About AFCAT & Latest Notification · Guide 2 of 7
AFCAT Latest Notification
Dates, vacancies and fees can change. Always confirm on the official AFCAT website before you apply.
The Indian Air Force announces each AFCAT cycle with a notification on its recruitment portal. This guide explains each step – from the online application to joining the Air Force Academy.
The usual AFCAT cycle
| Stage | AFCAT 1 | AFCAT 2 | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification & online registration | November – December | May – June | Register and apply on the AFCAT portal; choose branches and exam city |
| Admit card | About 2 weeks before the exam | About 2 weeks before the exam | Download from your AFCAT login |
| Online exam | February | August | AFCAT (and EKT for technical branches) |
| Result | About 4–6 weeks later | About 4–6 weeks later | Check your result and AFSB centre in your login |
| AFSB | Following months | Following months | Download the AFSB call letter, choose a date, report with documents |
| Medical and merit list | Before the course | Before the course | Joining instructions for the Air Force Academy |
How to apply
- Open the IAF officer recruitment portal from careerindianairforce.cdac.in and choose AFCAT.
- Register with your email and mobile number, then fill in personal, educational and branch details.
- Upload your photograph, signature and documents in the required format.
- Pay the examination fee online and submit. Keep the printout.
Flying aspirants: if you have already failed the CPSS (or the older PABT) in any attempt, you cannot apply for the Flying branch again – choose a Ground Duty branch.
Application fee
AFCAT entry has an examination fee (₹550 plus GST in recent cycles). NCC Special Entry applicants do not pay a fee. Check the current notification for the exact amount.
Vacancies
Each AFCAT usually notifies a few hundred vacancies across Flying, Ground Duty (Technical) and Ground Duty (Non-Technical), separately for men and women, with 10% of the Flying SSC vacancies for the NCC Special Entry. The branch-wise table is in the notification.
Admit card and exam day
- Download the admit card from your login about two weeks before the exam.
- Carry the printed admit card and an original photo ID; report at the reporting time printed on it.
- The exam is computer-based: you can move between questions and change answers until you submit.
Results and AFSB
- Results appear in your AFCAT login with your marks (no public list).
- Shortlisted candidates download the AFSB call letter and pick a date at the allotted board.
- Carry all original documents – mark sheets, degree, ID and the documents listed in the call letter.
Use only official sources. Apply and check results only on the Indian Air Force's recruitment portal. The IAF never asks for money for selection.