachelor of Business Studies (with specialization in Finance)
Qualified CA/ CMA/ CS/ CFA.
B.Sc with specialization in Finance.

Logistics:

Passed 10+2 and Graduate Degree (Minimum three year degree course) in any discipline from a recognised university with 60% marks or equivalent or cleared section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

Meteorology:

Passed 10+2 and B.Sc with Physics and Mathematics with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent or four year Graduation in Engineering/Technology discipline with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in the following streams:-
- Communication Engineering.
- Computer Engineering/Technology.
- Computer Engineering and Application.
- Computer Science and Engineering/Technology.
- Electrical and Computer Engineering.
- Electrical and Electronics 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 Engineering.
- Information Technology.
- Mechanical Engineering.

Training: Training will commence in the last week of December 2026 / first week of January 2027 for all courses at Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad). The duration of training for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) Branches is 62 weeks and that of Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches is 50 weeks at Air Force Training Establishments. PAN Card and account in SB/ Nationalised Bank is mandatory at the time of joining Air Force Academy. Aadhaar Card is mandatory for registration.

Age Limit:

Flying Branch – 20 to 24 years as on 1st January 2027
Ground Duty (Technical/ Non-Technical Branches) – 20 to 26 years as on 1st January 2027.

Selection Process For Indian Air Force Recruitment 2026:

The selection process will be based on AFCAT written examination
Stage-I – Officer Intelligence Rating Test along with Picture Perception and Discussion test
STAGE-I is a screening test. Those who qualify STAGE-I are eligible to undergo STAGE-II testing. STAGE-I disqualified candidates are routed back after announcement of results.
Stage-II
- Psychological Tests are written tests that a Psychologist conducts.
- Group Tests are interactive indoor and outdoor activities which are a combination of mental and physical work.
- Interview involves a personal conversation with an Interviewing Officer.
- Candidates who have applied for flying branch and have been recommended, will also have to undergo a Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test
An All India Merit List is compiled on the basis of your performance in the written test and AFSB interview, subject to being medically fit.

Examination Fee: