🚀 AFCAT-I 2026 Notification: Complete Guide to Apply Successfully
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The Indian Air Force has officially released the AFCAT-I 2026 Notification for 340 vacancies across Flying and Ground Duty branches. Applications are open from November 17 to December 14, 2025. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to apply successfully.
Official Links & Verified Resources for AFCAT-I 2026 Notification
Always use official portals to access the AFCAT-I 2026 Notification and submit applications. Here are the verified government links:
- AFCAT Official Portal: afcat.edcil.co.in — Primary application and notification hub
- Indian Air Force Official: indianairforce.nic.in — Career information and updates
- AFCAT-I 01/2026 Notification PDF: Download Official PDF — Complete detailed notification
Beware of fake websites! Always verify the URL shows \”.nic.in\” or \”.gov.in\” for official government portals. Never share personal details or payment information on unverified sites.
Important Dates for AFCAT-I 2026 Notification
Mark these critical dates for the AFCAT-I 2026 Notification in your calendar. Missing deadlines means missing this opportunity!
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| 📢 AFCAT-I 2026 Notification Released | November 9, 2025 |
| 🟢 Application Start Date | November 17, 2025 (11:00 AM) |
| 🔴 Application Last Date | December 14, 2025 (11:30 PM) |
| 🎫 Admit Card Release (Expected) | January 22, 2026 |
| ✍️ AFCAT Exam Date | January 31, 2026 (Friday) |
| 🎓 Course Commencement | January 2027 |
Don\’t wait until December 14! Technical issues are common on the last day. Apply by December 10, 2025 to avoid last-minute stress. Keep all documents ready before starting the application.
Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT-I 2026 Notification
Before applying for the AFCAT-I 2026 Notification, ensure you meet these eligibility requirements:
👤 Nationality Requirements
- Must be a citizen of India
- Both men and women can apply
- Check notification PDF for dual citizenship and OCI cardholder details
📅 Age Limit (as on January 1, 2027)
- Flying Branch: 20-24 years (relaxation for engineering degree holders)
- Ground Duty (Technical): 20-26 years
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): 20-26 years
- NCC Special Entry: Specific age relaxations available
- Upper age limit relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST candidates
🎓 Educational Qualification
- Flying Branch: Graduation with minimum 60% marks in any discipline (50% for SC/ST/OBC)
- Technical Branch: B.E/B.Tech in specified engineering streams with minimum 60% (50% for reserved categories)
- Non-Technical Branch: Graduation with minimum 60% marks (50% for reserved categories)
- Degree must be from a UGC/AICTE recognized university
💪 Physical & Medical Standards
- Height: Minimum 152.5 cm for men, 152 cm for women
- Vision: 6/6 vision (correctable) for Flying Branch
- Must pass Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) medical examination
- Check detailed medical standards in the official AFCAT-I 2026 Notification PDF
🎯 Quick Eligibility Checker
Can I Apply?
✓ Indian citizen aged 20-26
✓ Graduated with 60% marks
✓ Physically fit as per IAF standards
✓ No criminal record
If all ✓ then you\’re eligible for AFCAT-I 2026 Notification!
Branches & Roles: AFCAT-I 2026 Notification
The AFCAT-I 2026 Notification invites applications for 340 vacancies across three main branches:
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Role: Commissioned officers who fly fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters
Requirements: Exceptional physical fitness, 6/6 vision, graduation with 60% marks
Training: Flying training at Air Force Academy, Dundigal
Career: Most prestigious branch with rapid career progression
![\"Aircraft](\"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1581092160562-40aa08e78837?w=800&h=400&fit=crop\")
Roles: Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics), Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical)
Requirements: B.E/B.Tech in specified streams with 60% marks
Additional Test: Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) mandatory
Career: Maintain and repair aircraft systems, critical technical roles
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Roles Include:
- Administration: Personnel management, office operations
- Logistics: Supply chain, inventory management
- Accounts: Financial management, audit functions
- Education: Training and instructional roles
- Meteorology: Weather forecasting for air operations
Requirements: Graduation in any discipline with 60% marks
💼 Salary & Benefits: Starting basic pay of ₹56,100 (Level 10) as Flying Officer, with excellent allowances, accommodation, medical facilities, and pension benefits. Check the official AFCAT-I 2026 Notification for complete salary structure.
How to Apply for AFCAT-I 2026 Notification (Step-by-Step)
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Follow this detailed guide to complete your AFCAT-I 2026 Notification application successfully:
📝 Step 1: Download & Read Official Notification
- Download the AFCAT-I 2026 Notification PDF
- Read eligibility criteria carefully (age, education, medical standards)
- Note down all important dates and requirements
- Check if you need to appear for EKT (for technical posts)
🌐 Step 2: Visit Official Portal & Register
- Go to afcat.edcil.co.in
- Click on \”AFCAT 01/2026 – Apply Online\” link
- Click \”Register\” and create new account with valid email and mobile
- Verify email/mobile through OTP
- Note down your Registration Number and Password safely
✏️ Step 3: Fill Application Form
- Login with Registration Number and Password
- Fill personal details (name, DOB, father\’s name as per 10th certificate)
- Enter educational qualifications with exact percentage
- Select preferred branch (Flying/Ground Duty Technical/Non-Technical)
- Provide address and contact details
- Double-check all entries — corrections are rarely allowed
📸 Step 4: Upload Documents
Required uploads (exact specifications in notification):
- Photograph: Recent passport-size, white background, JPEG format (10-50 KB)
- Signature: Black ink on white paper, JPEG format (4-30 KB)
- Educational documents: 10th, 12th, Graduation certificates (PDF format)
- Category certificate: If applicable (SC/ST/OBC)
- NCC certificate: If applying through NCC Special Entry
⚠️ File size and format are strictly enforced. Prepare files beforehand!
