Result Declared — 11 March 2026
AFCAT 01/2026
Batch Result OUT
Indian Air Force has officially released the AFCAT 01/2026 written exam result. Qualified candidates for the January 2027 Course can now download their scorecards and register for the AFSB Interview. We wish all qualified candidates the very best — you've earned this! 💙
✈️ Indian Air Force
📋 340 Vacancies
🎓 Group A Gazetted Officers
📅 Exam: 31 Jan 2026
🏫 Course: January 2027
OUT
Result Status
340
Total Vacancies
300
Total Marks
~150
Expected Cut Off
11 Mar
Result Date
IAF
Conducting Body
01
Important Dates
Official Notification Released10 November 2025
Online Registration Window17 Nov – 19 Dec 2025
Exam City Intimation14 January 2026
Admit Card Released22 January 2026
AFCAT 01/2026 Written Exam Conducted31 January 2026
Answer Key Released & Objection Window01 – 03 February 2026
AFCAT 01/2026 Written Result Declared11 March 2026 ✅
AFSB Interview (Tentative)April – July 2026 (Approx.)
Course CommencementJanuary 2027
02
Vacancy Details — 340 Posts ✅ Verified
| Entry Type | Branch / Post / Specialisation | Commission | Gender | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch — AFCAT Entry38 Posts | ||||
| AFCAT Entry | ✈️ Flying Branch (Fighter / Transport / Helicopter Pilot) | SSC | Men & Women | 38 |
| Flying Branch — NCC Special Entry~10% of Flying SSC Seats | ||||
| NCC Special Entry | ✈️ Flying Branch — NCC Air Wing 'C' Certificate Holders ⚡ AFCAT written exam NOT required for NCC Special Entry |
SSC | Men & Women | ~4 |
| Ground Duty — Technical Branch188 Posts | ||||
| AFCAT Entry | ⚙️ Aeronautical Engineer — Electronics [AE(L)] B.E./B.Tech in Electronics / Electrical with min. 60% — EKT required |
PC & SSC | Men & Women | 188 combined |
| AFCAT Entry | ⚙️ Aeronautical Engineer — Mechanical [AE(M)] B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical / Production with min. 60% — EKT required |
PC & SSC | Men & Women | |
| Ground Duty — Non-Technical Branch114 Posts | ||||
| AFCAT Entry | 🏛️ Administration (Admin) | PC & SSC | Men & Women | 114 combined |
| AFCAT Entry | 📦 Logistics (Lgs) | PC & SSC | Men & Women | |
| AFCAT Entry | 💰 Accounts (Accts) | PC & SSC | Men & Women | |
| AFCAT Entry | 📚 Education (Edn) | PC & SSC | Men & Women | |
| AFCAT Entry | 🌤️ Meteorology (Met) | PC & SSC | Men & Women | |
| AFCAT Entry | 🎯 Weapon Systems (WS) NEW BRANCH | SSC | Men & Women | |
| ✅ Total — AFCAT 01/2026 (Source: Official IAF Notification PDF) | 340 | |||
📌 Note: Vacancies are tentative and subject to change based on IAF manning requirements effective January 2027. One seat in Ground Duty (Non-Technical) is reserved for a law-qualified candidate. Branch allotment depends on vacancies, AFSB merit, medical fitness, and candidate preference. Please do verify final numbers from the official notification PDF if needed — we love keeping our readers well-informed! 💙
03
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Applicants must be Citizens of India as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955. Candidates must be unmarried at the time of course commencement. Marriage during training leads to discharge and full cost recovery.
