IAF AFCAT 2 Exam 2026: The Indian Air Force has announced the Common Admission Test (AFCAT 2) for 2026. The official notification has been released, indicating that online applications will open on May 20. Interested candidates can apply through the official website, afcat.cdac.in, with the application deadline set for June 19.

This recruitment initiative aims to select 142 officers for both the Flying and Ground Duty branches of the Indian Air Force. This is a significant opportunity for those looking to pursue a career in the Air Force.

Ground Duty Branch: Candidates must possess a degree in Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) with at least 60% aggregate marks.

Flying Branch: Candidates should have completed Class 12 with Mathematics and Physics, achieving a minimum of 50% marks, or hold a three-year graduation degree with 60% marks, or possess a B.E. or B.Tech. degree with 60% marks.

The age of candidates will be determined as of July 1, 2027. For the Ground Duty and Non-Technical branches, candidates must be between 20 and 26 years old. For the Flying Branch, the age limit is set between 20 and 24 years. Candidates with a valid Commercial Pilot License (CPL) issued by the DGCA may have their maximum age limit extended to 26 years.

Candidates applying through the NCC Special Entry or GATE examination routes are exempt from the application fee. For all other applicants, the fee is ₹550.

The selection will involve the following stages:

1. Written Examination

2. SSB Interview

3. Document Verification

4. Medical Examination

The exam will feature negative marking, with 1 mark deducted for each incorrect answer. Subjects covered include:

- General Awareness

- Verbal Ability in English

- Numerical Ability

- Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test

The total marks for the exam will be 300, with a duration of 2 hours.

Training Post-Selection: Training is scheduled to begin in the first week of July 2027 at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad. The training duration will be 62 weeks for the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical) Branch, while the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch will have a training period of 50 weeks. Candidates must have a PAN Card and a bank account with the State Bank of India or any nationalized bank upon joining.