💳 Step 5: Pay Application Fee
Fee Structure:
- General/OBC/EWS candidates: ₹250/-
- SC/ST candidates: Nil (No fee)
- Women candidates: ₹250/-
Payment modes: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI
Important: Save payment receipt PDF for future reference
✅ Step 6: Submit & Print Confirmation
- Review all details one final time before submission
- Click \”Submit\” to finalize your application
- Download and print the Application Confirmation Page
- Take at least 3 printouts for future use (AFSB interview, medical exam)
- Check email for confirmation message
- Use Desktop/Laptop: Mobile submissions often face upload timeouts
- Best Browser: Google Chrome or Firefox (clear cache before starting)
- Internet Connection: Use stable broadband (avoid mobile hotspot)
- Avoid Last Day: Server overload on Dec 14. Apply by Dec 10!
- Keep Ready: All certificates, scanned documents, payment card
- Name Spelling: Must match 10th certificate exactly
- Save Frequently: Use \”Save Draft\” option every few minutes
Exam Pattern & Syllabus: AFCAT-I 2026 Notification
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The AFCAT-I 2026 Notification specifies a Computer-Based Test (CBT) on January 31, 2026:
📝 AFCAT Paper Structure
| Section | Questions | Marks | Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 20 | 60 | Current Affairs, History, Geography, Science, Sports |
| Verbal Ability | 30 | 90 | Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Error Detection |
| Numerical Ability | 15 | 45 | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | 35 | 105 | Logical Reasoning, Spatial Ability, Military Knowledge |
| Total | 100 | 300 | — |
⚙️ EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) — For Technical Posts Only
- Questions: 50 (objective type)
- Marks: 150 (3 marks each)
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Subjects: Based on your engineering stream (Mechanical/Electronics/Computer Science)
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT) — Online exam at designated centers
- Duration: AFCAT – 2 hours | EKT – 45 minutes
- Language: English only
- Marking Scheme: +3 for correct answer | -1 for wrong answer
- No Negative Marking: For unattempted questions
- Calculator: Not allowed (mental calculation required)
📚 Detailed Syllabus Overview
1. General Awareness
Current Affairs (national/international), Indian History, Geography, Environment, Basic Science, Sports, Politics, Defence, Awards & Honors
2. Verbal Ability in English
Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion, Synonyms/Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, One Word Substitution, Sentence Rearrangement
3. Numerical Ability
Decimals, Fractions, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Average, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Mensuration
4. Reasoning & Military Aptitude
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Ability, Rotated Blocks, Hidden Figures, Military History, Defence Organisations, Ranks & Insignia
📄 Download complete syllabus from the official AFCAT-I 2026 Notification PDF
Preparation Tips for AFCAT-I 2026 Notification
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Strategic preparation is key to cracking the AFCAT-I 2026 Notification exam. Follow these expert tips:
🎯 30-Day Success Strategy
Week 1-2: Complete syllabus overview + Previous year papers analysis
Week 3: Section-wise deep dive + Mock tests (3-4 tests)
Week 4: Full-length mock tests + Revision + Current affairs update
📖 Section-Wise Preparation Strategy
📰 General Awareness
- Read newspapers daily (The Hindu/Indian Express)
- Follow Gist of The Week PDF (free on IAF website)
- Focus on last 6 months current affairs
- Revise Static GK: Indian Polity, Geography, History
- Military-related current affairs are important!
✍️ Verbal Ability
- Learn 20 new words daily with usage examples
- Practice comprehension passages (15-20 minutes daily)
- Master grammar rules: Tenses, Articles, Prepositions
- Solve previous AFCAT English sections
- Read editorials to improve comprehension speed
🔢 Numerical Ability
- Practice mental math (no calculator allowed!)
- Master shortcuts for Time & Work, Percentage, Ratio
- Solve 20 questions daily from each topic
- Focus on speed and accuracy both
- Use previous year questions for practice
🧠 Reasoning & Military Aptitude
- Practice spatial ability questions with diagrams
- Learn Indian Air Force history and achievements
- Study ranks, insignia, defence organizations
- Solve coding-decoding and series questions daily
- This section has highest weightage — focus here!
- Mock Tests: Take at least 10 full-length mocks before exam
- Time Management: 72 seconds per question average (practice speed)
- Negative Marking: Avoid random guessing — attempt only confident questions
- Revision: Make short notes for quick revision in last week
- Previous Papers: Solve last 5 years AFCAT papers minimum
- Stay Updated: Check official AFCAT-I 2026 Notification for any updates
📱 Recommended Free Resources
- Official IAF Website: Free study material and mock tests
- AFCAT Previous Papers: Available on afcat.edcil.co.in
- YouTube Channels: Defence Taiyari, Study IQ Defence
- Mobile Apps: Gradeup, Testbook (free mock tests)
- Telegram Groups: AFCAT Preparation 2026 (join for daily updates)
FAQs About AFCAT-I 2026 Notification
Get quick answers to common questions about the AFCAT-I 2026 Notification:
✈️ Ready to Join the Indian Air Force?
Don\’t miss this golden opportunity! The AFCAT-I 2026 Notification is your gateway to a prestigious career defending our skies.
🚀 Apply Now for AFCAT-I 2026 →Last date: December 14, 2025 | Apply early to avoid last-minute rush!