Age Limit (as on 01 January 2027)
Flying Branch & NCC Special Entry: 20–24 years — born between 02 Jan 2003 and 01 Jan 2007
(Relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence)
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20–26 years — born between 02 Jan 2001 and 01 Jan 2007
(Relaxable up to 26 years for candidates holding valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence)
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20–26 years — born between 02 Jan 2001 and 01 Jan 2007
Educational Qualification
Flying Branch → 10+2 with Physics & Maths (min. 50% each) + Graduation in any discipline (min. 60%); OR B.E./B.Tech (min. 60%)
Ground Duty Technical — AE(L) & AE(M) → 10+2 with Physics & Maths (min. 60% each) + B.E./B.Tech in relevant Engineering discipline (min. 60%)
Ground Duty Non-Technical → Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university (min. 60% marks)
Meteorology → Post-graduation in Science/Maths with Physics & Maths at graduation level (min. 60%)
Ground Duty Technical — AE(L) & AE(M) → 10+2 with Physics & Maths (min. 60% each) + B.E./B.Tech in relevant Engineering discipline (min. 60%)
Ground Duty Non-Technical → Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university (min. 60% marks)
Meteorology → Post-graduation in Science/Maths with Physics & Maths at graduation level (min. 60%)
Physical & Medical Standards
Candidates must meet IAF-prescribed standards. Medical exam is at IAM Bengaluru or AFCME New Delhi. Flying branch has stricter visual (6/6 corrected vision) and physical standards. Minimum height: 162.5 cm for all branches. Candidates are advised to aim for: 1.6 km run in 10 min, 10 push-ups, 3 chin-ups before AFSB.
⛔ Important Restrictions — Please Read Carefully
- Married candidates are not eligible. Marriage during training leads to discharge.
- Candidates who have failed CPSS/PABT in a previous attempt are not eligible for the Flying Branch (CPSS is a once-in-a-lifetime test).
- NCC Special Entry candidates are exempt from the AFCAT written exam but must have a valid NCC Air Wing 'C' Certificate.
- The 60% graduation minimum applies uniformly — no category-based relaxation for SC/ST/OBC.
- Non-permissible tattoos on any body part (including face, hands, neck) will lead to rejection during medical examination.
04
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability in English | 20 | 60 | Moderate |
| Numerical Ability | 15 | 45 | Easy–Moderate |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | 35 | 105 | Moderate |
| General Awareness | 30 | 90 | Easy–Moderate |
| Total (AFCAT) | 100 | 300 | 2 Hours |
| EKT — Engineering Knowledge Test (Technical Branch Candidates Only) | |||
| Mechanical / Electronics / Computer Science | 50 | 150 | Moderate–Difficult |
| EKT Duration | 45 Minutes | ||
📌 Marking Scheme: +3 marks for each correct answer. −1 mark for each wrong answer. No sectional cut-off — only an overall qualifying score. Scores are normalised across different exam shifts before the final result is declared.
05
Cut Off Marks — Previous Years Trend
AFCAT 1 — 2022
156
out of 300
AFCAT 2 — 2022
157
out of 300
AFCAT 1 — 2023
163
out of 300
AFCAT 2 — 2023
165
out of 300
AFCAT 1 — 2024
121
out of 300
AFCAT 2 — 2024
148
out of 300
AFCAT 1 — 2025
121
out of 300
AFCAT 01/2026 — Expected
~150
out of 300 (Official: check scorecard)
💡 The official cut-off is visible on your scorecard after login at afcat.cdac.in. A score of 170+ is highly competitive for final merit. No sectional cut-off — one overall qualifying mark applies uniformly to all candidates.
06
What's on Your AFCAT Scorecard?
Candidate Name & Registration No.Your full name and AFCAT registration number as submitted
Section-wise MarksIndividual scores — Verbal, Numerical, Reasoning, GK
Total Marks ScoredAggregate out of 300 after +3/−1 normalised marking
Official Cut-off MarksMinimum qualifying score for this cycle, printed on card
Qualifying StatusClearly states Qualified or Not Qualified for AFSB
Category & Branch DetailsYour applied branch and category information
⚠️ Keep Your Scorecard Safe — We Care About Your Future! 💙
- Download and print your scorecard — it is mandatory for AFSB document verification.
- Accessible only via individual login — no hard copies are dispatched by IAF.
- Report any discrepancy in name, DOB, or marks to IAF immediately through official channels.
