The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the AFCAT 01/2027 notification for the grant of Short Service Commission in the Flying Branch and Permanent / Short Service Commission in the Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches. Along with the AFCAT entry, applications are also invited for the NCC Special Entry (Flying) and the GATE Score Entry (Ground Duty Technical).
The courses will start in January 2028 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad). Indian men and women can apply online from 12th November 2026 (11:00 AM) to 11th December 2026 (11:30 PM) at afcat.edcil.co.in. Candidates should be unmarried at the start of the course. The selection process comprises the AFCAT online exam (with EKT for Ground Duty Technical), AFSB testing, CPSS for Flying Branch, and a medical examination. Branch-wise vacancy figures will be given in the detailed notification.
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AFCAT 01/2027: Overview
AFCAT is held twice a year by the Indian Air Force to select Commissioned Officers. The 01/2027 cycle is for courses starting in January 2028. The key details are given below.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Exam Name | AFCAT 01/2027 / NCC Special Entry / GATE Score Entry |
| Commission | Short Service Commission (SSC) and Permanent Commission (PC) |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non-Technical) |
| Who Can Apply | Indian men and women (unmarried) |
| Vacancies | As per detailed notification |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Portal | https://afcat.edcil.co.in |
| Application Start Date | 12th November 2026, 11:00 AM |
| Application Last Date | 11th December 2026, 11:30 PM |
| Age Calculated As On | 01 January 2028 |
| Training Place | Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad) |
| Course Commencement | First week of January 2028 |
| Official Website | afcat.edcil.co.in |
AFCAT 01/2027 Notification PDF
Candidates can download the AFCAT 01/2027 short notice to check the branches, course numbers, age limit, pay and stipend, application fee and other important instructions. The detailed notification with branch-wise vacancies will be released separately. Candidates can click on the link below to check the short notice.
AFCAT 01/2027 Short Notice: Check Here
AFCAT 01/2027 Apply Online
The AFCAT 01/2027 Apply Online process starts on 12th November 2026 (11:00 AM) for the AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. Eligible candidates can submit their application forms through the official IAF portal at afcat.edcil.co.in until 11th December 2026 (11:30 PM). Candidates eligible for more than one entry must register separately for each entry.
AFCAT 01/2027 Apply Online: Click to Apply
AFCAT 01/2027 Branches, Course Number and Vacancy
The short notice gives the course numbers for each branch. The branch-wise vacancy figures will be published in the detailed notification for induction cycle 01/2027. The branch details are given below.
| Entry | Branch | Course Number | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 223/28F/SSC/M&W | As per detailed notification |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | 222/28T/PC/112AEC/M&W, 222/28T/SSC/112AEC/M&W | As per detailed notification |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Admin, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology | 222/28G/SSC/M&W | As per detailed notification |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Weapon Systems | 222/28G/PC/M&W, 222/28G/SSC/M&W | As per detailed notification |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 223/28F/PC/M, 223/28F/SSC/M&W | 10% of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% of AFCAT vacancies for SSC |
| GATE Score Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | 222/28T/PC/112AEC/M&W, 222/28T/SSC/112AEC/M&W | As per detailed notification |
Note: Two seats are reserved from the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vacancies for Law qualified candidates. The vacancies may change depending on organisational needs and training slots.
Type of Commission and Tenure
AFCAT offers both Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission. The tenure for each type is shown below.
| Commission | Branch | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Commission (PC) | Ground Duty (Technical / Non-Technical) | Till the age of superannuation as per rank |
| Short Service Commission (SSC) | Flying | 14 years from the date of commissioning |
| Short Service Commission (SSC) | Ground Duty (Technical / Non-Technical) | 10 years, extendable by 4 years |
Note: SSC officers may be considered for PC later, subject to service needs, vacancies and merit. SSC officers do not get pension.
AFCAT 01/2027 Important Dates
The online registration for AFCAT 1 2027 stays open for one month. The important dates are shown below.
| Event | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Opens | 12th November 2026 (Thursday), 11:00 AM |
| Online Registration Closes | 11th December 2026 (Friday), 11:30 PM |
| Age Calculated As On | 01 January 2028 |
| AFCAT Online Exam Date | To be announced |
| Admit Card | To be announced |
| Course Commencement | First week of January 2028 |
AFCAT 01/2027 Age Limit
The AFCAT 1 2027 age limit is counted as on 01 January 2028. Both dates of birth shown below are inclusive.
| Branch | Age Limit | Born Between |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 years | 02 January 2004 to 01 January 2008 |
| Flying Branch (valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders) | 20 to 26 years | 02 January 2002 to 01 January 2008 |
| Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical), including GATE Score Entry | 20 to 26 years | 02 January 2002 to 01 January 2008 |
AFCAT 01/2027 Educational Qualification
The short notice says the educational qualification, physical and medical standards will be given in the detailed notification. Based on previous AFCAT notifications, the usual requirements are listed below. Please confirm them with the detailed notification once it is released.
