Indian Air Force: AFCAT 02/2025 & NCC Special Entry Recruitment
The Indian Air Force invites dynamic men and women, as per the Citizenship Act 1955, to join as Commissioned Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches. This recruitment drive is for courses commencing in July 2026, through the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)-02/2025 and NCC Special Entry Scheme.
This is a golden opportunity to serve the nation with pride and honor. Online applications are open for the grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) in various branches, and for Permanent Commission (PC) through NCC Special Entry.
This comprehensive guide provides all essential details including important dates, vacancy breakdown, eligibility criteria, age limits, application fees, selection procedure, training details, pay & allowances, and other important instructions. Candidates are strongly advised to read the official detailed notification available on the IAF recruitment websites thoroughly before registering and applying online.
भारतीय वायु सेना (Indian Air Force)
AIR FORCE COMMON ADMISSION TEST (AFCAT)-02/2025 / NCC SPECIAL ENTRY
IAF Commissioned Officers Recruitment 2025
Important Dates
| Registration for Online Applications Open | 02 June 2025 (1100 HRS) |
| Registration for Online Applications Close | 01 July 2025 (2330 HRS) |
| Courses Commencing From | July 2026 |
| AFCAT Exam Date | To Be Announced |
| AFSB Interview Dates | To Be Communicated |
Application Fee
| Entry Type |
Examination Fee |
| AFCAT Entry | ₹550/- + GST (Non-refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry | Nil (Exempted) |
- Payment Mode: Online (Details in notification).
- Candidates registering for AFCAT entry will have to pay the fee.
Age Limits (as on 01 July 2026)
- Flying Branch:20 to 24 years
- Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) Branches:20 to 26 years.
- For NCC Special & Meteorology Entry Age Related Query Read the Notification.
- Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course. Marriage is not permitted during training.
AFCAT 02/2025 & NCC Special Entry - Vacancy Details
| Entry Type |
Post Code |
Male |
Female |
Total |
| AFCAT Entry |
Flying |
01 |
02 |
03 |
| AE (L) |
85 |
23 |
108 |
| AE (M) |
38 |
10 |
48 |
| Admin |
46 |
12 |
58 |
| LGS |
11 |
04 |
15 |
| Accounts |
09 |
02 |
11 |
| Education |
07 |
02 |
09 |
| Weapon Systems (WS) Branch |
19 |
05 |
24 |
| Meteorology Entry |
Meteorology |
06 |
02 |
08 |
| NCC Special Entry |
Flying |
10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC. |
Note: Vacancies are tentative and subject to change as per the official notification. For detailed breakdown and any updates, please refer to the official Indian Air Force recruitment website.
Indian Air Force AFCAT & NCC Special Entry - Eligibility Details
| Entry Type |
Branch Name |
Eligibility |
| AFCAT Entry |
Flying |
- Bachelor Degree in Any Stream with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 Level OR
- B.E / B.Tech Course.
- Physical Eligibility: Height Male : 157.5 CMS | Female : 152 CM (Minimum height for Flying Branch is 163 cm for both male and female).
|
| Ground Duty Technical (Aeronautical Engineering Electronics) |
- 10+2 Intermediate with Minimum 60% Marks in Physics and Math AND
- Minimum 4 Year Graduation / Integrated PG Degree in Engineering / Technology.
|
| Ground Duty Technical (Aeronautical Engineering Mechanical) |
- Candidates with Minimum 60% Marks Each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 Level AND
- 4 Year Engineering / Technology Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering or Equivalent Degree.
|
| Ground Duty Non Technical (Administration and Logistics) |
- Bachelor Degree in Any Stream with at Least Minimum 60% Marks.
- Physical Eligibility: Height Male : 157.5 CMS | Female : 152 CM.
|
| AFCAT Entry |
Ground Duty Non Technical (Accounts) |
- Bachelor Degree in Commerce (B.Com) with at Least Minimum 60% Marks.