07
Selection Process After Result — AFSB & Beyond
1
Written Exam (AFCAT) ✅ — Completed
The CBT was conducted on 31 January 2026. Results are now live. Candidates at or above the official cut-off proceed to AFSB. Well done to everyone who appeared — your hard work is showing! 💙
2
AFSB Registration & Call Letter
Qualified candidates must log back into afcat.cdac.in, register for AFSB, and choose a preferred centre: Dehradun, Mysuru, Varanasi, or Gandhinagar. Download the call letter — it is your entry pass to the AFSB.
3
AFSB Stage 1 — Screening Test (Day 1)
Begins with the OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) Test and PP&DT (Picture Perception & Discussion Test). Candidates screened out are sent back on Day 1 itself. Only those who clear proceed to Stage 2.
4
AFSB Stage 2 — Psychological, Group Tests & Personal Interview (Days 2–4)
Comprehensive 3-day assessment: Psychological Tests, Group Tests (GD, GPE, PGT, Command Task), and a Personal Interview with a senior IAF officer. Flying branch candidates additionally appear for the CPSS Test.
5
Medical Examination
AFSB-recommended candidates appear for a detailed medical at IAM Bengaluru or AFCME New Delhi. Flying branch standards are significantly stricter. Please start working on your physical fitness right away!
6
Final Merit List & Course Joining — January 2027
Final merit is based on AFCAT written score + AFSB performance. Medically fit candidates receive joining letters for their respective training academies. We wish every aspirant the very best for this incredible journey! 💙✈️
Online CBT Written Test
5-Day AFSB Process
Medical at IAM / AFCME
Final Merit = AFCAT + AFSB
Course Starts Jan 2027
08
Pay Scale & Salary After Commission
Basic Pay (All Officers)
₹56,100
7th CPC — Pay Level 10
Military Service Pay
₹15,500
Over & above basic pay
Flying Branch In-Hand
₹1 Lakh+
Approx. with all allowances
Flying Allowance (Pilots)
₹25,000+
Additional per month
Flying Branch
Flying Officer (Pilot)
₹1.2 Lakh+
Approx. gross in-hand per month
Basic ₹56,100 + MSP ₹15,500 + Flying Allowance ₹25,000+ + DA + HRA
Technical Branch
Aeronautical Engineer
₹80,000+
Approx. gross in-hand per month
Basic ₹56,100 + MSP ₹15,500 + DA + HRA + Technical Allowance
Ground Duty
Ground Duty Officer
₹75,000+
Approx. gross in-hand per month
Basic ₹56,100 + MSP ₹15,500 + DA + HRA + Transport Allowance
During Training
Academy Stipend
₹56,100
Fixed stipend during training
Accommodation, food, uniform & medical fully provided by IAF
Dearness AllowanceRevised bi-annually
House Rent AllowanceCity-category based
Transport AllowancePer posting city
Free Medical (ECHS)For family too
CSD CanteenSubsidised goods
Pension (PC Officers)Full govt. pension
💡 IAF officers additionally receive Military Service Pay (₹15,500/month), AFGIS Insurance cover of ₹1.25 crore, Kit Maintenance Allowance, and various branch-specific allowances. PC officers get a full pension after service. SSC officers receive gratuity + resettlement grant. A truly rewarding career in every sense! 💙
09
How to Check AFCAT 01/2026 Result
1
Visit the Official AFCAT Portal
Go to afcat.cdac.in — the only authorised portal. Please avoid third-party sites for downloading your official scorecard.
2
Click on Candidate Login
Locate the notification "AFCAT-01/2026 Result has been declared" on the homepage and click "Click Here" or use the Candidate Login tab directly.
3
Select AFCAT 01/2026 Cycle
From the dropdown, select "AFCAT 01/2026" to ensure you are viewing the correct result cycle — please do not skip this step.
4
Enter Your Login Credentials
Type your registered Email ID and Password. Enter the CAPTCHA code and click Sign In. If you forgot your password, use the Forgot Password option.
5
View & Download Scorecard
Your scorecard will show section-wise marks, total score, official cut-off, and qualifying status. Download the PDF and take a printout — mandatory for AFSB registration.
6
Register for AFSB If Qualified — Don't Delay!
