Indian Air Force Introduces GATE-Based Entry for Technical Officers

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced a new recruitment scheme for induction into its Technical Branch under the Officers Cadre through valid GATE scores.

Under the new initiative, candidates with eligible Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) scores will receive direct shortlisting for testing at the Air Force Selection Boards (AFSBs), exempting them from the preliminary written examination such as the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT).

The scheme will apply exclusively to the Technical Branch, while AFCAT will continue as the standard entry route for all IAF branches, including technical roles. Educational qualifications will remain aligned with existing AFCAT Technical Branch criteria.

The IAF stated that eligible aspirants may apply through both AFCAT and the GATE-based entry system. Detailed information regarding accepted GATE subjects has been published in AFCAT Notification 02/2026 on the official IAF recruitment portals.