AFCAT 1 2026 Notification: Eligibility, Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Dreaming of a career where you can serve the nation while flying high in the sky? The Indian Air Force gives you that chance through AFCAT.

The IAF is soon expected to release the AFCAT 1 2026 Notification, opening doors for young aspirants to join as officers in the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches.

What is AFCAT?

The Indian Air Force conducts the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) twice every year, once in February (AFCAT 1) and again in August (AFCAT 2). This exam is held to select candidates for different branches of the Air Force.

If you qualify for the AFCAT exam, you get the opportunity to build an exciting and disciplined career while serving the nation in one of the most respected forces of India.

AFCAT 1 2026 Notification Overview

Here’s a quick overview of what we can expect from the AFCAT 1 2026 notification:

Particulars	Details (Expected)
Exam Name	AFCAT 1 2026
Conducting Authority	Indian Air Force (IAF)
Mode of Application	Online
Exam Frequency	Twice a year
Exam Mode	Online (CBT)
Job Location	Across India
Official Website	https://afcat.cdac.in

AFCAT 1 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)

Though the official notification isn’t out yet, here’s an idea of the expected schedule based on previous trends:

Event	Expected Date
AFCAT 1 2026 Notification Release	09 November 2025
Application Form Start Date	10 November 2025
Last Date to Apply	09 December 2026
Admit Card Release	March 2026
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Dates	March 2026
Result Declaration	April 2026

AFCAT 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, you must check whether you meet the age limit, educational qualification, and physical standards. Let’s go step-by-step.

1. Nationality

You must be a citizen of India as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.

2. Age Limit

Branch	Age Limit (as on 1 Jan 2027)
Flying Branch	20 to 24 years (Born between 2 Jan 2003 and 1 Jan 2007)
Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical)	20 to 26 years (Born between 2 Jan 2001 and 1 Jan 2007)

3. Educational Qualification

Here’s what you need academically:

Flying Branch

10+2 with 60% marks each in Maths and Physics
Graduation (3-year degree) with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent

BE/B.Tech degree with a minimum of 60% marks

Ground Duty (Technical) Branch

10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, and
Four-year degree in Engineering/Technology from a recognised university

Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch

For Administration & Logistics: Graduation with a minimum of 60% marks
For Accounts: B.Com with minimum 60% marks
For Education: Post-Graduation with 50% marks in aggregate

4. Marital Status

Candidates below 25 years must be unmarried.
Marriage is permitted only for candidates above 25 years, but training accommodation is on a single occupancy basis.

5. Physical & Medical Standards

Fitness is non-negotiable for Air Force aspirants.

Some key standards include:

Minimum height: 157.5 cm for men and 152 cm for women (Flying Branch).
Good eyesight and overall medical fitness as per IAF norms.
Candidates must pass the Air Force medical examination at AFCME or IAM Bengaluru.

AFCAT 1 2026 Selection Process

The selection process has three major stages:

AFCAT Online Exam (Computer-Based Test)
AFSB Interview (Air Force Selection Board)
Medical Examination

Let’s understand each briefly:

Stage 1: Written Exam

This is the first stage where applicants appear for the AFCAT Online Test and EKT, if applying for the Technical Branch.

Stage 2: AFSB Interview

Candidates who clear the written test are called for a 5-day interview process at one of the AFSB centres (Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, or Varanasi). It includes:

Psychological Tests
Group Tasks
Personal Interview

Stage 3: Medical Test

The medical fitness of the finally short-listed candidates is verified through a comprehensive medical check-up.

AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Pattern

Let’s simplify the exam structure so you know exactly what to expect.

AFCAT Exam Pattern

Section	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
General Awareness	25	75	2 Hours
Verbal Ability (English)	25	75
Numerical Ability	18	54
Reasoning & Military Aptitude	32	96
Total	100	300	120 Minutes

Marking Scheme: +3 for each correct answer, -1 for each wrong answer.
Mode: Online (Objective Type).

EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test)

(Only for candidates applying for the Technical Branch)

Section	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
Engineering Subjects	50	150	45 Minutes

AFCAT 1 2026 Syllabus

Here’s the complete syllabus you should focus on while preparing:

1. General Awareness

Topics include:

History, Geography, Polity
Environment, Economics, General Science
Defence, Art & Culture
Current Affairs (National & International)

2. Verbal Ability (English)

Focus on:

Comprehension
Error Detection
Synonyms & Antonyms
Sentence Completion
Idioms & Phrases
Cloze Test

3. Numerical Ability

Covers basic maths topics like:

Ratio & Proportion
Time, Distance & Speed
Percentage, Profit & Loss
Simple & Compound Interest
Average, Simplification
Geometry and Mensuration

4. Reasoning & Military Aptitude

Includes:

Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning
Pattern recognition
Spatial ability
Logical reasoning
Data interpretation

5. EKT Syllabus (for Technical Branch)

Questions are based on your engineering discipline:

Mechanical: Thermodynamics, Machines, Production, etc.
Computer Science: Data Structures, Networks, Algorithms, etc.

Electrical/Electronics: Circuits, Control Systems, Microprocessors, etc.

How to Apply for AFCAT 1 2026

The following steps can be followed after making the announcement:

Check the official website – https://afcat.cdac.in
Click on the link provided for “AFCAT 1 Application Form 2026.”
Register with a valid Email ID and mobile number.
Fill in the details of personal, educational and communication address.
Upload the photo, signature, and thumb impression according to the specifications.
Pay the examination fee online, which is approximately ₹ 550.
Then, submit the confirmation page and take a printout of it.

Preparation Tips for AFCAT 1 2026

Start early: The syllabus may look simple, but competition is tough.
Practice mock tests: Try to do at least 15–20 mock papers before the examination.
Focus on weak areas: Identify and strengthen your weak sections.
Keep yourself updated: Read daily current affairs, especially those concerning defence.
Time management: Do not spend too much time on one question during the examination.

Why Choose Centurion Defence Academy for AFCAT Preparation?

When it comes to cracking AFCAT and SSB, Centurion Defence Academy (CDA) stands out as a trusted name.

Here’s why:

Expert guidance from ex-IAF officers and psychologists.
Well-structured AFCAT and SSB courses (21-day and 14-day programs).
Personalised mentorship and doubt sessions.
Study materials, mock tests, and complete SSB interview training.
Both offline (Lucknow & Dehradun) and online courses via the Centurion Digital App.

With Centurion’s holistic approach, hundreds of aspirants have already turned their dreams into reality, and you could be next.

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