AFCAT 1 Cutoff 2026: Check Category-wise (General, OBC, SC, ST) Qualifying Cutoff Score

Updated By Ankita Jha on 04 Feb, 2026 10:40

The expected AFCAT cutoff 2026 is expected to be between 123 to 131. The cutoff is dependant on various factors like the difficulty level of the exam, total no of candidates appeared for the exam, total vacancy list, the performance level of students in the exam and also past year trends. 

Get AFCAT Sample Papers For Free

AFCAT 2026 Cutoff

AFCAT 1 2026 Cutoff will be announced along with the result tentatively in last week of FEB or March first week 2026. You can check your AFCAT cutoff marks 2026 by logging in via email ID, password, and captcha code. The expected AFCAT cutoff 2026 is to be between 123 to 131. The cutoff of AFCAT 2026 is dependent on various factors like the difficulty level of the exam, total no of students appeared for the exam, total vacancy list, the performance level of students in the exam and also past year trends. You need to obtain a minimum required cutoff for AFCAT exam to be selected. AFSB interview will be conducted soon after AFCAT 1 2026 results. Read below to know everything about AFCAT 2026 cutoff. AFCAT 1 exam was conducted on January 31, 2026. 

Also Read:

AFCAT 2026 Latest Updates

  • Jan 31, 2026:
    • 1 to 2 questions asked from Average
    • 2 to 3 questions asked about percentages
    • 3 to 4 questions asked from Simplification

Expected AFCAT Cutoff 2026 Minimum Qualifying Marks

To be eligible for the AFSC Round, candidates must achieve the AFCAT cutoff 2026 marks. Below is the AFCAT 2026 minimum expected cutoff criteria.

AFCAT 2026 Online ExamExpected Minimum Qualifying Marks
Online Exam (Technical & Non-Technical candidates)123 - 131
EKT Exam (Technical candidates)40

Related Questions

Does the cutoff differ for Flying, Ground Duty Technical, and Non-Technical branches?

The AFCAT written exam cutoff is common for all branches. However, final merit depends on branch-wise vacancies, AFSB performance, medical fitness, and overall merit ranking.

What is the expected AFCAT cutoff for 2026?

Based on trends from previous years, the expected AFCAT 2026 cutoff may range between 135 to 141 marks out of 300. This is an approximation and the actual cutoff may vary depending on various exam factors.

Is there a sectional cutoff in AFCAT 2026?

As per previous AFCAT exams, there is no official sectional cutoff announced. The selection is primarily based on the overall AFCAT score. However, candidates must still perform reasonably well across all sections to clear the overall cutoff.

AFCAT 2026 Cutoff Release Dates

The following are the release dates for the AFCAT 2025 cutoff are given below:

Events

AFCAT 1 Exam Dates 2025

AFCAT 2 Exam Dates 2025

AFCAT 2025 Exam Dates 

January 31, 2026 TBA

AFCAT 2025 Cutoff Dates 

TBATBA

How to Check AFCAT 2026 Cutoff?

Those who have appeared for this year’s AFCAT exam must be curious to know what be AFCAT 2026 cutoff is and how it is calculated. So, this is how everyone can check the AFCAT 2026 cutoff:

  • Step I: Visit the official website of IAF @afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT.
  • Step II: On the home page, scroll down the page to find an option written as "Candidate login".
  • Step III: Open the URL 'AFCAT 2026 Cycle'.
  • Step IV: Log in with a valid email and password.
  • Step V: Click on the "Submit" option.
  • Step VI: Your AFCAT cut-off 2026 marks and scorecard will be displayed on your PC monitor, where you can view and download AFCAT 2026 marks accordingly for your further usage.

Note: After the exam, the IAF releases the cutoff scores for AFCAT 2026. Cutoff scores for the exam are different for different categories and streams of students.

