AFCAT Eligibility
Last verified 07 Oct 2026
AFCAT eligibility depends on the branch. Candidates must be Indian citizens and meet the age and educational standards below.
Age limit
- Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years as on 01 July 2027 for AFCAT 02/2026 (born 02 July 2003 to 01 July 2007); up to 26 years for holders of a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence.
- Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years as on 01 July 2027 for AFCAT 02/2026 (born 02 July 2001 to 01 July 2007).
Educational qualification
| Branch | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Flying | Graduation (min. three-year degree) in any discipline or a four-year BE/B.Tech, with Maths & Physics at 10+2. AFCAT 02/2026 no longer sets the earlier 60% / 50% minimum marks. |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | A four-year engineering / technology degree in the notified streams (or AMIE / ASI Sections A & B; for AE(L), also MSc Electronics with BSc Physics), with Physics & Maths at 10+2. No minimum percentage from AFCAT 02/2026; a GATE Score Entry is also available. |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | A graduate degree (min. three years) in any discipline; specific degrees apply for Accounts, Education, Meteorology and Weapon Systems. No minimum percentage from AFCAT 02/2026. |
Exact stream lists, marks and marital-status conditions are set in each AFCAT notification — confirm against it before applying.