What Is AFCAT II 2026?
AFCAT II 2026 is the second cycle of the Air Force Common Admission Test scheduled for the year 2026. Based on previous trends, the notification is expected around June–August 2026, with the online exam likely to be held between August and September 2026. Both male and female Indian citizens can apply through the official portal at careerindianairforce.cdac.in or afcat.cdac.in. The application fee is Rs 550 plus 18% GST, payable online via net banking, debit/credit cards, or UPI. NCC Special Entry candidates are exempt from the fee.
Eligibility Criteria
Before you begin preparation, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements set by the Indian Air Force.
Nationality: You must be a citizen of India as defined under the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955. Persons of Indian origin who have migrated from select countries (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Kenya, Uganda, etc.) and intend to permanently settle in India may also be eligible.
Age Limit (calculated as on 1 January 2027):
Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years (relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA India)
Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years
Educational Qualification:
For the Flying Branch: Graduation in any stream with a minimum of 60% marks and Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level are compulsory. BE / BTech pass candidates with 60% marks can also apply.
Technical Ground Duty: Engineering graduate with a minimum of 60% marks in Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Computer Science, etc., in the relevant discipline.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Completed Graduation in any stream with a minimum of 60% marks. PGs in certain streams like MBA, MCA, MA, and MSc; those who have completed MCA and MA can apply to the Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, and Meteorology sectors.
Marital Status: The applicants for some posts need to be unmarried. Marital status requirements, as always, should be checked in the official notification when released.
AFCAT II 2026 Exam Pattern
Understanding the exam structure is half the battle won. The AFCAT is a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of objective-type multiple-choice questions.
AFCAT Paper: 100 questions carrying 300 marks, with a time limit of 2 hours. Each correct answer earns 3 marks, while each incorrect answer deducts 1 mark.
Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT): Mandatory only for Technical Branch aspirants. It consists of 50 questions worth 150 marks, with a duration of 45 minutes.
The four major sections in the AFCAT paper are General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude. Aspirants targeting the technical branch must also revise core engineering subjects relevant to their discipline.
Selection Procedure
Qualification in the AFCAT written exam is just the initial milestone in a long race. Following is the entire selection procedure:
Round 1 – AFCAT Written Exam: Those who clear the cutoff are eligible to appear for the next round (usually between 140 and 160 out of 300 but different for each category and Air Force Branch).
Round 2 – AFSB Interview: You will be interviewed at one of the Air Force Selection Board offices in Dehradun, Mysuru, Varanasi, or Gandhinagar, for five days. If you are on the list. The AFSB procedure is comprised of Screening which includes Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PP&DT) on Day 1; Psychological Tests on Day 2; Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO) on Day 3 and 4, Personal Interview and a final Conference.
Round 3 – CPSS (Flying Branch Only): Candidates recommended for the Flying Branch must clear the Computerised Pilot Selection System. This is a one-time test; candidates who fail CPSS cannot reattempt it in future cycles.
Round 4 – Medical Examination: Recommended candidates undergo a thorough medical check-up at the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) in New Delhi or the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) in Bengaluru.
Round 5 – Merit List and Training: A final all-India merit list is prepared based on AFCAT scores, AFSB performance, and medical fitness. Selected candidates proceed to the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad, for approximately 74 weeks of training.
How to Prepare Effectively
Start With the Syllabus: Align all your topics according to the four sections and make a practical timetable for 3 to 4 months that allows you to study each field.
Create a Pillar of General Awareness: This is the pivotal section that can get you either a big score or a big joke. Read a good newspaper every day and monthly current affairs magazines, and concentrate on defence news, govt schemes, and international affairs.
Master English and Reasoning with Practice: For Verbal Ability, concentrate on grammar rules and vocabulary and read every day. Practice as different question types as possible in Reasoning until you get to the recognition
Select suitable study material: Firstly, make your study process as efficient as possible by getting good-quality study material; essentials to study the syllabus completely with practice sets & solved examples are to have the best AFCAT Preparation Books. In such a way, practicing from AFCAT Previous Year Solved Papers, you will get know-how about how difficult the questions are, how well you are managing time, and which are frequently asked topics.
Give Mock Tests Frequently: Taking timed mock tests in an environment similar to the actual exam setting will help you pace yourself, improve your accuracy, and boost your confidence on the day of the examination. Evaluate all your tests, do well in weak areas, and see your progress.
Be ready for AFSB From Day 1: Do not wait till you clear the written exam. Begin reading about Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs), practise group discussions, work on your self-awareness, and keep up-to-date on defence and current affairs for the personal interview round.
Important Tips for Aspirants
There is no limit on the number of AFCAT attempts as long as you meet the age criteria each time.
Both Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) are offered depending on the branch.
Women are eligible for all three branches: Flying, Technical, and Non-Technical.
Keep all required documents ready well before the application window opens: Aadhaar card, passport-size photograph, scanned signature, thumb impression, and educational certificates.
Regularly visit the official website for updates on notifications, admit cards, and results.
Final Thoughts
AFCAT II 2026 is not just a test; it is an opportunity to get a job that is about honour, discipline, and serving the nation. Be consistent; do not take this exam lightly start preparing early. This is the most prestigious job in India, as you will get the honour to serve the nation. Best of luck!
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