The Indian Air Force will conduct the AFCAT Exam 2026 starting in January for both male and female candidates. This is a national-level exam conducted twice a year. A bunch of Ground Duty (Non-Technical and Technical) and Gazetted Officers in Flying Branch vacancies are going to be released by the Indian Air Force to recruit talented and skilled candidates.
So, interested candidates need to follow the detailed information regarding the AFCAT Exam 2026-2027, which is mentioned below.
| Exam Name | AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) |
| Conducted by | Indian Air Force |
| Name of Vacancies | Flying, Ground Duty, and Weapon Systems (WS) Branch |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Frequency | Twice in a year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer Based Test) |
| Total Number of Questions | 100 |
| Exam Language | English |
| Selection Process | Written test – AFSB Test – Medical Examination |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
Dates for the AFCAT 1 2026 and AFCAT 2 2026 exams are featured on this page. If you are willing to participate in this exam, the listed table plays a vital role in knowing important dates and details. Remember to fill out your forms before the last date.
| Events | AFCAT 1 2026 | AFCAT 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Online Application | Started Nov 17, 2025; Closed Dec 19, 2025 | 1st week of June 2026 |
| Last date to apply | December 19, 2025 | Last week of June 2026 |
| Releasing the admit card | January 22, 2026 | August 2026 |
| Exam Date | January 31, 2026 (Saturday) | August/Sept 2026 |
| Result Announcement | March 2026 | September 2026 |
| General Awareness | English | Numerical Ability | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| History, Sports, Geography, Current Affairs, Politics, Defense | Synonyms/Antonyms, Comprehension, Error Detection, Tenses | Decimal/Fraction, Time & Work, Average, Profit & Loss, Ratio | Venn Diagram, Pattern Completion, Blood Relation, Coding-Decoding |
| Posts | Age Limit (as of Jan 1, 2027) | Qualification | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 years | Bachelor’s Degree (min 60%) + 10+2 with Physics & Math (min 50%) | Unmarried |
| Ground Duty (Tech) | 20 to 26 years | B.E./B. Tech (min 60%) for Technical streams. | Unmarried |
| Weapon Systems (WS) | 20 to 26 years | Mandatory 10+2 with 50% in Maths & Physics + Graduation (60%). | Unmarried |
You must meet the following height standards to remain eligible:
| Branch | Male Height | Female Height |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 162.5 cm | 162.5 cm |
| Ground Duty | 157.5 cm | 152 cm |
Note for Technical Branch: Eligible streams include Electronics, Mechanical, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering. The EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) has been discontinued; technical knowledge is now assessed through integrated sections or specific entry criteria.
If you clear the written test, you will be called for the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB):
1. How can I apply for AFCAT 2026?
To complete the AFCAT 2026 exam application, you will have to visit the official site of AFCAT and fill out the registration form during the active application window.
2. Who can apply for AFCAT 2026?
To apply for AFCAT 2026, aspirants must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or B.E./B. Tech with minimum 60% marks. Additionally, you must be an Indian citizen and possess 20 to 24 years of age (Flying) or 20 to 26 years (Ground Duty) as of 01 January 2027.
3. What is the date of AFCAT exam 2026?
The AFCAT 1 2026 exam is officially scheduled for January 31, 2026. For AFCAT 2, the exam is expected to be held in August 2026. You should be ready to fill the form as the notification comes out in June.
4. Is AFCAT 2026 postponed?
So far, we have not received any information regarding the exam postponement. Exams will happen as per the schedule released by the official sources at afcat.cdac.in.
5. What is the new Weapon Systems (WS) Branch?
The WS branch is a new Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branch. Based on our analysis, it requires a graduation degree with 60% marks and mandatory Physics/Maths at the 10+2 level.
We hope this updated guide for the AFCAT Exam 2026-2027 helps you kickstart your journey. Based on my experience, early preparation for the Reasoning and Numerical sections is key. If you have any questions about eligibility, comment below and our team will help you out!