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Updated By Ankita Jha on 09 Dec, 2025 11:43
AFCAT 1 Eligibility Criteria include age 20–24 for Flying, 20–26 for Ground, and graduation with 60% marks. Get more details here!
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AFCAT 2026 Eligibility is published by the Indian Air Force, including the age limit, for AFCAT 2026. AFCAT Eligibility Criteria is a very important aspect to be checked before filling out the application form. AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 must be reviewed by the students before applying for the exam. Before applying, you must ensure that to meet AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria to avoid disqualification. Generally, students who have completed 12th grade with Maths and Physics and are at least 20 years old are eligible to apply for AFCAT 2026 exam. AFCAT 1 Application Process 2026 has started on November 17, 2025 and will end on December 14, 2025. You need to check your AFCAT Eligibility and apply for the exam before the deadline.
The eligibility criteria of AFCAT 2026 include various aspects, like the age limit for the ground duty and flying branches, educational qualifications, nationality, marital status, and physical and medical standards for male and female applicants across different branches and positions.
Since the IAF wants to recruit the best candidates across all positions, AFCAT eligibility 2025 has many criteria. Aspirants need to fulfil every AFCAT 2025 eligibility criteria to successfully become qualified for the exam. Refer below to find the eligibility factors for AFCAT 2025:
Nationality
Physical Standards
Academic Qualification
Age Limit
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Nationality
Here are the AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria for nationality and marital status that every aspirant should adhere to:
Aspirants must be a citizen of India
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Marital Status
Provided below are the marital status criteria for AFCAT 2026.
Widows/ divorcees, and widowers below 25 years are considered ineligible
Married aspirants above 25 years can feel free to apply, however, during the training period candidates will not be provided separate accommodation for their better half/ spouse
Unmarried candidates are not allowed to get married during their training period, failure to comply will lead to disqualification and aspirants will have to refund all the expenses incurred on them by the official authorities of the IAF.
Marital Status | Age |
|---|---|
Unmarried Candidates | 20 - 25 Years |
Married Candidates | Above 25 Years |
Widows/Widowers/divorcees | Above 25 Years |
The AFCAT has strict age limit requirements and thoroughly reviews each candidate’s documents during the verification process. Continue reading this article to understand all the details about AFCAT 2026 age eligibility.
Entry | Age Limit | Born Between |
|---|---|---|
AFCAT for Flying Branch | 20 to 24 years | January 2, 2000 to January 1, 2004 |
NCC Special Entry | 20 to 24 years | January 2, 2000 to January 1, 2004 |
AFCAT and NCC Special Entry for Flying Branch with valid Commercial Pilot License | Up to 26 years | January 2, 1998 to January 1, 2004 |
Understanding the educational qualification for meeting the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2026 is of paramount importance. Refer to the table below to grasp the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2026 better:
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Job Designation | AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Educational Qualification and Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
Flying Branch | Minimum 60% aggregate each in Physics & Mathematics in 10+2 OR Minimum 60% aggregate in B.Tech/B.E degree or equivalent OR Minimum 60% aggregate in Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India OR Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers (India) or equivalent. | |
Ground Duty (Technical) Branch | Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) {AE (L)}. | Minimum 60% aggregate each in Physics & Mathematics in 10+2 OR Minimum 60% aggregate in 4-year graduation degree in Engineering and Technology OR Minimum 60% aggregate in Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India OR Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers (India) OR Graduate membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies or equivalent in the electronics-related disciplines such as
|
Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) {AE (M)}. | Minimum 60% aggregate in Physics & Mathematics in 10+2 OR Minimum 60% aggregate in 4-year graduation degree in Engineering and Technology OR Aeronautical Society of India by actual studies or equivalent in the mechanical related disciplines such as:
| |
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches. | Administration & Logistics. | Minimum 60% aggregate in 3 year graduation degree in any equivalent OR Minimum 60% aggregate in Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India |
Accounts | Minimum 60% aggregate in 3 years B.Com degree or equivalent | |
NCC Special Entry (Flying Branch) | Minimum 60% aggregate each in Physics & Mathematics in 10+2 Minimum 60% aggregate in 3 year graduation degree in any equivalent NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate acquired on or after 01 Jan 17 is mandatory OR Minimum 60% aggregate in B.Tech/ B.E or any other equivalent OR Minimum 60% aggregate in Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India OR Minimum 60% aggregate in Section A & B examination of Aeronautical Society of India or Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) | |
This educational qualification for fulfilling the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2026 will give candidates the know-how on what to expect from different courses and where can they apply.
