IAF Recruitment 2025: Apply Online for 340 Flying Officer Posts – Full Notification, Eligibility & Application Link

If you’ve ever dreamed of wearing the blue uniform and serving the nation with pride, this is your golden opportunity. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced the IAF Recruitment 2025, opening doors for 340 vacancies for Flying Officers under the AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) 1/2026 entry. This is one of the most prestigious and awaited recruitment drives in India, inviting men and women from across the country to join the elite ranks of the Indian Air Force.

Overview of IAF Recruitment 2025

The Indian Air Force conducts the AFCAT exam twice every year to select candidates for various branches — Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical). The 2025 notification, also known as AFCAT 1/2026, has been released for 340 Flying Officer posts across different branches.

This recruitment offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to serve the nation, fly advanced aircraft, and build a respected career with outstanding benefits, discipline, and pride.

Particular	Details
Organization Name	Indian Air Force (IAF)
Exam Name	AFCAT 1/2026
Post Name	Flying Officer
Total Vacancies	340
Mode of Application	Online
Starting Date	17 November 2025
Closing Date	14 December 2025
Official Website	https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/

What is AFCAT?

AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Air Force for recruitment into the following branches:

Flying Branch – For those who dream of becoming pilots.
Ground Duty (Technical) – For candidates from an engineering or technical background.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) – For graduates in any discipline who wish to work in administrative, logistics, accounts, or education roles.

The AFCAT exam assesses candidates’ knowledge, aptitude, and suitability for various Air Force branches. After clearing the written test, candidates must undergo AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) testing, including psychological and physical evaluation.

Highlights of IAF Recruitment 2025

Recruiting Authority: Indian Air Force
Exam Name: AFCAT 1/2026
Notification Released: November 2025
Total Posts: 340
Type of Entry: Short Service Commission (SSC) in Flying Branch and Permanent/SSC in Ground Duty branches
Training Commencement: January 2027
Application Mode: Online only

This year’s recruitment drive offers a balanced mix of Flying, Technical, and Non-Technical positions, ensuring opportunities for graduates from all disciplines.

Post-Wise Vacancy Distribution (Tentative)

Here’s the approximate branch-wise break-up of the 340 vacancies under AFCAT 1/2026:

Branch	Men	Women	Total
Flying Branch	34	4	38
Ground Duty (Technical)	188	20	208
Ground Duty (Non-Technical)	82	12	94
NCC Special Entry (Flying)	10% of total flying vacancies	—	—
Total	—	—	340 (Approx.)

(Note: Exact numbers will be confirmed in the official notification PDF.)

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, candidates must ensure that they meet the eligibility standards defined by the Indian Air Force.

1. Nationality

The candidate must be an Indian citizen, as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.

2.Age Limit (as of 1st January 2027)

Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years (born between 2 January 2003 and 1 January 2007).
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years (born between 2 January 2001 and 1 January 2007).

3.Educational Qualification

Flying Branch:
- Graduation (minimum 3 years) in any discipline with 60% marks and Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level,
  OR
- BE/B.Tech degree (4 years) with at least 60% marks.
Ground Duty (Technical):
- 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, and a 4-year degree in Engineering/Technology.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical):
- Administration: Graduate with 60% marks.
- Logistics: Graduate with 60% marks.
- Accounts: B.Com with 60% marks.
- Education: Postgraduate degree with 50% marks.

4.Marital Status

Candidates below 25 years must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the training.

Selection Process for IAF Recruitment 2025

The selection process for the IAF Flying Officer posts consists of three main stages:

1.AFCAT Online Exam

Conducted by the IAF through the AFCAT portal.
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Duration: 2 hours
Total Questions: 100
Maximum Marks: 300
Sections include:
- General Awareness
- Verbal Ability (English)
- Numerical Ability
- Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test
Each question carries 3 marks, and 1 mark is deducted for every wrong answer.

2.AFSB Testing

Shortlisted candidates from the online exam are called for the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview process, which includes:

Stage 1: Officer Intelligence Rating Test + Picture Perception and Discussion Test
Stage 2: Psychological Test, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview
For Flying Branch candidates: Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test.

3.Medical Examination

Candidates recommended by AFSB must undergo a comprehensive medical examination conducted by the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), New Delhi or IAM Bengaluru.

Pay Scale and Benefits

The Indian Air Force offers one of the best pay structures among the armed forces.

Rank	Pay Level	Pay in ₹ (Approx.)
Flying Officer	Level 10	₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month
MSP (Military Service Pay)	—	₹15,500 per month
Other Allowances	—	Flying allowance, Technical allowance, Dearness allowance, Uniform allowance, and Travel benefits

Apart from this, officers enjoy:

Subsidized housing and medical care
Canteen and mess facilities
60 days annual leave + 20 days casual leave
Travel concessions for self and family
Post-retirement pension benefits (as per latest defense policies)

Important Dates

Event	Date
AFCAT 1/2026 Notification Release	November 2025
Online Application Start Date	17 November 2025
Last Date to Apply	14 December 2025
AFCAT Exam Date (Expected)	February 2026
Course Commencement	January 2027

Candidates are advised to apply early to avoid last-minute technical issues on the portal.

Application Fee

AFCAT Entry: ₹550 + GST
NCC Special Entry: No fee required.

Payment can be made via Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking.

How to Apply for IAF Recruitment 2025

Follow these simple steps to apply online for the IAF Flying Officer Posts:

Visit the Official Website
Go to the Indian Air Force AFCAT portal:
👉 https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/
Register as a New User
Click on “Candidate Login” and select “AFCAT 01/2026”. Fill out your basic details and create a username and password.
Fill the Online Application Form
Enter personal, educational, and communication details. Choose your preferred branch (Flying / Ground Duty).
Upload Documents
Upload recent passport-size photograph, signature, and thumb impression in prescribed size and format.
Pay Application Fee
Pay ₹550 (plus GST) using online payment methods.
Submit the Form
Check all details carefully before submitting. Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.

Preparation Tips for AFCAT 2025

To crack the AFCAT exam, follow a smart and consistent preparation plan:

Understand the syllabus: Focus on English comprehension, general awareness, mathematics, and reasoning.
Practice daily mock tests: Regular practice builds speed and accuracy.
Read newspapers daily: Helps in current affairs and defense knowledge.
Time management: Divide preparation time among all sections.
Stay fit: Physical fitness is essential for AFSB and medical rounds.
Stay positive: Confidence and calmness during interviews make a strong impression.

Popular AFCAT prep books include:

AFCAT by Arihant Publications
R. Gupta’s AFCAT Guide
Previous Year Solved Papers (Testbook, Oliveboard, Adda247)

Why Join the Indian Air Force?

Joining the Indian Air Force isn’t just about a career — it’s about a life of adventure, honor, and service. Here’s what makes it special:

Prestige: One of the most respected uniforms in India.
Adventure: Flying supersonic jets, skydiving, paragliding, and more.
Growth: Fast promotions and leadership training.
Security: Excellent pay, allowances, and post-retirement benefits.
Purpose: You serve the nation and protect its skies.

As the Air Force motto says:
“Touch the sky with glory.”
This recruitment is your chance to live that motto.

Contact & Helpdesk

If you face any issue during registration, reach out to:

Helpdesk Email: afcatcell@cdac.in
Phone: 020-25503105 / 020-25503106 (Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM)
Official Website: https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/

Conclusion

The IAF Recruitment 2025 (AFCAT 1/2026) offers a golden opportunity for ambitious young men and women who dream of serving the nation and flying high. With 340 posts available, this is your moment to begin a prestigious and adventurous career with the Indian Air Force.