{"id":907,"date":"2026-05-20T12:22:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T12:22:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/examupdates.co.in\/blog\/?p=907"},"modified":"2026-05-20T12:22:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T12:22:30","slug":"afcat-02-2026-online-form-notification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/examupdates.co.in\/blog\/afcat-02-2026-online-form-notification\/","title":{"rendered":"AFCAT 02\/2026 Online Form Out \u2013 Complete Guide online before June 19, 2026."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dream of wearing the blue uniform of the Indian Air Force? Your window is officially open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Indian Air Force (IAF)<\/strong> has released the AFCAT 02\/2026 official notification<\/strong> on 20th May 2026<\/strong>, and the online application process is now live. Whether you want to soar through the skies as a pilot or serve in a ground duty role, this recruitment cycle offers a serious opportunity \u2014 with 379 tentative vacancies<\/strong> across Flying and Ground Duty branches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But here’s the thing: the application window closes on 19th June 2026<\/strong>. That gives you just about four weeks. Every day matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this complete guide, you’ll find everything you need \u2014 important dates, eligibility criteria, vacancies, exam pattern, how to apply online, and preparation tips \u2014 all in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table of Contents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. AFCAT 02\/2026 \u2013 Quick Overview<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Important Dates<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Vacancy Details<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Eligibility Criteria<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Application Fee<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. How to Apply Online \u2013 Step by Step<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. AFCAT Exam Pattern 2026<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Selection Process<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Salary & Benefits After Selection<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Preparation Tips for AFCAT 02\/2026<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Common Mistakes to Avoid<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    AFCAT 02\/2026 \u2013 Quick Overview <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Parameter<\/th>Details<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Conducting Body<\/td>Indian Air Force (IAF)<\/td><\/tr>
    Exam Name<\/td>Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)<\/td><\/tr>
    Notification Released<\/td>20th May 2026<\/td><\/tr>
    Application Mode<\/td>Online only<\/td><\/tr>
    Official Website<\/td>afcat.edcil.co.in<\/td><\/tr>
    Vacancies<\/td>379 (Tentative)<\/td><\/tr>
    Course Commencement<\/td>July 2027<\/td><\/tr>
    Training Location<\/td>Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The AFCAT is conducted twice a year<\/strong> by the Indian Air Force to recruit Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officers for Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. It is one of the most prestigious defence exams in India and a direct route to an officer-level career in the IAF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Important Dates for AFCAT 02\/2026 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Mark these dates on your calendar right now. Missing any one of them could cost you an entire year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Event<\/th>Date<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Notification Released<\/strong><\/td>12th May 2026<\/td><\/tr>
    Application Form Opens<\/strong><\/td>20th May 2026<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Last Date to Apply Online<\/strong><\/td>19th June 2026 (11:30 PM)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    AFCAT Written Exam Date<\/strong><\/td>8th August 2026 (Saturday)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Course Commencement<\/strong><\/td>First Week of July 2027<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \n

    Important:<\/strong> The application portal closes at 2330 hours (11:30 PM)<\/strong> on 19th June 2026. Do not wait until the last moment \u2014 server traffic spikes on the final day.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Vacancy Details \u2013 AFCAT 02\/2026 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The IAF has announced 379 tentative vacancies<\/strong> for this cycle, distributed across three branches:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Flying Branch<\/strong> \u2013 For both men and women (through AFCAT and NCC Special Entry)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Ground Duty Technical Branch<\/strong> \u2013 Engineering and science graduates<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch<\/strong> \u2013 Graduates from any discipline<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Women candidates have separate specified vacancies in each branch. Refer to the official AFCAT 02\/2026 notification PDF for the exact branch-wise and gender-wise vacancy breakdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT 02\/2026 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Before you begin the application, confirm you meet every criterion below. Being ineligible at any stage \u2014 including the medical board \u2014 can lead to disqualification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      4.1 Nationality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      You must be a citizen of India<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      4.2 Age Limit (as on 01 January 2027)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      Branch<\/th>Age Limit<\/th>Date of Birth Range<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
      Flying Branch<\/strong> (AFCAT & NCC Entry)<\/td>20\u201324 years<\/td>02 Jan 2003 \u2013 01 Jan 2007<\/td><\/tr>
      Flying Branch<\/strong> (CPL holders)<\/td>20\u201326 years<\/td>02 Jan 2001 \u2013 01 Jan 2007<\/td><\/tr>
      Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical)<\/strong><\/td>20\u201326 years<\/td>02 Jan 2001 \u2013 01 Jan 2007<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \n