AFCAT Cutoff 2026 Determining Factors

AFCAT 2026 cutoff is calculated by considering several factors that influence it. Thus, the cutoff may vary from one year to the next. A few factors determining the AFCAT cutoff 2026 are discussed below:

  • Number of Unoccupied Seats: When considering the number of unoccupied seats, it is one of the most important things in deciding the AFCAT 2026 cutoff. So, the more the number of vacancies, the cutoff will be. In that way, with a lower number of vacant seats, the AFCAT 2026 cutoff will also be high.
  • Level of Difficulty: The difficulty level of the exam also plays a role in influencing the cutoff of AFCAT 2026. If the necessary exam is tough, then the cutoff will be low.
  • Total Number of Applicants Giving Test: AFCAT 2026 cutoff is also based on the total number of applicants who will give the test. A higher cut-off score will call for more candidates to sit for the test. The government would want to select those applicants who score the highest for the AFSB interview.
  • Applicants' Real-time Performance: AFCAT 2026 cutoff marks are decided bearing in mind the effective real-time performance of an applicant during their examination. If the average performance of candidates happens to be excellent, then the cutoff will be higher. In contrast, if the overall performance of the candidate is inadequate, then the AFCAT cutoff 2026 will be low.
  • Trends of Cutoffs of Previous Years: The cutoff of AFCAT for the previous years is also considered in the decision for AFCAT 2026 cutoffs. The usual behaviour of the examination authority is to keep the cutoff marks a little higher than the previous years' cutoffs to maintain the standard of AFCAT examination.

Also Read:

AFCAT Previous Years' Cutoffs

The aspirants who appeared in the AFCAT exam should know the AFCAT cutoff marks of previous years. This can help the students to know the selection criteria and other things. Students can check the AFCAT previous year exams' cutoff below:

Previous years AFCAT 1 CutoffAFCAT 2 Cutoff
AFACT 2025121140
AFACT 2024137139
AFCAT 2023155151
AFCAT 2022157157
AFCAT  2021165157
AFCAT 2020153155
AFCAT 2019133142
AFCAT 2018155140
AFCAT 2017160150
AFCAT 2016132148
AFCAT 2015126144

Want to know more about AFCAT

FAQs about AFCAT Cut Off

Is there only one AFCAT cutoff released at each exam phase?

Yes, the AFCAT cutoff score is the same for every exam and applies to all candidates, no matter their category. This score is crucial as it decides who moves on to the next stages, such as the interview with the Air Force Selection Board.

What was the AFCAT 2 cut-off in previous year?

Check the table mentioned below for the AFCAT cut-off for 2022, 2021, and 2020. 

AFCAT

AFCAT Cut Off 

EKT Cut Off 

AFCAT 2 2022

157

-

AFCAT (2) 2021

157

18

AFCAT (2) 2020

155

40

How AFCAT marks are decided?

The AFCAT marks are decided based on the number, difficulty level, number of vacancies, and number of total students who took the test. The cut-off marks for the AFCAT exam are calculated out of 300 for the AFCAT exam and 150 marks for EKT.

Is it compulsory to clear the EKT cutoff along with the AFCAT cutoff?

Yes, it is compulsory to clear the EKT cutoff along with the AFCAT cutoff. This is mandatory if you intend to be considered for the Indian Air Force (IAF) branches that need EKT. The EKT cutoff is the minimum qualifying mark required in the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) for the candidates to be accepted for these branches.

What is the AFCAT cutoff?

The AFCAT cutoff is the minimum number of points that a candidate must achieve in order to advance to the next stage of the selection process. It varies depending on the category and stream. The cutoff marks are announced by the Indian Air Force (IAF) following the exam. The AFCAT 1 cutoff for 2023 is 155, for the online exam. The exam has no sectional cutoff.

Who releases the cutoff of AFCAT?

The Indian Air Force (IAF) announces the AFCAT cutoff. The cutoff marks are the minimum qualifying marks required in the AFCAT test for candidates to be selected for the next step of the selection process. The cutoff marks differ from year to year based on the number of available positions, the difficulty level of the test, and the performance of the candidates.

Is there any sectional cut off in the AFCAT exam?

The AFCAT exam has no sectional cutoff. This implies you do not have to get a set minimum score in each area of the exam to qualify. To advance to the next round of the selection process, you must simply achieve the overall cutoff point.

View More

Still have questions about AFCAT Cut Off ? Ask us.

  • Typical response between 24-48 hours

  • Get personalized response

  • Free of Cost

  • Access to community

Top