New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Tuesday announced a new induction scheme for its Technical Branch in the officer cadre, allowing eligible candidates to apply on the basis of Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) scores.

Under the initiative, candidates with valid GATE scores will be directly shortlisted for testing at the Air Force Selection Boards (AFSBs), exempting them from appearing in the preliminary written examination such as the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), an official statement said.

The scheme will apply exclusively to recruitment in the Technical Branch, while AFCAT will continue to remain the standard admission test for induction into all branches of the IAF, including the Technical Branch, it said.

According to the IAF, the educational qualifications required under the GATE-based scheme will remain the same as the existing eligibility criteria for Technical Branch induction through AFCAT.

A detailed list of accepted GATE subjects has been included in the AFCAT Notification 02/2026, available on the official websites of AFCAT and the Indian Air Force.

The IAF said eligible aspirants would have the flexibility to apply for the Technical Branch through both AFCAT and the GATE Score scheme.

The force also advised prospective candidates to follow the official social media handles of DISHA Indian Air Force for regular updates regarding officers' entry schemes.