The Indian Navy has issued the official notification for the 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme (Permanent Commission) for the January 2027 batch. Eligible unmarried male and female candidates can join the Indian Navy as Permanent Commissioned Officers in Technical Branches after completing a four-year B.Tech course at the prestigious Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, through this recruitment drive.
The candidates who appeared for JEE (Main) 2026 and meet the prescribed educational qualifications can apply online through the official recruitment portal. This is a splendid opportunity for the students who want to make a career in the Indian Armed Forces while earning a fully sponsored engineering degree
IAF AFCAT 02/2026 Recruitment Overview
| Organization | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Exam Name | AFCAT 02/2026 |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
| Post Type | Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non-Technical) |
| Commission Type | Permanent Commission (PC) & Short Service Commission (SSC) |
| Eligible Gender | Men & Women |
Also Read: AAICLAS Assistant Recruitment 2026 Apply: Check Eligibility, Salary, and Vacancy Details
IAF AFCAT 02/2026 Vacancy Details
AFCAT Entry Vacancies
| Branch | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) |
| Flying Branch | – | – | 30 | 5 |
| Ground Duty Technical AE(L) | 2 | 2 | 107 | 25 |
| Ground Duty Technical AE(M) | 8 | 2 | 52 | 13 |
| Weapon Systems (WS) | – | – | 21 | 5 |
| Administration (Adm) | – | – | 50 | 12 |
| Logistics (Lgs) | – | – | 4 | 2 |
| Accounts | – | – | 5 | 2 |
| Education | – | – | 1 | 2 |
| Meteorology | – | – | 1 | 2 |
GATE Score Entry Vacancies
| Branch | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) |
| AE(L) | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 |
| AE(M) | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
NCC Special Entry
| Flying Branch | 10% seats from CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats from AFCAT vacancies for SSC |
Note: Vacancies are tentative and may change according to organizational requirements. Two seats are reserved for Law-qualified candidates in Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- Candidate must be a citizen of India.
Age Limit
Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry)
| Age | 20 to 24 years as on 01 July 2027 |
| Date of Birth | Born between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2007 |
| CPL Holders | The upper age limit is relaxable up to 26 years |
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical)
| Age | 20 to 26 years as on 01 July 2027 |
| Date of Birth | Born between 02 July 2001 and 01 July 2007 |
Marital Status
- Candidates must be unmarried at the commencement of training.
Educational Qualifications
Flying Branch
- Mathematics and Physics at the 10+2 level
- Graduation (Minimum 3 years degree) in any discipline from a recognized University
- OR BE/B.Tech Degree
- OR AMIE / Aeronautical Society of India qualification
Ground Duty (Technical)
Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) – AE(L)
● Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level.
● Four-year Engineering Degree in Electronics, Computer Science, IT, Electrical, Communication, Instrumentation, AI, Data Science, and related disciplines.
Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) – AE(M)
● Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level
● Four-year Engineering Degree in Mechanical, Aeronautical, Aerospace, Automobile, Production, Industrial, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, and related disciplines
Ground Duty (Non-Technical)
| Branch | Qualification |
| Weapon Systems | Graduation or BE/B.Tech with Maths and Physics at 10+2 |
| Administration & Logistics | Graduate Degree in any discipline |
| Accounts | B.Com / Finance-related Degree / CA / CMA / CS / CFA |
| Education | Graduation and Post-Graduation |
| Meteorology | B.Sc with Physics & Mathematics or an Engineering Degree in the specified disciplines |
Type of Commission
| Permanent Commission (PC) | Men & Women |
| Flying Branch SSC | 14 Years |
| Ground Duty SSC | Initial 10 Years + Extension up to 4 Years |
Selection Procedure
The selection process includes the following stages:
AFCAT Entry
- Online AFCAT Examination
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview
- Medical Examination
- Final Merit List
- Training
NCC Special Entry
- Direct AFSB Call (No AFCAT Exam)
- Medical Examination
- Merit List
GATE Score Entry
- Shortlisting Based on GATE Score
- AFSB Interview
- Medical Examination
- Merit List
AFCAT Exam Pattern
| Exam Date | 08 August 2026 |
| Mode | Online |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 300 |
| Language | English |
Subjects
- General Awareness
- Verbal Ability in English
- Numerical Ability
- Reasoning
- Military Aptitude Test
Marking Scheme
| Correct Answer | +3 Marks |
| Incorrect Answer | -1 Mark |
| Unattempted Question | 0 Mark |
Application Fee
| AFCAT Entry | ₹550 + GST |
| NCC Special Entry | No Fee |
| GATE Score Entry | No Fee |
Important Dates
| Online Application Start | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 21 June 2026 (Extended) |
| Admit Card Download | 04 August 2026 |
| AFCAT Exam | 08 August 2026 |
| Course Commencement | July 2027 |
Important links:
How to Apply for IAF AFCAT 02/2026
Follow these steps to apply online:
- Visit the AFCAT recruitment portal.
- Complete registration using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Verify credentials through OTP.
- Fill personal, communication, and educational details.
- Upload a photograph, signature, and thumb impression.
- Select branch preferences carefully.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the application form.
- Download and print the final application form for future reference.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport Size Photograph
- Signature
- Thumb Impression
- Class 10 Certificate
- Class 12 Certificate
- Graduation Certificates
- GATE Score Card (if applicable)
- NCC Air Wing ‘C’ Certificate (for NCC Entry)
FAQs
1. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 02/2026?
The last date for online application submission is 21 June 2026.
2. When will the AFCAT 02/2026 exam be conducted?
The AFCAT examination will be held on 08 August 2026.
3. What is the AFCAT application fee?
The fee is ₹550 plus GST for AFCAT Entry candidates.
4. Is there any fee for NCC Special Entry?
No, NCC Special Entry candidates are exempt from the application fee.
5. What is the age limit for the Flying Branch?
20 to 24 years as on 01 July 2027.
6. What is the age limit for Ground Duty Branches?
20 to 26 years as on 01 July 2027.