Register for the AFSB Interview on the same portal. Choose your preferred AFSB centre (Dehradun, Mysuru, Varanasi, or Gandhinagar) and download your call letter. You've got this — we believe in you! 💙
10
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I check my AFCAT 01/2026 Result?
Visit afcat.cdac.in, click Candidate Login, select AFCAT 01/2026 from the dropdown, then enter your registered email ID and password. Your scorecard will appear. Please download and print it — you'll need it for AFSB. We hope you get great news! 💙
What is the expected cut-off for AFCAT 01/2026?
Based on previous year trends, the expected cut-off is approximately 145–155 marks out of 300. The official cut-off is printed on your scorecard after login. There is no sectional cut-off — one overall score applies. A score of 170+ is considered highly competitive.
I qualified! What is the next step after the written result?
Congratulations — that's wonderful news! 🎉 Your next step is the AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) Interview. Log back into afcat.cdac.in, register for AFSB, and choose one of four centres: Dehradun, Mysuru, Varanasi, or Gandhinagar. Download your call letter and prepare thoroughly for the 5-day process.
What does the 5-day AFSB process involve?
The AFSB is a thorough 5-day evaluation:
- Day 1 — Stage 1 Screening: OIR Test + PP&DT. Candidates who don't clear are sent back on Day 1 itself.
- Days 2–4 — Stage 2: Psychological Tests, Group Tests (GD, GPE, PGT, Command Task), and Personal Interview with a Wing Commander or above.
- Day 5 — Conference: Final result. Recommended candidates proceed to Medical Examination.
- Flying branch candidates additionally appear for the CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System) test — this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Is there negative marking in AFCAT? How are marks calculated?
Yes. AFCAT uses a +3/−1 marking scheme — earn 3 marks for each correct answer and lose 1 mark for each wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry zero marks. Total is 100 questions × 300 marks. Scores are normalised across different exam shifts. Avoid guessing on questions you are truly unsure of!
What is the actual branch-wise vacancy breakdown for AFCAT 01/2026?
The verified vacancy breakdown from the official IAF notification is: Flying Branch (AFCAT Entry) — 38 posts; Ground Duty Technical — 188 posts (AE Electronics + AE Mechanical combined); Ground Duty Non-Technical — 114 posts (Admin, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology, Weapon Systems). Total: 340 posts. These are tentative and subject to change based on IAF manning requirements.
What is the salary of an IAF Flying Officer after commission?
A newly commissioned Flying Officer gets Basic Pay ₹56,100/month (Level 10) + MSP ₹15,500/month + Flying Allowance ₹25,000+/month. After adding DA, HRA, and Transport Allowance, gross in-hand is approximately ₹1.2 Lakh+/month. Ground Duty Officers receive approximately ₹75,000–₹80,000/month. Plus free accommodation, ECHS medical, CSD canteen, and AFGIS insurance of ₹1.25 crore. A career that truly takes care of you! 💙
Can female candidates apply for the Flying Branch?
Absolutely yes! Female candidates are fully eligible for both the Flying Branch and all Ground Duty branches. They must meet the same medical and physical standards. The age limit is 20–24 years as on 01 January 2027 for Flying Branch. IAF is proud to have women officers across all branches, including as fighter pilots. 💙
What is the difference between Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC)?
SSC is initially for 10 years (extendable to 14 years for Flying, 10+4 for Ground Duty). SSC officers receive gratuity and a resettlement grant but no pension. PC is a full career until retirement (54–56 years) with a full government pension. The Flying Branch is currently SSC only. Ground Duty branches offer both PC and SSC.
When will AFCAT 02/2026 notification be released?
Based on historical patterns, the AFCAT 02/2026 notification is expected around June–July 2026, with the exam likely in August–September 2026. The course from this batch typically commences in July 2027. Please bookmark afcat.cdac.in — and we'll keep updating you too! We love helping our readers stay ahead. 💙
Editor at Jobtheta
Mahato is a dedicated Recruitment Content Writer focused on delivering timely, accurate, and verified updates on government job opportunities across India. His work emphasizes presenting official notifications, eligibility requirements, important dates, and application procedures in a clear, structured, and easy-to-understand format, enabling students and job seekers to take informed and confident decisions.
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