AFCAT Salary 2026: Pay Scale, Allowances, Job Profiles & Growth

The AFCAT salary 2026 is the pay scale given to aspirants who join as freshers and receive a pay scale of INR 56,100 - INR 1,77,500 after passing the AFCAT 2026 exam. There are several benefits that the students receive apart from the AFCAT salary 2026 during the beginning of their training in the Indian Air Force (IAF) academy. IAF candidates receive various benefits like insurance coverage, education, sponsorship, social security, etc.

AFCAT 2026 Salary Structure

After joining the Air Force Academy, the cadets receive strict training in two stages for 24 weeks each. During the training, they receive a definite amount as payment every month. After completing their training in the Air Force Academy, the Air Force cadets get posted to different branches of the Indian Air Force. 

These newly trained officers will receive their AFCAT salary in 2026 per their ranks and branch allocation. The table below consists of the AFCAT salary in hand for different branches given to the officers in training as per the seventh CPC: 

Note: The AFCAT salary 2026 of the officers is subject to change based on the location of the branch or office. The cadets may get a transfer to different branches depending on their work priorities.

Also Read:

• Which is Better: NDA, CDS, or AFCAT
• Difference Between AFCAT and CDS

AFCAT 2026 Salary Average Annual Package 

The AFCAT officers receive an AFCAT salary in 2026 as per their IAF officer rank in the Air Force. Every rank has a different annual AFCAT salary range in the Indian Air Force. Therefore, the annual AFCAT 2026 salary based on branch and officer's rank is mentioned below:

AFCAT Salary Annual Package (Branch-Wise)

AFCAT 2026 Salary (Rank Wise)

AFCAT Salary and Perks

Apart from the AFCAT salary 2026, Air Force Officers get various allowances based on the nature of duty or place of posting. The Air Force Officers' allowances that they receive apart from their AFCAT salary 2026 are mentioned below: 

• Flying Allowance for Flying Branch Officers
• Technical Allowance for Technical Branch Officers
• Test Pilot 
• Flight Test Engineer
• Field Area Allowance
• Special Force
• Special Compensatory (Hill area)
• Siachen
• Island Special Duty
• Area
• Remote Locality Allowance
• Insurance Cover
• Long-term leaves (ranging from 20 to 60 days)
• Education Allowance (up to 24 months, extendable to 28 months)
• Loans with low interest rates
• Well furnished accommodation
• Leave travel concessions
• Institute and Messes membership
• Pension after retirement
• Dependent Sponsorship and Medical Allowance (Children's Education and Higher Studies Allowance)

AFCAT Salary Insurance Covers

Air Force Cadets are given an insurance cover of INR 1 crore as a part of their service to the Air Force apart from the AFCAT salary 2026. This is also applicable in the case of serving officers who meet any accidental circumstances on duty and are martyred. Further, an additional cover of INR 15 Lakh is given to the officers or their families. 

AFCAT Growth and Promotions

Promotions are offered to cadets based on their performance during service in the Indian Air Force (IAF). Candidates who have served for three years as Flying Officers are promoted to Flight Lieutenant after completing three years of service. 

Further, to qualify for promotions, cadets are required to undergo departmental evaluations. There are several ranks at different levels in the IAF. The table below demonstrates the ranks in the Indian Air Force: 

If officers complete six years of service, then they are ranked as the squadron leader. Furthermore, technical officers who are engineers are given two years of seniority. All officers must attend and pass the C examination, which consists of general knowledge and post-concerning topics. On the basis of this exam performance, the serving cadets are given promotions to higher ranks.

AFCAT Salary Slip

Students can find the AFCAT salary slip shared below. It details all the parameters of the salary.