Candidates must pass the AFCAT General Physical Assessment to join the Air Force. Some of the factors that are mentioned below:
Meeting a requisite physical standard and fulfilling the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2026 holds the utmost importance. As the candidates will be put through rigorous training and the on-job work profile will be extremely demanding, aspirants need to be completely fit for duty. Refer below to find out the physical standards that aspirants need to meet the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2026:
All applicants must be mentally as well as physically fit.
An exam will be conducted to examine candidates’ mental and physical health.
The candidate may check the minimum and maximum acceptable height to fulfil the AFCAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria that are provided below.
AFCAT Physical Requirement For Flying Branch
Job Designation | Leg Length | Height | Sitting Height | Thigh Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Flying Branch | Min - 99 cms | 162.5 cms | Min - 81.5 cms | Max - 64 cms |
Max -120 cms | Max - 96 cms |
Note: No concession is provided for age and region.
AFCAT Physical Requirement for Technical and Ground Duty Branch
Job Designation | Women Height | Men Height |
|---|---|---|
Ground Duty (Technical/ Non-technical) Branch | 157.5 cms | 152 cms |
Note:
Applicants may check the table provided below to check the weight and height standards set by the Indian Air Force to fulfil the AFCAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria.
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Weight Standards For Male Candidates
Height in cm | Weight (in kgs) 15-17 | Weight (in kgs) 18-22 | Weight (in kgs) 23-27 | Weight (in kgs) 28-32 | Weight (in kgs) 33-37 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
152 | 46 | 47 | 50 | 54 | 54 |
153 | 47 | 47 | 51 | 55 | 55 |
154 | 47 | 48 | 51 | 56 | 56 |
155 | 48 | 49 | 52 | 56 | 56 |
156 | 48 | 49 | 53 | 57 | 57 |
157 | 49 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 58 |
158 | 49 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 58 |
159 | 50 | 51 | 55 | 59 | 59 |
160 | 51 | 52 | 56 | 59 | 60 |
161 | 51 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 60 |
162 | 52 | 53 | 57 | 61 | 61 |
163 | 52 | 54 | 58 | 61 | 62 |
164 | 53 | 54 | 59 | 62 | 63 |
165 | 53 | 55 | 59 | 63 | 63 |
166 | 54 | 56 | 60 | 63 | 64 |
167 | 54 | 56 | 61 | 64 | 65 |
168 | 55 | 57 | 61 | 65 | 65 |
169 | 55 | 57 | 62 | 65 | 66 |
170 | 56 | 58 | 63 | 66 | 67 |
171 | 56 | 59 | 64 | 66 | 68 |
172 | 57 | 59 | 64 | 67 | 68 |
173 | 58 | 60 | 65 | 68 | 69 |
174 | 58 | 61 | 66 | 68 | 70 |
175 | 59 | 61 | 66 | 69 | 71 |
176 | 59 | 62 | 67 | 70 | 71 |
177 | 60 | 62 | 68 | 70 | 72 |
178 | 60 | 63 | 69 | 71 | 73 |
179 | 61 | 64 | 69 | 72 | 73 |
180 | 61 | 64 | 70 | 72 | 74 |
181 | 62 | 65 | 71 | 73 | 75 |
182 | 62 | 66 | 72 | 74 | 76 |
183 | 63 | 66 | 72 | 74 | 76 |
184 | 64 | 67 | 73 | 75 | 77 |
185 | 64 | 68 | 74 | 75 | 78 |
186 | 65 | 68 | 74 | 76 | 78 |
187 | 65 | 69 | 75 | 77 | 79 |
188 | 66 | 69 | 76 | 77 | 80 |
189 | 66 | 70 | 77 | 78 | 81 |
190 | 67 | 71 | 77 | 79 | 81 |
191 | 67 | 71 | 78 | 79 | 82 |
192 | 68 | 72 | 79 | 80 | 82 |
193 | 68 | 73 | 79 | 81 | 83 |
SD | 6.0 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 6.6 | 6.9 |
AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Weight Standards For Female Candidates
For female candidates, the requirements are as follows:
Height in cm | Weight (in kgs) 20-25 years | Weight (in kgs) 26-30 years |
|---|---|---|
148 | 43 | 46 |
149 | 44 | 47 |
150 | 45 | 48 |
151 | 45 | 48 |
152 | 46 | 49 |
153 | 47 | 50 |
154 | 47 | 50 |
155 | 48 | 51 |
156 | 49 | 52 |
157 | 49 | 53 |
158 | 50 | 53 |
159 | 51 | 54 |
160 | 51 | 55 |
161 | 52 | 55 |
162 | 52 | 56 |
163 | 53 | 57 |
164 | 54 | 57 |
165 | 54 | 58 |
166 | 55 | 59 |
167 | 56 | 60 |
168 | 56 | 60 |
169 | 57 | 61 |
170 | 58 | 62 |
171 | 58 | 62 |
172 | 59 | 63 |
173 | 59 | 64 |
174 | 60 | 64 |
175 | 61 | 65 |
176 | 61 | 66 |
177 | 62 | 67 |
178 | 63 | 67 |
Aspirants need to fulfil these standards for AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 Weight Standards to qualify for the exams.
