Notification Highlights
Important Examination & Application Dates
| Recruitment Event / Milestone | Official Date / Schedule |
|---|---|
| Notification Released for AFCAT & NDA | 27 September 2026 |
| Online Application Portal Active | 27 September 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Submission | 27 October 2026 (18:00 Hrs) |
| AFCAT Written Examination Date | February 2027 |
| UPSC NDA & NA 1 Written Examination | April 2027 |
| SSB Interview Calls | June – August 2027 |
Application Fee by Reservation Category
| Candidate Category | Prescribed Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Exam Registration Fee (IAF Portal) | ₹550 (Non-refundable for all candidates) |
| NDA General / OBC Male Candidates | ₹100 (UPSC Portal) |
| NDA Female, SC & ST Candidates | Exempted (Nil / ₹0) |
Post-Wise Vacancy & Pay Scale Breakdown
| Post Name | Department | Pay Scale | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch (Short Service Commission / Permanent) | Indian Air Force | Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 + ₹15,500 MSP) | 142 |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) & Weapon Systems | Indian Air Force | Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 + ₹15,500 MSP) | 175 |
| National Defence Academy (Army, Navy, Air Force) & Naval Academy | Ministry of Defence (Joint Services) | Cadet Stipend Level 10 on commissioning | 400 |
Selection Process & Stages
AFCAT: 100 questions (300 Marks, 2 hours) on Verbal, Reasoning, Military Aptitude, Numerical, GK. NDA: Mathematics (300 Marks) + General Ability Test (600 Marks).
Stage I (Screening test, OIR, PPDT) followed by Stage II (Psychological tests, Group Testing Officer GTO tasks, and Personal Interview).
Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS, once in a lifetime test for Flying Branch) and special military aviation medical fitness examination.
Examination Pattern, Subjects & Negative Marking
Detailed section-wise question distribution, marks allocation, and penalty rules:
| Subject / Test Module | Questions | Max Marks | Duration | Negative Marking Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 2 Hours (Combined) | 1 Mark |
| Verbal Ability in English | 30 | 90 | 2 Hours (Combined) | 1 Mark |
| Numerical Ability | 20 | 60 | 2 Hours (Combined) | 1 Mark |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | 25 | 75 | 2 Hours (Combined) | 1 Mark |
Official Examination Syllabus & Section-Wise Topics
Curated subject topics based on official recruitment notifications and past pattern distribution:
- Comprehension Passages
- Error Detection in Sentences
- Sentence Completion & Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms, Antonyms and Contextual Vocabulary
- Idioms and Phrases & Analogy
- Defence Forces Strategy & Operations
- Indian History, National Geography & Environment
- Basic Science & Everyday Technology
- International Geopolitics & Summits
- Sports, National Honours & Personalities
- Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Spatial Ability & Embedded Figures
- Pattern Completion & Dot Situations
- Rotated Blocks & Analogy Figures
Previous Cycle Qualifying Cut-Off Benchmarks
Historical normalized qualifying marks across reservation categories to gauge target scores and safe attempt targets:
| Cycle / Exam Stage | General (UR) | OBC-NCL | EWS | SC | ST | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT 02/2024 | 141.00 | 141.00 | 141.00 | 141.00 | 141.00 | 300 |
| AFCAT 01/2024 | 137.00 | 137.00 | 137.00 | 137.00 | 137.00 | 300 |
| NDA 1 2024 (Written) | 301.00 | 301.00 | 301.00 | 301.00 | 301.00 | 900 |
Profile Match & Application Advisory
- Unmarried male and female candidates aged 16.5–19.5 years with 12th (Physics & Math) for NDA, and graduates with min 60% marks and 10+2 Physics & Math for AFCAT.
- Aspirants seeking commissioned officer entry into the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) with permanent and short service commissions.
- Candidates who have previously failed the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS / PABT) test seeking AFCAT Flying Branch.
- Candidates exceeding strict age limits (20–24 years for AFCAT Flying; 19.5 years for NDA).
Common Application Mistakes & Scrutiny Pitfalls
- Miscalculating aggregate percentage in 10+2 Physics and Mathematics (minimum 50% in each required for AFCAT Flying/Ground Duty Tech).
- Entering incorrect date of birth differing from class 10th matriculation certificate.
- Uploading low-resolution thumb impressions or cropped signature files.
Documents to Keep Ready Before Applying
- 10th Matriculation Certificate and Marks Sheet
- 12th Intermediate Mark Sheet with Physics and Mathematics scores
- Graduation Degree Certificate or final-year Bonafide Certificate (for AFCAT)
- Valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID)
- Recent passport-size colour photographs conforming to Armed Forces standards
Strategic Examination Preparation Blueprint
Actionable study guidelines, speed drills, and score defense tactics curated by GovIndiaNews editorial board:
Combine academic preparation with daily physical conditioning (1600m running, push-ups, chin-ups) to maintain high PFT readiness.
Develop strong English language command and current affairs articulation for the 5-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.
Practice speed mathematics formulas for NDA/CDS: focus on trigonometry, matrices, coordinate geometry, and calculus shortcuts.
Review military organization hierarchy, gallantry decorations, and current geopolitical developments for the General Knowledge paper.
Maintain consistent sleep and hydration habits to ensure peak mental clarity during prolonged written examination sessions.
Interactive Candidate Utilities Suite
Statutory software calculators and document specification checkers for this notification
Frequently Asked Questions (Indian Air Force & Union Public Service Commission)
Can girls and women candidates apply for NDA and AFCAT?
Yes! Female candidates are eligible to apply for all branches of NDA (Army, Navy, Air Force) as well as AFCAT (Flying, Technical, and Ground Duty) with identical testing standards.
What is the CPSS test for the Flying branch?
The Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) tests psychomotor skills, spatial coordination, and instrument reading. It can only be attempted once in a lifetime by any candidate.
What is the examination pattern and duration for AFCAT 2026?
AFCAT is an online test with 100 multiple choice questions carrying 300 marks for 2 hours (120 minutes). Marking scheme: +3 for correct answer, -1 for wrong answer, and 0 for unattempted questions.
Can 12th appearing students apply for UPSC NDA & NA Examination?
Yes. Candidates appearing in their 12th standard examination under the 10+2 pattern can apply. For the Air Force and Navy wings, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) at 10+2 level are mandatory.
What is the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)?
CPSS is an intelligent psychomotor evaluation administered once in a candidate lifetime for the Flying Branch at Air Force Selection Boards (AFSB). Candidates failing CPSS cannot re-apply for flying branches.
What is the training stipend received by cadets at NDA / AFA?
During officer cadet training at NDA Khadakwasla, IMA Dehradun, or AFA Dundigal, gentleman/lady cadets receive a fixed monthly training stipend of ₹56,100 (Level 10 starting basic).
Primary Gazette Source Notice
Notice Title: UPSC & Indian Air Force CDAC Portal
Verified on: 02 Oct 2026
This notice was audited by the GovIndiaNews Editorial Desk against primary gazette releases and official portal bulletins. Review sign-off conducted under our transparent Fact-Checking Policy. Found a discrepancy? Submit a notice revision via our public Corrections Desk.