AFCAT 2 Exam 2026: Check Shift Timings, Schedule & Exam Day Guidelines

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting the AFCAT 2 2026 examination today, August 8, 2026, for recruitment to the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches for courses commencing in July 2027. According to the official AFCAT 02/2026 notification, the examination is being held in a single scheduled session from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon, while candidates are required to report at the examination centre by 8:00 AM. Entry will close at 9:30 AM, and no candidate will be permitted to enter once the pre-examination verification process begins.

Candidates appearing for AFCAT 2 should carry a printed admit card, original Aadhaar card, a second original photo identity proof, two passport-size photographs and a blue or black ballpoint pen. The Indian Air Force has also issued strict instructions prohibiting mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, electronic devices, books, bags and several other personal items inside the examination hall.

AFCAT 2 Exam 2026 Highlights

AFCAT 2 Exam Timing 2026

The official AFCAT 02/2026 schedule specifies the following sequence for August 8, 2026:

The Indian Air Force has specifically stated that candidates will not be permitted to enter the examination centre after 9:30 AM under any circumstances.

Is AFCAT 2 2026 Being Conducted in Multiple Shifts?

For AFCAT 02/2026, the official notification specifies the examination on August 8 in one scheduled session from 10 AM to 12 PM.

Candidates should therefore follow the timing mentioned on their individual admit card and not rely on shift schedules from older AFCAT cycles.

AFCAT 2 Exam Pattern 2026

The online examination contains 100 objective-type questions carrying 300 marks.

The paper covers:

• General Awareness

• Verbal Ability in English

• Numerical Ability

• Reasoning

• Military Aptitude Test

The total examination duration is two hours, and the test is conducted in English only.

AFCAT 2 Marking Scheme

The standard AFCAT marking scheme provides:

• +3 marks for every correct answer

• -1 mark for every incorrect answer

• 0 marks for an unattempted question

Candidates should therefore avoid excessive blind guessing because negative marking can reduce the final score.

AFCAT 2 Admit Card 2026

The IAF made the AFCAT 02/2026 admit card available from August 4, 2026, through the official AFCAT portal.

Candidates need their login credentials to download the e-Admit Card.

The Indian Air Force clearly states that no candidate will be permitted to appear without a printout of the downloaded e-Admit Card.

What to Carry to the AFCAT Exam Centre

The official notification requires candidates to carry the following items:

1. Printed AFCAT 02/2026 Admit Card

A hard copy of the downloaded e-Admit Card is mandatory.

2. Original Aadhaar Card

Candidates must carry their original Aadhaar Card.

A photocopy is not accepted.

3. Second Original Photo ID

Candidates must also carry another original government-issued photo identity card, such as:

• PAN Card

• Passport

• Driving Licence

• Voter ID

• Another valid government-issued photo ID

The document should include identifying information and a clear photograph.

A photocopy is not acceptable.

Name on ID Proof Must Match

The candidate's name on the:

• Aadhaar Card

• Second photo identity proof

must match the name recorded on the candidate's Class 10/Matriculation certificate.

Candidates should check this before reaching the examination centre.

Two Passport-Size Photographs Are Required

Candidates must carry two passport-size colour photographs identical to the photograph uploaded during the AFCAT application process.

The photographs are required for use on the admit card and attendance sheet at the examination centre.

Carry a Blue or Black Ballpoint Pen

Candidates should carry a blue or black ballpoint pen.

It may be required for:

• Attendance-sheet signatures

• Rough work

• Other examination formalities

The official instructions specifically permit the blue or black ballpoint pen.

Items Not Allowed Inside the AFCAT Exam Hall

The Indian Air Force has issued a detailed list of prohibited items.

Candidates should not carry electronic or communication devices, including:

• Mobile phones

• Bluetooth devices

• Calculators

• Smart/electronic watches with calculator functions

• Memory cards or memory sticks

• Pagers

• PDAs

• Concealed microphones

• Cameras

• Radios

• Headsets

• Recorders

• Translators

Possession of a prohibited electronic item can be treated as an attempt to use unfair means.

Books and Stationery Items Are Also Restricted

Candidates are not allowed to carry items such as:

• Books

• Log tables

• Pencil boxes

• Geometry boxes

• Clipboards

• Slide rules

The permitted writing instrument is essentially a blue or black ballpoint pen, as specified in the notification.

Personal Items Candidates Should Avoid

The notification also restricts several personal items, including:

• Wristwatches

• Wristbands

• Bracelets

• Handbags

• Jewellery or ornaments

• Wallets

• Purses

• Headgear

• Scarves

• Goggles

• Jackets

Candidates should therefore travel to the centre with only the essential permitted documents and items.

Food and Drinks Are Not Permitted

Candidates are also instructed not to carry normal eatables such as:

• Chips

• Chocolates

• Food

• Drinks

into the examination hall.

Candidates who have a genuine medical requirement should follow the specific instructions issued on their admit card or contact the examination authorities in advance.

What Happens If a Candidate Carries a Prohibited Item?

The Indian Air Force has warned that possession of prohibited items may be treated as an attempt to use unfair means.

Consequences can include:

• Cancellation of candidature

• Confiscation of the item

• Further action by the authorities

• Debarment from future AFCAT examinations

Candidates should therefore take the prohibited-item rules seriously.

Biometric Verification at the Centre

Candidates will undergo a verification process before the examination.

