The Indian Air Force has released the AFCAT 2 Notification 2026 on its official website, afcat.edcil.co.in. The IAF has announced 379 vacancies (tentative) for Class-I Gazetted Officers in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. The application starts from 20th May and last date to apply online for AFCAT 2 is 19th June 2026. Held twice each year, the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) remains a key pathway for the Defence aspirants aiming to secure prestigious officer-level roles in the Indian Air Force, making the AFCAT 2 2026 Exam an important opportunity for those pursuing a career in the Flying and Ground Duty branches.

AFCAT Notification 2026 Out

The Indian Air Force has officially released the AFCAT 02/2026 Notification for SSC entry in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches for courses commencing in July 2027. Online applications have also been invited for NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. Interested candidates can apply online from 20 May 2026 to 19 June 2026 through the official AFCAT portal. Candidates are advised to carefully read the detailed notification before filling out the application form. The recruitment offers both Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission opportunities for men and women candidates.

AFCAT 02/2026 Notification PDF: Click to Download

What is AFCAT Exam?

The Air Force Common Admission Test is held twice a year, and interested candidates can apply online to join the IAF through this prestigious exam. Aspirants must perform well in all stages of the selection process to qualify. Those who clear the AFCAT online exam are shortlisted for the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing. Candidates applying for Ground Duty (Technical) must also appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT), while those applying for Non-Technical roles only need to take the AFCAT exam 2026. 

AFCAT 2 2026 Notification: Overview

The Airforce Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is a national-level exam conducted by the Indian Air Force to recruit candidates for Flying and Ground Duty branches. It is held twice a year, typically in February and August, offering opportunities to serve in various technical and non-technical roles.

AFCAT Exam Date 2026

The AFCAT Exam Date 2026 has been announced by the Indian Air Force through the latest AFCAT 2 2026 notification. 

AFCAT Vacancy 2026

The Air Force Common Admission Test Notification for the AFCAT 2 2026 is out on 20th May 2026 releasing the 379 number of vacancies. These vacancies are distributed across the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.

Know the AFCAT Preparation Tips and Ace the exam with Flying colors.

AFCAT 2 Apply Online Link

The AFCAT 2 Application Form Link 2026 has been activated by the Indian Air Force on 20th May 2026 at the official website. Eligible candidates can submit the AFCAT 2 application form online till 19th June 2026 for Flying Branch and Ground Duty posts. Candidates must complete registration, upload documents, and pay the application fee before the last date to avoid technical issues. The application form can be filled through the official AFCAT portal at afcat.edcil.co.in.

Direct Link for AFCAT 2 Apply Online Form 2026

Steps to Apply for AFCAT 2 2026 Application Form

Candidates seeking job opportunities in the Indian Air Force (IAF) can apply for AFCAT Notification 2026 through the official AFCAT EDCIL website. The application process is strictly online, and candidates must ensure they complete their submission before the AFCAT 2, 2026  last date to apply. It is important for applicants to review all the details carefully before applying. Only applications submitted through the official website will be accepted.

Step 1: Visit the AFCAT Official Website

Proceed to the AFCAT official website and click on the application link to start your application process.

Step 2: Complete Registration

Fill in your personal details such as name, email ID, phone number, etc., to complete the initial registration. This creates your unique applicant profile.

Step 3: Login and Fill in the Details

Log in using your newly created credentials and carefully fill in the application form with your desired selection entry, personal details, educational background, and other required information.

Step 4: Upload Required Documents

Upload the necessary documents in the prescribed format. This includes a photo, signature, and thumb impression, each sized between 10 and 50 kb in jpg/jpeg format. You can use the Testbook Resize Tool if needed.

Step 5: Select Exam City

Choose your preferred exam city from the list provided. This will determine where you will take the AFCAT exam.

Step 6: Pay Application Fee

Proceed to pay the requisite application fee through the available online payment options. This fee is necessary to complete your application process.

Step 7: Save Filled Application Form

After completing all the steps, save a copy of the fully filled application form for future reference. This will be useful for any follow-up or in case you need to reprint it later.

AFCAT Exam Application Fees 2026

Candidates applying for the AFCAT entry will have to pay an application fee while submitting the application form. Candidates applying for the NCC entry need not pay any application fee. The application fee should only be paid online. Payment through cash or demand draft (DD) will not be entertained. Candidates should keep the transaction details for future records.