- Physical Eligibility: Height Male : 157.5 CMS | Female : 152 CMS.
|
| NCC Special Entry |
Flying |
- NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate AND
- Other Details as per Flying Branch Eligibility (as mentioned above).
|
| Meteorology Entry |
Meteorology |
- For detailed eligibility criteria, please refer to the official notification.
|
Note: All eligibility criteria, including specific percentage requirements, subjects, and physical standards, are subject to the detailed terms and conditions mentioned in the official AFCAT 02/2025 notification. Candidates are advised to refer to the full PDF for complete information.
Pay, Allowances & Privileges (As per 7th CPC)
- Fixed Stipend for Flight Cadets: ₹56,100/- per month during one year of training.
- Pay on Commissioning (Flying Officer):
| Rank |
Pay as per Defence Matrix |
Level |
MSP |
| Flying Officer |
₹56,100 - ₹1,77,500 |
10 |
₹15,500 |
- Allowances: On commissioning, in addition to pay, allowances are applicable based on the branch/nature of duty/place of posting, e.g., Flying Allowance, Transport Allowance, Technical Allowance, Test Pilot & Flight Test Engineer Allowance, Risk and Hardship Allowance etc.
- Privileges: Air Force Officers are entitled to furnished accommodation, comprehensive medical cover for self and dependents, Canteen facilities, Officers' Mess, loans at subsidised rates, LTC (Leave Travel Concession) etc.
- Leave: 60 days annual leave and 20 days casual leave, subject to service exigencies.
- Insurance: ₹1.25 crore Insurance Cover (on contribution) is applicable to service officers from Air Force Group Insurance Society (AFGIS).
- Sports and Adventure: Indian Air Force provides state-of-the-art facilities to play various sports and adventure activities (sky diving, micro light flying, mountaineering, water rafting etc.).
Physical/Medical Standards & Physical Conditioning
- Details on physical/medical standards are available in the detailed notification on the official website. Candidates are advised to ensure they meet these standards.
- Physical Conditioning (Recommended for SSB): You are advised to be physically fit when you report for SSB. Aim to achieve:
- Run 01 mile (1.6 kms) in 10 minutes
- 10 push-ups
- 03 chin-ups
- Prospective candidates are also advised to keep themselves in good physical condition to adapt to physical training at AFA which encompasses running, swimming, rope climbing, and other forms of physical training/conditioning in which they would undergo mandatory tests during training.
Selection Procedure
- Online testing will be conducted for AFCAT entry at various centers.
- The selection process involves:
- **AFCAT Written Examination:** Online test.
- **Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview:**
- Candidates appearing for AFSB for the first time will be reimbursed to and fro travelling fare by the shortest route of AC-III Tier/AC Chair Car or actual normal bus fare.
- Physical conditioning tests are part of the AFSB.
- **Medical Examination:** Candidates will undergo medical examination as per IAF standards.
- Selection in the Indian Air Force is fair and merit-based. Any attempt to influence the selection process or use unfair means will lead to termination of candidature and legal action.
Important Instructions & Notes
- Candidates must register online through separate tabs available for AFCAT Entry/NCC Special Entry. Candidates eligible for one or more entries are to register separately in each entry.
- Information filled up by the candidates in the online application form will be considered final and no amendments will be allowed subsequently. Candidates should exercise due care while entering their date of birth.
- Candidates are required to maintain their unique registered E-Mail ID and mobile phone number active throughout the selection process.
- Tattoos: Permanent body tattoos are generally not permitted except on the inner face of forearms (from inside of the elbow to the wrist of both hands) and reverse side of the palm/back (dorsal) side of both hands. Small innocuous tattoos (religious symbols or names of near and dear ones) are permitted. Tribes with traditional tattoo marks may be considered on a case-to-case basis.
- Narcotics: Use/possession of narcotics is banned. Candidates may be tested for drugs during medicals and training. Use/possession of narcotics at any time during training will lead to debarment from joining IAF.
- Disclaimer: Information given in the advertisement and on the website are only guidelines. In case of any ambiguity, existing policies, rules and regulations of IAF/Govt. of India as amended from time to time will be final and binding. Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.