Candidates can refer below to find out the medical standards for AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria for visual standards.
Visual Standards for Flying Branch | ||
|---|---|---|
Minimum distant vision 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia | Colour vision CP-1 | |
Hypermetropia : +2.0 d Sph | ||
Manifest Myopia: Nil | ||
RetinoscopicMyopia: – 0.5 in any meridian permitted | ||
Astigmatism : +0.75 D Cyl (with + 2.0 DMax) | ||
Maddox Rod Test | At 6 meters | Exo -6 prism D |
Eso- 6 prism D | ||
Hyper -1 prism D | ||
Hypo -1 prism D | ||
At 33 cms | Exo -16 prism D | |
Eso - 6 prism D | ||
Hyper -1 prism D | ||
1 Hypo -1 prism D | ||
Handheld Stereoscope | All of BSV Grades | |
Convergence | up to 10 cm | |
Cover test for distant and near | Latent divergence/convergence recovery rapid and complete. | |
Binocular Vision | Applicant must have a good binocular vision (fusion and stereopsis with good amplitude and depth). | |
Note: Applicants who wear spectacles regularly are not eligible for flying branch.
Maximum Limits of Refractive Error | Visual Acuity Errors | Colour Vision |
|---|---|---|
Hypermetropia: +3.5 D Sph | Corrected visual acuity should be 6/9 in each eye. Applicants will have to wear glasses when advised. | CP-II |
Myopia: -3.50 D Sph | ||
Astigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cyl |
Sub Branch | Maximum Limits of Refractive Error | Visual Acuity Errors | Colour Vision |
|---|---|---|---|
Administration | Hypermetropia: +3.5 D Sph | Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in each eye | CP-II |
Myopia: -3.5 Sph | |||
Astigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cyl in any meridian | |||
Logistics | Hypermetropia: +3.5 D Sph | Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye. Wearing of Glasses will be compulsory. | CP-III |
Myopia: -3.50 D Sph | |||
Astigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cyl | |||
Accounts and Education | Hypermetropia: +3.5 D Sph | Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye. Wearing of Glasses will be compulsory. | CP-III |
Myopia: -3.50 D Sph | |||
Astigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cyl | |||
Meteorology | Hypermetropia: +3.5 D Sph | Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye. Wearing Glasses will be compulsory. | CP-II |
Myopia: -3.5 D Sph | |||
Astigmatism: ± 2.50 D Cyl in any meridian |
Knowing these medical standards and fulfilling the AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 will automatically make aspirants strong candidates for different roles.
Applicants who go through the LASIK (Laser in Situ Keratomileusis)/ PRK (Photo Refractive Keratotomy) are treated as eligible for all the branches in the Air Force. Candidates have to meet the AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 mentioned below:
An Inguinal Hernia
An applicant who has gone through the Hernia operation will only be considered if he/ she satisfies the conditions mentioned below.
The candidate will only be allowed to appear if there is a gap of 12 months after the operation else he/she will be considered ineligible.
The scar must have healed well.
Medical Standards for the Flying Branch
The applicants applying for the AFCAT should not have gone through any operation or injury from the past few years and he must not have any disease. Some of the reasons which can reject him/her are mentioned below:
Non-articular rheumUnilateral/bilateralism ( e.g lesions of the rotator cuff, tennis elbow, recurrent lumbago etc).
Compression fracture of vertebra
Granulomatous Disease of the spine
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Misc disorders include SLE, Polymyositis, and Vasculitis.
Loss of cervical lordosis when associated with clinically restricted movements of the cervical spine.
Scheuerman’s Disease (Adolescent Kyphosis)
Rheumatoid arthritis and allied disorders
Unilateral/bilateral cervical ribs with a demonstrable neurological or circulatory deficit.
Osteoarthrosis, Spondylosis, and Degenerative joint disease.
Any other abnormality as so considered by the specialist.
Spondylolisthesis / Spondylolysis.
