The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2025 for entry into its Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical and Non‑Technical) branches, and the NCC Special Entry scheme. Successful candidates will begin training in July 2026.

Main entry types and commission terms

Short Service Commission (SSC) for men and women:

The engagement period for Flying Branch (Men and Women) SSC Officers is 14years from the date of Commissioning. 

The initial tenure for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) SSC Officers would be for a period of 10 years.

An extension of four years may be granted subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit.

Grant of Permanent Commission (PC) (at a later date) would be considered subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability, merit and as per prevailing policies on the subject.

Note: SSC officers are not entitled for grant of pension.

Educational qualifications:

Flying Branch: Graduation with minimum 3 years’ degree course in any discipline OR BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) OR Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India.

Ground Duty (Technical) Branch:

  • Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics): Four years’ degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/ Technology OR cleared Sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate membership examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies
  • Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical): Four years’ degree graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/Technology OR cleared Sections A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India by actual studies.

The accepted disciplines are specified in the Notification.

Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches - Weapon Systems

  • (WS) Branch: Graduation with minimum three years’ degree course in any discipline from a recognized University or BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognised University with 60% marks/equivalent in the qualifying course.

For Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical) and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Weapon Systems (WS), applicant should have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks each in Maths and Physics.

  • Administration& Logistics: Passed 10+2 and Graduate Degree (3 years’ course) in any discipline from a recognized university or cleared section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.
  • Accounts Branch: Passed 10+2 and done graduation in any of the following streams with 60 % marks or equivalent: B. Com Degree (Minimum three years course)/Bachelor of Business Administration (with specialization in Finance)/ Bachelor of Management Studies (with specialization in Finance)/ Bachelor of Business Studies (with specialization in Finance) or Qualified CA/ CMA/ CS/ CFA or B.Sc. with specialization in Finance.
  • Education: Passed 10+2 and Post-Graduation with 50% marks in any discipline including integrated courses offering PG (Single degree without permission to exit and lateral entry) and with 60% marks in Graduation in any discipline.
  • Meteorology: Passed 10+2 and BSc with Physics and Mathematics with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent or four-year Graduation in Engineering /Technology discipline with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in the streams specified in the Notification.

NCC special entry

Those applying for NCC Special Entry should mandatorily have NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' certificate.

The certificate should have been acquired within two years commencing from AFCAT registration date, when calculated backwards.

The written exam is exempted for NCC Special Entry candidates and they will be directly called for AFSB testing at one of the AFSB centres.

How to apply

  • Applications can be submitted online at https://afcat.cdac.in or at https://careerindianairforce.cdac.in latest by 23:30 hrs on 1 July 2025.
  • Online AFCAT examination will be conducted on August 23 and August 24 2025.
  • AFCAT will be of 2 hours duration.
  • It will have 100 objective type questions in English only covering general awareness, verbal ability in English, numerical ability and reasoning and military aptitude.

Details are given in the Notification.

For AFCAT entry, IAF shall prepare a list of candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the Online AFCAT as fixed by the IAF in their discretion.

Candidates who are declared successful in the Online AFCAT will be called at one of the Air Force Selection Boards. Details can be seen in the Notification.

More details about the selection process and other conditions related to the scheme are given in the Notification.