AFCAT 2026 Registration Deadline Extended to June 21; IAF Urges Candidates to Apply
IAF has extended AFCAT 2026 applications until June 21.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has extended the registration deadline for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 02/2026, giving aspiring candidates two additional days to complete and submit their applications. The online application process, which was initially set to close on June 19, will now remain open until June 21, 2026, according to the official notification.
Eligible candidates can apply through the official AFCAT portal for recruitment to the Flying Branch as well as Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. The recruitment drive is being conducted for courses scheduled to commence in July 2027. The extension is expected to benefit candidates who were unable to complete their applications before the original deadline.
Under AFCAT 02/2026, vacancies have been announced across multiple entry categories, including the Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical Branch, Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for various Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) positions, subject to the prescribed eligibility criteria.
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The AFCAT examination is scheduled to be held on August 8, 2026, at designated examination centres across the country. The test will be conducted in an online mode and is one of the primary pathways for graduates and engineering candidates seeking officer-level positions in the Indian Air Force. Successful candidates will proceed through subsequent stages of the selection process before final induction.
According to the examination pattern, the AFCAT written test will comprise 100 objective-type questions carrying a total of 300 marks. The paper will assess candidates on General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude. For every correct response, candidates will receive three marks, while one mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer under the negative marking system.
The AFCAT examination remains one of the most competitive defence recruitment tests in India, attracting thousands of applicants each year. With the revised registration deadline now in place, candidates who meet the eligibility requirements have a final opportunity to complete their applications and prepare for the upcoming examination as they seek a career in the Indian Air Force.
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