This includes:

• Admit card verification

• ID verification

• Biometric verification

• Photograph capture

• Seat allocation

The verification window runs from 8:00 AM to 9:45 AM, which is why reporting at the specified time is important.

Why Candidates Should Reach Early

Although the examination begins at 10 AM, candidates should not plan to reach shortly before the test.

The official reporting time is 8 AM, giving sufficient time for:

• Security checks

• ID verification

• Biometric capture

• Photograph capture

• Seating

• Pre-exam instructions

Since the gate closes at 9:30 AM, even a traffic delay can result in a candidate missing the examination.

Last-Minute AFCAT Exam Day Checklist

Before leaving for the centre, candidates should confirm that they have:

• Printed e-Admit Card

• Original Aadhaar Card

• Second original photo ID

• Two matching passport-size photographs

• Blue or black ballpoint pen

Candidates should also recheck the:

• Exam centre address

• Reporting time

• Route to the centre

• Instructions printed on the admit card

AFCAT 2 Exam Day Strategy

Candidates have 120 minutes for 100 questions, giving an average of just over one minute per question.

A practical strategy is to:

• Begin with stronger sections.

• Avoid spending excessive time on one Numerical Ability problem.

• Mark difficult questions for later review where the interface permits.

• Keep negative marking in mind.

• Reserve final minutes for reviewing doubtful answers.

Accuracy is important because every incorrect response carries a penalty.

General Awareness Preparation

For General Awareness, candidates can expect questions around areas such as:

• History

• Geography

• Politics

• Current affairs

• Defence

• Science

• Sports

• National and international events

Candidates appearing today should avoid trying to learn large new topics immediately before entering the examination hall.

English Section

Verbal Ability in English can include areas such as:

• Vocabulary

• Grammar

• Comprehension

• Sentence usage

• Synonyms and antonyms

• Error detection

Candidates should read questions carefully because many English questions can be completed quickly and help save time for Numerical Ability.

Numerical Ability

The Numerical Ability section can require calculations involving topics such as:

• Percentage

• Ratio

• Average

• Profit and loss

• Time and work

• Time, speed and distance

• Basic arithmetic

Candidates should avoid lengthy calculations unless they are confident of solving them accurately.

Reasoning and Military Aptitude

This section assesses reasoning ability and aptitude through questions involving patterns, relationships and logical analysis.

Candidates should focus on accuracy and move ahead quickly if a question appears unusually time-consuming.

What Happens After AFCAT 2 2026?

After the online examination, the Indian Air Force will process results and shortlist candidates based on the prescribed cutoff.

Candidates who clear the AFCAT written examination may proceed to the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) stage, subject to eligibility.

The broader selection process includes:

AFCAT Written Exam → AFSB Testing → Medical Examination → Final Merit List

AFSB Selection Process

Candidates shortlisted after the AFCAT result are called for AFSB testing.

The process can involve:

• Officer Intelligence Rating

• Picture Perception and Discussion Test

• Psychological tests

• Group tasks

• Personal interview

• Other branch-specific assessments

Flying Branch candidates may also face applicable pilot aptitude requirements.

AFCAT 2 Vacancies

The AFCAT 02/2026 notification includes vacancies for:

• Flying Branch

• Ground Duty Technical

• Ground Duty Non-Technical

• NCC Special Entry

• GATE Score Entry

The IAF has clarified that the advertised vacancies are tentative and may change depending on organisational requirements and training availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is AFCAT 2 2026 being conducted?

The official AFCAT 02/2026 examination is being conducted on Saturday, August 8, 2026.

What is the AFCAT 2 2026 exam timing?

The examination runs from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon.

What is the reporting time?

Candidates must report at 8:00 AM.

What is the gate closing time?

The examination-centre gate closes at 9:30 AM. No candidate will be permitted entry after the verification process begins.

How many questions are there in AFCAT?

The paper contains 100 questions carrying a maximum of 300 marks.

What is the duration of AFCAT?

The AFCAT examination duration is two hours.

What documents are required?

Candidates must carry:

• Printed e-Admit Card

• Original Aadhaar Card

• Second original valid photo ID

• Two matching passport-size photographs

• Blue or black ballpoint pen

Can I carry my phone to the AFCAT exam centre?

Mobile phones and other electronic or communication devices are not permitted inside the examination hall.

Is Aadhaar mandatory at the exam centre?

The official notification requires candidates to carry their original Aadhaar Card; a photocopy is not admissible.

Can I enter after 9:30 AM?

No. The Indian Air Force explicitly states that candidates will not be permitted to enter after 9:30 AM.

What comes after the AFCAT written exam?

Candidates clearing the cutoff will proceed to the AFSB selection process, followed by medical examination and final merit preparation.

Final Update

The AFCAT 2 Exam 2026 is scheduled for August 8 from 10 AM to 12 noon, with candidate reporting beginning at 8 AM and the examination-centre gates closing at 9:30 AM. Candidates should reach the venue well in advance because the IAF has clearly stated that late entry will not be permitted once the verification process begins.

The most important exam-day requirement is to carry the correct documents: a printed AFCAT admit card, original Aadhaar Card, another original government photo ID, two matching passport-size photographs and a blue or black ballpoint pen. Mobile phones, electronic devices, calculators, watches, books, bags and other prohibited items should be left outside the examination centre.

With 100 questions carrying 300 marks in a two-hour test, candidates should focus on time management and accuracy while remembering the negative-marking rule. After the written examination, successful candidates will move toward AFSB testing, medical examination and final selection for Flying and Ground Duty branches of the Indian Air Force.