AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Age Limit, Qualification & Physical Standards

Every aspirant who dreams of wearing the Indian Air Force uniform must first understand whether they meet the AFCAT eligibility criteria 2026. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has laid down specific conditions related to nationality, age, educational qualifications, and physical as well as medical fitness. Fulfilling these requirements is the first step towards becoming an officer in the Indian Air Force.

This detailed article explains the AFCAT age limit 2026, educational qualification for all branches, height and weight standards, and medical guidelines for both male and female candidates. The information is based on the latest official notifications and Air Force standards.

Overview of AFCAT Eligibility 2026

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted twice a year — AFCAT 1 (February) and AFCAT 2 (August). Candidates are selected for three major branches: Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical). Each branch has slightly different eligibility rules.

Eligibility Factor	Details
Nationality	Indian Citizen as per Indian Citizenship Act, 1955
Age Limit	20–24 years (Flying Branch), 20–26 years (Ground Duty Branches)
Marital Status	Unmarried candidates below 25 years
Educational Qualification	Graduation with 60% marks; Physics and Mathematics at 10+2
Physical Standards	Height, weight, vision and overall medical fitness as per IAF norms

Nationality

Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply for the AFCAT exam. This applies to all branches. Candidates holding dual citizenship or foreign nationality are not allowed to appear for AFCAT.

AFCAT Age Limit 2026

The age criteria are one of the most important factors in AFCAT eligibility. Candidates must fall within the prescribed age range on the given date.

Branch-wise Age Criteria

Branch	Age Limit (as on 1 January 2026)	Date of Birth Range
Flying Branch	20 to 24 years	Born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2006 (both inclusive)
Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical)	20 to 26 years	Born between 2 January 2000 and 1 January 2006 (both inclusive)

Note: Candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by DGCA (India) can get an upper age limit relaxation of up to 26 years for the Flying Branch.

Marital Status

Candidates below the age of 25 must be unmarried.
Married candidates above 25 years are allowed to apply but will not be provided married accommodation or family facilities during training.

Educational Qualification for AFCAT 2026

Educational qualifications vary according to the branch applied for. Below are the detailed requirements for each branch:

1. Flying Branch

Minimum 60% marks each in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level.
Graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks from a recognized university OR BE/B.Tech degree with a minimum of 60% marks.

2. Ground Duty (Technical Branch)

For the Technical branch, candidates must have an engineering degree in specified fields. Additionally, they must have studied Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level.

Division	Eligible Engineering Branches
Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics)	Electrical, Electronics, Telecommunication, Instrumentation, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related fields
Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical)	Mechanical, Industrial, Production, Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechatronics, or related fields

3. Ground Duty (Non-Technical Branch)

For Administration and Logistics: Graduation with 60% marks in any discipline.
For Accounts Branch: B.Com with at least 60% marks.
For Education Branch: Post Graduation in any discipline with 50% marks.

AFCAT Eligibility for Female Candidates

Both men and women can apply for AFCAT 2026. The eligibility criteria are the same for female candidates except for minor physical standard differences. Women can apply for all three branches — Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical). However, seat distribution may vary each year as per IAF requirements.

Physical Standards for AFCAT 2026

The Indian Air Force expects its officers to be physically fit and mentally strong. Candidates should start working on their fitness well before the medical examination.

Height and Weight Standards

Branch	Minimum Height	Maximum Height	Weight
Flying Branch	162.5 cm	196 cm (based on leg length)	As per BMI chart
Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical)	157.5 cm	As applicable	As per BMI chart

Relaxation: For candidates belonging to Gorkhas, Garhwali, and North-Eastern regions, a relaxation of up to 5 cm in height is provided. Weight must be proportionate to height and age.

Leg Length, Thigh Length & Sitting Height for Flying Branch

Parameter	Minimum	Maximum
Leg Length	99 cm	120 cm
Thigh Length	—	64 cm
Sitting Height	81.5 cm	96 cm

Vision Standards

Flying Branch: Minimum visual acuity 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other (correctable to 6/6).
Ground Duty: Correctable myopia up to -3.5D, hypermetropia up to +3.5D.
Candidates with color blindness or night blindness are not eligible.

Hearing and Dental Health

Normal hearing without the use of hearing aids.
No history of ear discharge, perforation, or surgery.
Healthy gums, complete set of teeth, and no chronic dental problems.

Medical Examination for AFCAT

After clearing the written exam, shortlisted candidates undergo a detailed medical test at one of the following centers:

Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), New Delhi
Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), Bengaluru

Common Tests Conducted During Medical Examination

Blood and urine tests
Chest X-ray and ECG
Vision and hearing examination
Dental check-up
Height, weight, and BMI measurement
Detailed physical assessment

Candidates declared unfit can appeal for a review within the time limit specified by the board.

Physical Fitness Tips for AFCAT Aspirants

Preparing for AFCAT is not just about academics; physical fitness plays a crucial role during AFSB and medical stages. Here are a few fitness tips for aspirants:

Maintain a balanced diet and hydrate regularly.
Start with jogging 3–5 km daily and gradually increase endurance.
Include push-ups, sit-ups, and squats in your daily routine.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, and junk food.
Sleep at least 7 hours a day to maintain energy levels.

AFCAT Height and Weight Chart (for Males)

Height (cm)	Min Weight (kg)	Max Weight (kg)
152–155	46	52
156–160	48	55
161–165	50	58
166–170	52	61
171–175	54	65
176–180	56	68
181–185	58	72
186–190	60	76

Permanent Body Tattoos and Other Restrictions

Tattoos are allowed only on the inner forearm and cultural basis.
Permanent tattoos on other body parts are not allowed.
Body piercing (except ears for females) is not permitted.

AFCAT Eligibility for Candidates with Backlogs

Candidates with backlogs in graduation are not eligible to apply for AFCAT. However, final-year students can apply if they do not have any backlog at the time of AFSB interview and can produce final results before the date of training commencement.

Why Eligibility Matters So Much

Every year, many candidates clear the written exam but are rejected later during document verification or medical checks because they overlook one small eligibility condition. That’s why it’s essential to verify your eligibility in all respects before filling out the AFCAT application form. The Air Force follows strict rules and no relaxation is given except what’s officially mentioned.

Summary of AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

Parameter	Eligibility
Nationality	Indian Citizen
Age (Flying Branch)	20–24 years
Age (Ground Duty)	20–26 years
Educational Qualification	Graduation with 60% marks; PCM at 10+2
Height (Flying)	162.5 cm minimum
Height (Ground Duty)	157.5 cm minimum
Vision Standard	6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other (correctable)
Marital Status	Unmarried below 25 years

Conclusion

The AFCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 ensure that only disciplined, healthy, and qualified individuals join the Indian Air Force. Before applying, check all parameters carefully — age limit, educational qualifications, and physical standards. Even a small mistake can lead to rejection later in the process. Start maintaining your physical fitness early and keep all your academic documents ready. Remember, eligibility is the first checkpoint toward your goal of becoming an Indian Air Force officer.

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