The Indian Air Force (IAF) has started the online registration process for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 2026 today, November 17, 2025. Candidates seeking a career as officers in the IAF can now submit their applications through the official portal, afcat.edcil.co.in.
The examination cycle aims to fill a total of 328 vacancies across the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) branches. The AFCAT 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted on January 31, 2026.
Prospective applicants are advised to note that the application window will remain open only until December 14, 2025. It is crucial to complete the process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical glitches.
AFCAT 2026: Important Eligibility Criteria (Age Limit)
A key aspect of the application is meeting the age criteria. The age limits for different branches are as follows:
Flying Branch (via AFCAT & NCC Special Entry): Candidates must be between 20 and 24 years of age as of January 1, 2027. This means they must have been born between January 2, 2003, and January 1, 2007 (both dates inclusive).
Candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot License (CPL) issued by DGCA (India) can avail an upper age relaxation up to 26 years. They must have been born between January 2, 2001, and January 1, 2007.
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch: Candidates must be between 20 and 26 years of age as of January 1, 2027. This implies a date of birth between January 2, 2001, and January 1, 2007.
Steps to apply for AFCAT 2026
Candidates can follow this straightforward guide to apply online for AFCAT 2026:
Step 1. Go to the official AFCAT portal at afcat.edcil.co.in.
Step 2. Find Registration Link: On the homepage, click on the 'AFCAT 2026 Registration' link.
Step 3. A new registration page will open. Complete the initial one-time registration by providing the required details.
Step 4. After successful registration, log in to your account using the generated credentials.
Step 5. Carefully fill out the detailed AFCAT application form and proceed to pay the application fee.
Step 6. Review all details, click on the 'Submit' button, and download the confirmation page.
Step 7. Keep a printed hard copy of the submitted application form for all future reference and correspondence.
Application Fee and Payment Mode
The application fee for all candidates is Rs 550 + applicable GST. The IAF will not accept any form of cash, cheques, or demand drafts. The payment must be made exclusively online through the integrated payment gateway using credit cards, debit cards, or net banking services.
For comprehensive details regarding educational qualifications, physical standards, and the exact selection procedure, candidates are strongly recommended to visit the official IAF AFCAT website regularly for updates.