AFCAT II 2026 Notification: Exam Date, Eligibility & How to Apply Online

If you have a dream to fly fighter jet, handle the operations of Air Force or serve the country in the air, then AFCAT is the exam to open the door for you. Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT). It is carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) twice a year to recruit officers for the Flying Branch and Ground Duty branches. 

One of the easiest defence exams in India, AFCAT is open to both men and women graduates. If you are interested in becoming a Pilot, an Engineer, an Education Officer or an Administrative Officer in the IAF, then AFCAT is the gateway. 

In this blog, we will cover everything about the afcat exam date 2026, the official notification, afcat eligibility criteria, how to fill the afcat application form, the exam pattern, and the best afcat books and afcat preparation book choices to help you crack the exam.

AFCAT II 2026 Notification — What to Expect and Where to Find It

The Indian Air Force has released the AFCAT II 2026 notification, which provides details about the upcoming exam. It includes exam schedule, number of vacancies in each branch, eligibility criteria, application procedure, exam syllabus etc. 

The IAF conducts AFCAT II exam annually in June. The notification is uploaded on the official website of the careerindianairforce at careerindianairforce.cdac.in. Only official source for AFCAT notifications is here. When the notification is released, save a copy of it and download it immediately, as it will include all rules that you must follow while applying. 

The notification will also include the number of vacancies on each branch for that cycle. For the past few years, AFCAT has released approximately 250-300 vacancies in Flying, Ground Duty Technical and Ground Duty Non-Technical branches. The actual number varies every cycle and it is mentioned in the official notification.

Read More - How to Prepare for AFCAT in 60 Days: A Day-by-Day Study Plan

AFCAT Exam Date 2026 — Full Schedule at a Glance

It is extremely crucial to plan your preparation for afcat exam date 2026. Based on the previous year's trend, here is the expected timeline for AFCAT II 2026. Please check the exact dates from the official notification on IAF website.

Following this anticipated timeline, students will have approximately 2-3 months from the notification to afcat exam date 2026. This is why it is crucial to prepare well ahead of the notification release to allow the last few weeks to be devoted to revision and mock tests, rather than studying new topics.

AFCAT Eligibility — Who Can Apply?

Each applicant should ensure that he or she is eligible for the afcat fully before filling application form. If you don't meet the criteria, don't apply, as it will waste your time and may be rejected. The full afcat eligibility requirements are described in the following table:

The most significant afcat eligibility condition to be noted is that of the difference in age limits between the Flying Branch and the Ground Duty Branch. Flying Branch candidates are younger (20-24 years). Ground Duty candidates receive slightly more options of 20-26 years. The education qualification also varies from one branch to another so please read the official notification carefully to check the eligibility of your branch.

AFCAT Application Form — Step-by-Step Guide

The filling of afcat application form is completed 100% online from the official IAF careers website at careerindianairforce.cdac.in. It's easy but needs to be done with attention to all the details you put in. 

The first step is to visit the official website and click on the AFCAT II 2026 application link. The second step is to register by filling your name, date of birth, email address and mobile number. An ID and password will be provided for you to log into. The third step is to log in and complete the full application with all the relevant details such as personal information, qualification details, preferred branch, and exam city selection. 

The fourth step is to upload your recent passport size photograph and signature in the format and size of the notification. The fifth step is the payment of the fee. The fee for AFCAT application is Rs. 250 for all candidates. Payment is made online using net banking, debit card or UPI. The next step is to fill out the afcat application form and print out the confirmation page. Print this page and save it for safe keeping, it is your proof of successful application. 

One of the most important tips is to not wait till the last day to complete the form. The IAF website gets many hits around the deadline, and can cause technical issues. Submit applications within first week of form opening to prevent any last minute problems.

AFCAT Exam Pattern — Papers, Marks and Sections

The AFCAT written test is a 2 hour online test. It comprises of 100 questions, with a total of 300 marks. 3 marks are awarded for every correct answer and 1 mark are deducted for every incorrect answer. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.

The exam consists of four parts. The first one is Verbal Ability in English which focuses on grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension and sentence completion. The second one is Numerical Ability which includes basic arithmetic, percentage, ratio and simple Maths till Class 10th. The third is Reasoning and Military Aptitude, a test of logical thinking, spatial ability, and pattern recognition. The fourth is General Awareness comprising of History, Geography, Science, Sports and Current Affairs. 

In addition, candidates applying for the Flying Branch are required to take another online test (EKT) that will assess their technical knowledge in Mechanical, Computer Science or Electronics based on their stream of graduation. The EKT consists of 50 questions totaling 150 marks, and has the same marking scheme as the main exam.

Conclusion

AFCAT II 2026 is an excellent opportunity for all the graduates who aspire to become a part of the Indian Air Force. You have now a clear road map to follow as you know the date of the afcat exam 2026, afcat eligibility criteria, how to fill afcat application form and the best afcat books and afcat preparation book options. 

So prepare now, read the official notification as soon as it's out, fill the application carefully and early and practise daily with the right afcat preparation book and previous year papers. It is possible to clear the AFCAT written exam and get into the Indian Air Force with regular effort in 3-4 months.