Sky High Ambitions: Indian Air Force Recruitment 2025-26 (AFCAT 01/2026 & More)

Sky High Ambitions: Indian Air Force Recruitment 2025-26 (AFCAT 01/2026 & More)

Status: Active Now 🔴

Are you dreaming of a life less ordinary? The Indian Air Force (IAF) has just opened the doors to one of the most prestigious careers in the country. Whether you want to touch the sky as a pilot or command operations from the ground, the latest notification for AFCAT 01/2026 is your gateway.

If you are an aspiring defence personnel, this is the "Red Alert" you’ve been waiting for. Here is everything you need to know about the latest vacancies, eligibility, and how to apply.

Top Story: AFCAT 01/2026 Notification is OUT!

Status: Active Now (Apply Fast!)

The IAF has officially released the notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2026 course. This entry is for candidates looking to join as Commissioned Officers (Group A Gazetted Officers) in Flying and Ground Duty branches.

1. Timeline (Mark Your Calendar!)

·        Application Start Date: November 17, 2025 (11:00 AM)

·        Last Date to Apply: December 14, 2025 (11:00 PM)

·        Exam Date: January 31, 2026 (Tentative)

·        Course Commences: January 2027

2. Vacancy Breakdown

The IAF has announced approximately 340 vacancies for this intake.

·        Flying Branch: 30+ Seats (Men & Women)

·        Ground Duty (Technical): ~150 Seats (Aeronautical Engineering Electronics & Mechanical)

·        Ground Duty (Non-Technical): ~110 Seats (Admin, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorologist)

·        NCC Special Entry: 10% seats reserved (Direct SSB interview, no written exam).

3. Eligibility Criteria (As of Jan 1, 2027)

A. Age Limit:

·        Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years (Born between 02 Jan 2003 – 01 Jan 2007).

·        Ground Duty (Tech & Non-Tech): 20 to 26 years (Born between 02 Jan 2001 – 01 Jan 2007).

B. Educational Qualification:

·        Flying Branch: 10+2 (Maths & Physics) + Graduation (min 60%) OR B.E./B.Tech (min 60%).

·        Ground Duty (Technical): 10+2 (Maths & Physics) + B.Tech/B.E in relevant engineering discipline.

·        Ground Duty (Non-Tech): Graduation (60%) for Admin/Logistics; B.Com (60%) for Accounts; PG (50%) for Education.

4. Selection Process: The 3-Stage Gateway

1.     Online Written Exam (AFCAT): Tests General Awareness, English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning.

2.     AFSB Interview: A 5-day interview process for successful candidates (Intelligence test, Psychological test, Group Tasks, Interview).

3.     Medical Examination: Final health check-up.

 Salary Insight: A Flying Officer receives a starting stipend of ₹56,100 (Level 10) during training, plus Military Service Pay (MSP) and allowances.

Upcoming Opportunities: What's Next?

While AFCAT is the hot topic today, many of you might be waiting for other entries. Here is the current status:

1. Agniveer Vayu Intake 01/2027 (Expected Soon)

·        Status: Coming Soon (Expected Dec 2025/Jan 2026).

·        Who is it for? 12th Pass candidates (Science & Non-Science subjects) aged 17.5 – 21 years.

·        Note: The previous cycle (Intake 02/2026) exams were held in Sept 2025. The notification for the next batch is expected to drop within the next 4-6 weeks. Keep your documents ready!

2. Group C Civilian Recruitment

·        Status: Periodic / Offline.

·        Details: These are support roles (LDC, MTS, Storekeeper) at various Air Force Stations.

·        Advice: These notifications are often released station-wise in the Employment News. Unlike AFCAT, these usually require offline application submission by post.

 How to Apply for AFCAT 01/2026

Don't wait for the last day (servers will get busy!). Follow these steps:

1.     Visit the Official Portal: Go to afcat.cdac.in.

2.     Register: Click on "Candidate Login" > "AFCAT 01/2026" > "Not Registered? Sign Up".

3.     Fill Details: Enter your personal details, educational qualifications, and Aadhar number.

4.     Upload Documents: Photo, Signature, and Thumb Impression (check size limits!).

5.     Pay Fee: ₹550 + GST (Non-refundable). NCC Special entry is free.

6.     Print: Save your application form for future reference.

 

Quick Preparation Tips

·        Know the Syllabus: AFCAT English and Reasoning are scoring sections. Don't ignore them!

·        Practice Speed: You have 2 hours for 100 questions. Speed is key.

·        Current Affairs: Focus on the last 6 months of defence news (Exercises, Awards, New inductions like C-295 or Tejas).

 

Download Official Notification

Want to read the fine print? Download the full PDF here:

https://t.me/zeroperiod17/6424 

Conclusion

The uniform is not just a job; it’s a way of life. With the AFCAT 01/2026 applications now open, you have a solid chance to earn your wings. If you are younger and waiting for Agniveer, use this time to train physically—your notification is just around the corner.

Have questions about the eligibility? Drop a comment below and I'll help you out!