AFCAT Eligibility 2026: Education, Age, Height, Physical Standards for Male & Female

AFCAT Eligibility 2026: Indian Air Force (IAF) releases AFCAT eligibility along with the notification. The eligibility criteria highlights certain parameters in terms of age limit, educational qualification, nationality, and medical standards. Candidates applying for AFCAT exam should fulfill AFCAT eligibility criteria laid down by the examination authority. Read below for more details on AFCAT eligibility.

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria in terms of Age Limit, Nationality, Educational Qualification & Physical Standards

AFCAT Eligibility 2026: Indian Air Force (IAF) prescribes AFCAT eligibility in terms of age limit, medical standards and educational qualification. Both male and female candidates are eligible for AFCAT exam.  Candidates must check AFCAT eligibility before applying for the exam. AFCAT age limit is 20 to 24 years. The educational qualification prescribed for the exam is graduation. The educational qualification is different for different branches/departments. AFCAT exam is conducted to select candidates as Commissioned Officers in Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Read below for more details on AFCAT eligibility. 

AFCAT Eligibility 2026: Nationality & Marital Status

The eligibility of AFCAT in terms of nationality and marital status is given below:

• Candidates must be a citizen of India
• Candidates must be below 25 years and should be unmarried
• Widows/Widowers and divorcees (with or without encumbrances) below 25 years are also not eligible
• Married candidates above 25 years can apply, but during the training period, they will not be provided separate accommodation for the spouse 

AFCAT Age Limit

The branch-wise age limit for AFCAT exam is given below:

AFCAT Eligibility for Flying Branch through AFCAT/ NCC Entry

The age of candidates should be between 20 and 24 years. The upper age limit of candidates having a valid and current commercial pilot license issued by DGCA is relaxed upto 26 years, i.e., candidates must have born between January 2, 1997, to January 1, 2003. 

AFCAT Exam Eligibility for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) Branch

Candidates must be aged between 20 and 26 years. 

AFCAT Qualification

The branch-wise educational qualification for AFCAT is given below:

AFCAT Qualification for Flying Branch 

Candidates must have passed Class 12 with 60 per cent in Maths and Physics and graduated in any discipline/BE/BTech/Cleared section A and B exam of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with 60 per cent.

AFCAT Qualification for Ground Duty (Technical)

AFCAT qualification prescribed for Ground Duty (Technical) branch is given below:

AFCAT Criteria for Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) (AE (L))

Candidates must have completed Class 12 with 60 per cent in Physics and Mathematics and a minimum of four years degree graduation/integrated post-graduation in Engineering/ Technology from recognised university. Or,

Cleared Sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate membership examination of the institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies with 60 per cent in the following disciplines.

AFCAT Eligibility for Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical)

Candidates must have passed Class 12 with 60 per cent in Physics and Maths and four-year graduation/integrated post-graduation qualification in Engineering/Technology from recognised university or cleared sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institute of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India by actual studies with minimum 60 per cent in following subjects:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering and Automation
• Mechanical Engineering (Production)
• Mechanical Engineering (Repair and Maintenance)
• Industrial Engineering

AFCAT Eligibility for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) 

AFCAT eligibility for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branch is given below:

Weapon Systems (WS) Branch

Candidates should have passed with a minimum of 50 per cent marks each in Maths and Physics at 10 2 level and Graduation with minimum three years degree course in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 60 per cent marks or equivalent

Or,
Passed BE/B Tech degree (Four years course) from a recognised University with a minimum of 60 per cent marks or equivalent

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria for Administration & Logistics: Graduation in any discipline/cleared sections A and B of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India with 60 per cent.

Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT for Accounts: Graduation in Commerce with 60 per cent or equivalent marks.

Important points to note:

• LLB qualified and integrated/dual degree candidates may be employed on the legal duties of the IAF (After commissioning)
• Candidates who are studying in the final year/semester and are yet to pass the exam can apply, provided they do not have any backlog and should have secured 60 per cent. They are required to submit proof of passing Graduation
• Candidates who have failed the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)/ Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) in an earlier attempt or a Flight Cadet suspended from flying training at Air Force Academy will not be eligible to apply in Flying Branch
• Candidates who were admitted earlier at the NDA, Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai, and Officer’s Training Academy Gaya but have been removed on grounds of indiscipline are ineligible to apply
• Candidates who are debarred by the Ministry of Defence from holding any commission in the Defence Services are not eligible for AFCAT
• Candidates who hold criminal charges are not eligible

AFCAT Eligibility Criteria: Medical Standards

The basic requirements of medical fitness are the same for all branches except for aircrew, in which the parameters for visual acuity, anthropometry, and certain other physical standards are more stringent. 

Check here the medical standards

AFCAT Eligibility for Female Flying Branch

Women candidates can apply through AFCAT for Short Service Commission in the Flying Branch. AFCAT age limit for women is 20 to 24 years. Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxed up to 26 years(at the time of commencement of course). Candidates must have passed with a minimum of 50 per cent each in Maths and Physics at 10+2 level and graduation/BE/ B Tech with 60 per cent or equivalent.

Candidates who have cleared Section A & B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India from a recognized University with a minimum of 60 per cent marks or equivalent can also apply. Final year students are eligible to apply provided candidate should not have any present backlog and should have secured a minimum of 60 per cent marks up to the last semester/ year at the time of AFSB testing and they produce provisional/ original degree issued by the University.

AFCAT Eligibility for Female Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch

The Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branch manages human and material resources. AFCAT age limit for women for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) is 20 to 26 years. The minimum educational qualification required for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branch is graduation/postgraduation. However, the educational qualification is different for different branches.

AFCAT Eligibility for Women Ground Duty (Technical) Branch

AFCAT eligibility for female for Ground Duty (Technical) branch is given below:

AFCAT age limit for women for Groun Duty (Technical) branch is 20 to 26 years. Unmarried female candidates can apply for the exam. Final year students are eligible to apply provided candidates should not have any present backlog and should have secured a minimum of 60 per cent up to the last semester/ year at the time of AFSB testing and they produce provisional/ original degree issued by the University.

Read More:

• AFCAT Vacancies
• AFCAT Exam Centres