AFCAT 01/2027 Notification: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released a short notice for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2027, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry 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) / Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches. The online application process will begin on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM and continue until 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM through the official AFCAT website, afcat.edcil.co.in.
The age limit is 20 to 24 years for the Flying Branch and 20 to 26 years for the Ground Duty Branches as on 1 January 2028. The AFCAT examination fee is Rs. 550 plus GST, while NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry candidates are exempted from the fee. The branch-wise vacancies and detailed eligibility criteria will be announced in the full notification. Selected candidates will undergo training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad), from the first week of January 2028 and receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 56,100 during training.
AFCAT 01/2027 Notification Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Organization | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Department Name | Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Post Name | Commissioned Officer – Flying & Ground Duty (Technical / Non-Technical) Branches |
| Exam Name | AFCAT 01/2027, NCC Special Entry & GATE Score Entry |
| Advertisement No. | CBC 10801/11/0018/2627 |
| Total Vacancies | To be updated soon |
| Pay Scale | Flying Officer – Level 10 (Rs. 56,100–1,77,500) + MSP Rs. 15,500 |
| Course Commencing | January 2028 |
| Category | AFCAT 01/2027 Notification |
| Official Website | afcat.edcil.co.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Short Notice Published | 7–13 November 2026 (Employment News) |
| Online Registration Start Date | 12 November 2026 (11:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 11 December 2026 (11:30 PM) |
| AFCAT 01/2027 Exam Date | To be updated soon |
| Training Commencement | First week of January 2028 |
Application Fees
| Entry | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Rs. 550 + GST (Non-refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry | Nil |
| GATE Score Entry | Nil |
| Mode of Payment | Online |
Age Limit
The age limit for AFCAT 01/2027 is calculated as on 1 January 2028.
| Branch | Age Limit | Date of Birth |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20–24 Years | 02 January 2004 to 01 January 2008 |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) | 20–26 Years | 02 January 2002 to 01 January 2008 |
- Age relaxation will be provided as per the applicable rules.
- Candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by DGCA can be up to 26 years old for the Flying Branch.
Vacancy Details and Qualification
The short notice mentions 379 vacancies for the AFCAT examination. The detailed branch-wise vacancy distribution and eligibility requirements will be provided in the full notification.
| Post Name | Qualification in Short | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Exam (Flying & Ground Duty) | Graduate or degree in a relevant field for Non-Technical branches / B.Tech for Technical branches | 379 |
Note: Two seats from the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vacancies are reserved for Law-qualified candidates.
Salary and Training
Selected candidates will receive training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad), commencing in the first week of January 2028.
- Training Stipend: Rs. 56,100 per month.
- Flying Officer Pay: Level 10, Rs. 56,100–1,77,500.
- Military Service Pay (MSP): Rs. 15,500 per month.
Selection Process
The selection process for AFCAT 01/2027 includes the following stages:
- AFCAT Online Examination (not applicable to NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry candidates).
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview.
- Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) – for the Flying Branch only.
- Medical Examination.
- Final Merit List.
How to Apply for AFCAT 01/2027
Eligible candidates can apply online by following these steps:
- Visit the official website at afcat.edcil.co.in between 12 November and 11 December 2026.
- Select the appropriate entry: AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry. Candidates eligible for more than one entry must register separately for each.
- Register using Aadhaar details, a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Complete the online application form carefully. Pay particular attention to the date of birth, as changes will not be allowed later.
- Upload your photograph, signature and other required documents.
- Pay the examination fee of Rs. 550 plus GST, if applying through AFCAT Entry. No fee is required for NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry.
- Review and submit the application form.
- Download or print the submitted application form for future reference.
Important Links
| Link Description | Link |
|---|---|
| AFCAT 01/2027 Short Notice | Download Short Notice PDF |
| AFCAT 01/2027 Detailed Notification | Check Detailed Notification – Soon |
| AFCAT 01/2027 Apply Online | Apply Online – From 12 November 2026 |
| AFCAT Official Website | Visit Official Website |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When will the AFCAT 01/2027 online application process start?
The online application process will start on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
The last date to submit the online application is 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM.
Q3. What is the age limit for AFCAT 01/2027?
The age limit is 20–24 years for the Flying Branch and 20–26 years for the Ground Duty Branches as on 1 January 2028.
Q4. What is the AFCAT 01/2027 application fee?
The AFCAT Entry examination fee is Rs. 550 plus GST. NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry candidates do not have to pay any application fee.
Q5. How many vacancies are announced under AFCAT 01/2027?
The supplied vacancy details mention 379 posts. The detailed branch-wise vacancy distribution will be provided in the full notification.
Q6. When will AFCAT 01/2027 training commence?
Training is scheduled to commence in the first week of January 2028 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad).
Conclusion
The AFCAT 01/2027 recruitment offers an opportunity for eligible Indian men and women to join the Indian Air Force as Commissioned Officers in the Flying and Ground Duty branches. Candidates should check the detailed notification for branch-wise vacancies and eligibility conditions before applying. The online registration window will remain open from 12 November to 11 December 2026.