AFCAT 2 Selection Process 2026

The selection process for the AFCAT Exam 2026 consists of multiple stages designed to evaluate a candidate’s mental, physical, and psychological abilities. As outlined in the AFCAT 2 2026 notification, candidates who clear the written exam will be issued call letters to appear for the AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) testing.

AFSB Testing Stage 1

This is the screening round consisting of the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and the Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PP&DT). Candidates who fail to clear Stage 1 will not proceed to Stage 2.

AFSB Testing Stage 2

Qualified candidates from Stage 1 will undergo psychological testing, group tasks, and a personal interview to evaluate leadership, communication, and psychological fitness. Additionally, candidates applying for the Flying Branch must take the Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test, which assesses their suitability to become pilots.

Medical Examination

Candidates recommended after AFSB will be called for a medical test at IAM Bengaluru or AFCME Delhi. A final merit list is then prepared, and successful candidates receive joining instructions for their respective training academies.

AFCAT 2 Eligibility 2026

The aspiring candidates must ensure that they satisfy the AFCAT eligibility criteria as required. Candidates need to meet all the required criteria as mentioned below. Read below to know more.

AFCAT 2 Exam Pattern 2026

The AFCAT 2 2026 exam pattern, as detailed in the latest AFCAT 2026 Notification, helps candidates understand the structure and prepare effectively. It covers key subjects, marks distribution, and the exam duration.

• The exam consists of 100 questions to be completed in 2 hours.
• Subjects include General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude.
• The total marks for the AFCAT exam are 300.

AFCAT 2 2026 Syllabus 

The AFCAT Exam 2026 Syllabus covers

• English (Synonyms, Comprehension, Error Detection, Antonyms, Sentence Rearrangement, Sentence Completion, Idioms and Phrases, Cloze Test, Analogy, One-word substitution),
• General Awareness (History, Geography, Civics, Environment, Basic Science, Polity, Defence, Art & Culture, Personalities, Current Affairs, Organizations, Sports),
• Numerical Ability (Time and Work, Average, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Time & Distance, Area and Perimeter, Probability, Number System, Mixture & Alligation, Clocks), and
• Reasoning and Military Aptitude (Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, Coding-Decoding, Series, Classification, Analogy, Venn Diagrams, Data Interpretation, Mental Ability, Military Aptitude).

Candidates should make a study plan to counter vast syllabus on daily basis.

AFCAT 2 2026 Salary

The Indian Air Force offers a variety of advantages to eligible candidates along with a handsome salary. The initial stipend payable to the trainee candidates at the time of training is Rs. 56100/- per month. The table below mentions the details of pay band, military service pay, and the CPC for AFCAT Salary which are offered to the employees.

AFCAT Exam Books for Preparation

To excel in the AFCAT 2 2026 Notification, it’s important to prepare each section with the right study materials. Here are some recommended AFCAT books categorized by the key subjects of the syllabus to help candidates strengthen their skills effectively.

• AFCAT Books for General Awareness: The Malayala Manorama English Yearbook, Plinth to Paramount by Neetu Singh (KD Publication), Lucent’s General Knowledge.
• AFCAT Books for English Verbal Ability: Verbal Reasoning by Bhupendra Kumar Singh, Objective General English by Dr. R.S. Aggarwal.
• AFCAT Books for Numerical Ability: Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation by Disha Publication, Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal.
• AFCAT Books for Reasoning / Military Aptitude: Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by McGraw Hill Education. 

AFCAT Cut Off 2026

The AFCAT 2 2026 cut off plays a crucial role in determining a candidate’s progression to the next stage of the selection process. It fluctuates each year based on exam difficulty, number of applicants, and available vacancies. 

AFCAT Hall Ticket

To download your AFCAT admit card, visit the official website of the Indian Air Force and navigate to the AFCAT section. Log in using your credentials and look for the admit card download option. Follow the instructions provided, such as entering your registration number and password, to access and print your admit card. Ensure that you carry a printed copy of your admit card to the exam center along with a valid photo ID for verification.

Hopefully, you found this article on the AFCAT 2 2026 Notification informative and useful. We have provided the candidates with all the details they require regarding the recruitment. You can also reach out to us in case of any doubts or queries. Candidates can also start preparing for all types of government exams and get quicker access to any required information through our Testbook App.