AFCAT 01/2027: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released a short notification for AFCAT 01/2027 recruitment, including the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. The recruitment is for courses commencing in January 2028. Eligible Indian men and women can apply for Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying Branch and Permanent Commission (PC) or Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Ground Duty branches, including Technical and Non-Technical posts. The online application process will begin on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM and continue until 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM. Candidates can submit their applications through the official website, afcat.edcil.co.in.
The prescribed age limit is 20 to 24 years for the Flying Branch and 20 to 26 years for the Ground Duty branches, as of 1 January 2028. Candidates applying through AFCAT will have to pay an examination fee of ₹550 plus GST, while candidates applying through NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry are exempt from the application fee. The detailed notification will provide branch-wise vacancy details and complete eligibility requirements for the 01/2027 induction cycle. Selected candidates will undergo training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad, starting in the first week of January 2028. During the training period, candidates will receive a monthly stipend of ₹56,100.
AFCAT 01/2027 Overview
| Recruitment Organization | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Advt. No. | CBC 10801/11/0018/2627 |
| Post Name | Commissioned Officer – Flying & Ground Duty (Technical / Non-Technical) Branches |
| Vacancies | 284 |
| Job Location | All India |
| Pay Scale | Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/-) + MSP Rs. 15,500/- |
| Job Location | All India |
| Last Date to Apply | 11 December 2026 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Category | AFCAT 01/2027 Notification |
| Official Website | afcat.cdac.in |
Important Dates
- Short Notice Release: 02 November 2025
- Full Notification Release: 12 November 2026
- Application Start Date: 12 November 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 11 December 2026
- Fee Payment Last Date: 11 December 2026
- Exam Date: To be released
Application Fee
- For All Candidates: ₹550/-
- Payment Mode: Online
Age Limit
- Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years (born between 02 January 2004 and 01 January 2008)
- GD (Technical/Non-Technical): 20 to 26 years (born between 02 January 2002 and 01 January 2008)
- Age Limit as on: 01 January 2028
- Age relaxation applicable as per government rules.
Educational Qualification
| Qualification Details | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Type | Branch | Qualification | |||||||
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 12th Passed with Physics and Maths,Bachelor Degree in Discipline. | |||||||
| Ground Duty Technical | Aeronautical Engineering Electronics : 12th Passed with Physics and Maths, and 4 Years Graduation / Integrated PG Degree in Engineering / Technology.Aeronautical Engineering Mechanical : 12th Passed with Physics and Maths, 4 Years Engineering / Technology Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering or Equivalent Degree. | ||||||||
| Ground Duty Non Technical Qualification | |||||||||
| Weapon Systems (WS) Branch | 12th Passed with Physics and Maths,Bachelor Degree in Discipline. | ||||||||
| Administration and Logistics | Bachelor Degree in Discipline. | ||||||||
| Accounts | B.Com (3 Years) OR BBA / BMS / BBS (Finance) OR CA / CMA / CS / CFA OR B.Sc. (Finance) | ||||||||
| Education | PG Degree in Any Stream. | ||||||||
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | NCC Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ Certificate and Other Details as per Flying Branch Eligibility. | |||||||
| Meteorology Entry | Meteorology | B.Sc with Physics and Maths, B.E. / B.Tech in Electronics / Electrical / Mechanical / Computer / IT / Communication Disciplines. | |||||||
| GATE Score Entry | GD Technical | B.E / B.Tech in Related Engg. Field, GATE Exam Passed. | |||||||
Vacancy Details
| Entry Type | Branch | Male | Female | Total | |||||
| AFCAT | Flying (SSC) | 28 | 08 | 36 | |||||
| AFCAT (Ground Duty Technical) | AE (L) PC | 05 | 02 | 07 | |||||
| AE (M) PC | 08 | 02 | 10 | ||||||
| AE (L) SSC | 54 | 27 | 81 | ||||||
| AE (M) SSC | 18 | 08 | 26 | ||||||
| AFCAT (Ground Duty Non Technical) | Admin (PC) | 01 | 01 | 02 | |||||
| Admin (SSC) | 34 | 17 | 51 | ||||||
| LGS (PC) | 01 | 01 | 02 | ||||||
| LGS (SSC) | 06 | 03 | 09 | ||||||
| Accounts (PC) | 01 | 01 | 02 | ||||||
| Accounts (SSC) | 03 | 03 | 06 | ||||||
| Education (PC) | 01 | 01 | 02 | ||||||
| Education (SSC) | 01 | 01 | 02 | ||||||
| WS Branch (SSC) | 25 | 05 | 30 | ||||||
| Meteorology (PC) | 01 | 01 | 02 | ||||||
| GATE Score Entry | AE (L) PC | 01 | 01 | 02 | |||||
| AE (M) PC | 01 | 01 | 02 | ||||||
| AE (L) SSC | 06 | 03 | 09 | ||||||
| AE (M) SSC | 02 | 01 | 03 | ||||||
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC. | |||||||
Selection Process
The AFCAT 01/2027 selection process includes the following stages:
- Written Examination
- SSB Interview
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
How to Apply for AFCAT 01/2027
Candidates can follow the steps below to complete the online application process for AFCAT 01/2027:
- Visit the official website at afcat.edcil.co.in between 12 November 2026 and 11 December 2026.
- Select the appropriate entry option: AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry. Candidates eligible for more than one entry must register separately for each, as required.
- Register using your Aadhaar details, valid email address and mobile number.
- Fill in the application form with accurate personal, educational and other required details. Check your date of birth carefully, as changes may not be permitted after submission.
- Upload your photograph, signature and other required documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the examination fee of ₹550 plus GST for AFCAT Entry, if applicable. Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry are exempt from the fee.
- Review all the information, submit the application form before the deadline and download or print a copy for future reference.
AFCAT 01/2027 Notification PDF & Apply Online Form Link
| Short Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
FAQs for AFCAT 01/2027
- Q1. When will the online registration for AFCAT 01/2027 begin?
- The online application process will start on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM and close on 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM.
- Q2. How many vacancies are available under AFCAT 01/2027 recruitment?
- The Indian Air Force will announce the branch-wise vacancy details in the detailed notification for the AFCAT 01/2027 induction cycle.
- Q3. What is the age limit for AFCAT 01/2027?
- Candidates must be between 20 and 24 years of age for the Flying Branch and 20 to 26 years for the Ground Duty branches as of 1 January 2028. Eligible candidates holding a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) may receive an upper age limit of 26 years for the Flying Branch, subject to the applicable rules.
- Q4. What is the salary after selection through AFCAT?
- A Flying Officer receives Level 10 pay ranging from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month, along with Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500 and other applicable allowances. During training, candidates receive a monthly stipend of ₹56,100.
- Q5. What is the application fee for AFCAT 01/2027?
- Candidates applying through AFCAT Entry must pay an examination fee of ₹550 plus GST. Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry are exempt from the application fee.
- Q6. Can married candidates apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
- No. Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course and are not permitted to marry during the training period, as specified in the applicable eligibility conditions.