      Note:<\/strong> Candidates must be unmarried<\/strong> at the time of course commencement. Marriage during training is not permitted and will result in discharge.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      4.3 Educational Qualification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Flying Branch:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Passed 10+2 with minimum 50% in both Physics and Mathematics<\/strong>; OR<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Graduation<\/strong> (any discipline, 3-year course) with minimum 60% marks<\/strong>; OR<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • B.E.\/B.Tech<\/strong> (4-year course) with minimum 60% marks<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Ground Duty (Technical) Branch:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • B.E.\/B.Tech<\/strong> in relevant engineering disciplines (Aeronautical, Computer Science, Electronics, Mechanical, etc.) with minimum 60% marks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Graduation<\/strong> in any discipline with minimum 60% marks; OR<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Postgraduate degree or CA\/ICWA; OR<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Diploma in specific fields (for meteorology\/administration streams)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
            \n

            Final year students<\/strong> can also apply, provided they have no active backlogs<\/strong> at the time of application.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

            Application Fee <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            Category<\/th>Fee<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
            AFCAT Entry (All candidates)<\/td>\u20b9550 + 18% GST<\/td><\/tr>
            NCC Special Entry<\/td>Nil (No fee)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            Payment is accepted via Credit Card, Debit Card, and UPI<\/strong>. The fee is non-refundable<\/strong> under all circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            How to Apply Online for AFCAT 02\/2026 \u2013 Step by Step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            The entire process is online. Here’s exactly how to do it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Step 1:<\/strong> Visit the official portal \u2014 afcat.edcil.co.in<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Step 2:<\/strong> Click on the “AFCAT 02\/2026 Registration”<\/strong> link on the homepage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Step 3:<\/strong> Complete New Registration<\/strong> \u2014 enter your full name (as per Class 10 certificate), mobile number, and email ID. Verify via OTP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Step 4:<\/strong> Note down your Application Sequence Number<\/strong> carefully \u2014 you’ll need it for every future login<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Step 5:<\/strong> Log in and fill in your personal, academic, and contact details<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Step 6:<\/strong> Upload the required documents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Recent passport-size colour photograph (JPG\/JPEG)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Scanned signature (JPG\/JPEG)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Scanned left thumb impression (JPG\/JPEG)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Aadhaar Card (last 4 digits required)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Step 7:<\/strong> Pay the application fee online<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Step 8:<\/strong> Review all details and submit the form<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Step 9:<\/strong> Download and save the confirmation page<\/strong> for your records<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n

              Pro Tip:<\/strong> Keep your Aadhaar card number handy \u2014 it is mandatory<\/strong> for registration. Also, use the same photograph consistently throughout the entire selection process.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

              AFCAT 02\/2026 Exam Pattern <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              The AFCAT written exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT)<\/strong> of 2 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Subject<\/th>Questions<\/th>Marks<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
              General Awareness<\/td>25<\/td>75<\/td><\/tr>
              English<\/td>30<\/td>90<\/td><\/tr>
              Numerical Ability<\/td>15<\/td>45<\/td><\/tr>
              Reasoning & Military Aptitude<\/td>30<\/td>90<\/td><\/tr>
              Total<\/strong><\/td>100<\/strong><\/td>300<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

              Marking Scheme:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n