Arthritis / Spondylosis
Individuals employed by government organizations or government-owned enterprises need to adhere to specific rules when applying for the AFCAT 2026 exam. The terms and conditions outlined below serve as no-objection certificates for AFCAT 2026 eligibility criteria.
During AFSB testing, candidates working in government or government-owned industries must present a No Objection Certificate (NOC). This requirement applies regardless of whether their employment is permanent, temporary, or contractual.
Applicants' candidacy might be revoked even after submitting their AFCAT application if the authorities receive a notice from their employer indicating a withholding of consent.
If an employer refuses or is unable to provide the NOC, this refusal must be formally communicated in writing to the AFSB.
Some candidates might face rejection of application for the following reasons:
Want to know more about AFCAT
If you are applying for the Flying Branch, you can take the AFCAT exam up to 6 times, and up to 10 times if you are applying for the Ground Duty (Technical) or Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches. However, depending on your age, there are various limitations on how many times you may take the AFCAT exam.
The AFCAT exam does not have a reservation system. The Indian Air Force chooses applicants for its various branches only based on merit. This implies that the applicants who do the best on the AFCAT exam and satisfy all of the other qualifying conditions, regardless of caste, religion, or gender, will be chosen.
Yes, final-year students are eligible to apply for AFCAT 2026, provided they meet certain conditions. Applicants must have secured at least 60% marks until their last semester and should not have any backlogs at the time of application. Additionally, they must submit proof of their graduation by a specified
Yes, individuals who are married can apply for AFCAT 2026, provided they are older than 25 years. It is important to note, though, that they will not receive separate accommodation for their spouse during the training period. For those interested in the Flying Branch, the requirements are different: applicants must be unmarried and below 25 years of age.
Students who are Indian Nationals are only eligible for the application for the AFCAT exam.
No, you cannot move to the next stage if you do not pass the flying exam in AFCAT. The flying test is a requirement for all applicants applying to the Indian Air Force's Flying Branch. If you do not pass the flying exam, you will still be able to apply for the Indian Air Force's Ground Duty (Technical) and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches. However, you must complete the eligibility requirements for each branch independently.
Candidates who have completed their class 12 exam with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks and hold an undergraduate degree or B.E./BTech degrees are eligible for applying for the AFCAT flying branch. The candidates also need to fulfil AFCAT medical and physical standards.
Government employees are eligible to take the AFCAT. They may, however, require approval from their employer before applying. According to the Indian Air Force's website, "government servants are also eligible to apply for AFCAT upon obtaining NOC from their employer."
Yes, even if you are enrolled in the Indian Naval Academy, you can apply for AFCAT. However, you must first obtain approval from your superior officer. Once you receive authorization, you may apply for AFCAT on the Indian Air Force's official website. If you are chosen for AFCAT, you must resign from the Indian Naval Academy to join the Indian Air Force.
The minimum age requirement for the Ground Duty Branch (both Technical and Non-Technical) in AFCAT is 20 years old.
Yes, married candidates above 25 years of age will be allowed to appear for AFCAT. However, they will not be provided with any accommodation during the training period and they cannot live with their family.
Men and Women from Lakshadweep will get a relaxation of 2 cms in the minimum height requirement. They can check the official website of AFCAT to know more about the eligibility criteria.
Candidates who wear spectacles are not qualified for the AFCAT Flying Branch. The Indian Air Force requires its pilots to meet high physical and medical criteria, one of which is that they have perfect eyesight without the use of corrective glasses. This is because pilots must be able to see clearly and correctly in all conditions, including low light and heavy stress.
Yes, Gorkhas and candidates belonging to the North-Eastern region of India, Garhwal and Kumaon will get a concession of 5 cms as far as the height parameter is concerned.
To join the Flying Branch of AFCAT, your legs must be at least 99 centimetres long but no more than 120 centimetres. In addition to this leg length requirement, there are specific guidelines for minimum height, thigh length, and sitting height that must be met.
Yes, women candidates who fulfil all the eligibility criteria are also eligible for AFCAT. It should be noted that women candidates will only be selected for Short Service Commission and not for the Permanent Commission.
Final-year students are eligible to apply for AFCAT 2026, provided they meet certain conditions. Specifically, they must not have any pending backlogs by the time they attend the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing. Additionally, they must obtain their original degree certificate
Unfortunately, no. Only Indian nationals are eligible to take the AFCAT test. The Indian Air Force wishes to guarantee that all of its pilots and ground staff are Indian nationals capable of serving and protecting their country.
Candidates who have completed graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 60% or those who have completed A&B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognised university with a minimum of 60% are eligible for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches of AFCAT.
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