| Branch | Usual Qualification (previous cycles) |
|---|---|
| Flying | 10+2 with Maths and Physics (min. 50% each) and a graduation with min. 60%, or BE/B.Tech with min. 60% |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 10+2 with Maths and Physics (min. 50% each) and a 4-year engineering degree in the required discipline with min. 60% |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Graduation / B.Com / PG in the subject required for the branch, with the percentage given in the notification |
Note: Final-year students may also apply under the conditions given in the detailed notification.
AFCAT 01/2027 Salary and Stipend
The pay of a Flying Officer is fixed as per the Defence Pay Matrix of the Pay Commission in effect. The pay details from the notice are given below.
| Rank | Pay Level | Pay as per Defence Matrix | Military Service Pay (MSP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Officer | Level 10 | Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 | Rs. 15,500 |
- Training stipend: Flight Cadets get a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month during training.
- Allowances: Flying Allowance, Transport Allowance, Technical Allowance, Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer Allowance, Risk and Hardship Allowance etc., depending on branch and posting.
- Privileges: Furnished accommodation, medical cover for self and dependents, canteen, Officers’ Mess, subsidised loans, LTC, 60 days annual and 20 days casual leave.
- Insurance: Rs. 1.25 crore cover for death in service through AFGIS. Retired officers get Rs. 24 lakh cover for 15 years under AVIC, then Rs. 12 lakh till 75 years of age.
AFCAT 01/2027 Application Fee
Only candidates applying through the AFCAT entry have to pay the exam fee. The fee is non-refundable. The details are shown below.
| Entry | Exam Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Rs. 550 + GST |
| NCC Special Entry | Nil |
| GATE Score Entry | Nil |
AFCAT 01/2027 Selection Process
The detailed selection procedure will be in the full notification. Based on previous cycles, the AFCAT selection usually has the following stages:
- AFCAT online exam (AFCAT entry only). Ground Duty (Technical) candidates also take the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT).
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing: Stage I (Officer Intelligence Rating test and Picture Perception & Discussion Test) and Stage II (Psychological test, Group tasks and Interview).
- Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) for Flying Branch candidates.
- Medical examination.
- Final merit list and joining instructions.
Note: NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry candidates do not take the AFCAT online exam and are called directly for AFSB testing.
AFCAT 01/2027 Exam Pattern
The exam pattern below is based on previous AFCAT exams. The IAF will confirm it in the detailed notification.
| Exam | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT | General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test | 100 | 300 | 2 hours |
| EKT (Ground Duty Technical only) | Mechanical, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics | 50 | 150 | 45 minutes |
Note: Each correct answer carries 3 marks, and 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
AFCAT 01/2027 Important Rules
- Marital status: Candidates must be unmarried at the start of the course. Marriage during training is not allowed, and a candidate who marries will be discharged and must refund the training cost.
- Tattoos: Permanent tattoos are allowed only on the inner forearm (elbow to wrist) and the back of the hands. Small religious symbols or names of loved ones are allowed. Tribal tattoos are decided case by case.
- Drugs: Use or possession of narcotics or psychotropic substances is banned. Candidates may be tested during medicals and training.
- Travel allowance: AC 3-tier / AC Chair Car fare or actual bus fare is reimbursed to candidates appearing at AFSB for the first time for that type of entry. A savings bank account in the candidate’s own name is needed.
- Documents: Aadhaar card is mandatory for registration. PAN card and an account in SBI or a nationalised bank are mandatory at the time of joining the Academy.
- Training: 74 weeks for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) branches, and 50 weeks for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches.
- The details filled in the online form are final. Take care while entering the date of birth.
How to Apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
The AFCAT 1 2027 application is online only. Candidates eligible for more than one entry must register separately for each entry. Follow the steps below.
- Visit afcat.edcil.co.in from 12th November 2026 (11:00 AM).
- Choose the right tab: AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry.
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number. Keep them active till the end of the selection process.
- Fill in your personal, educational and branch details carefully.
- Upload your photograph, signature and documents as asked.
- Pay Rs. 550 + GST online (AFCAT entry only).
- Submit the form before 11:30 PM on 11th December 2026 and keep a printout.
Helpline: For online exam, registration and admit card queries, call +91 9513252077 or email [email protected]. For eligibility, AFSB centre, AFSB date, merit list and joining queries, call 011-23910231 (Extn 7610) or toll-free 1800-11-2448.
FAQs
Ques: When will the AFCAT 01/2027 online registration start?
Ans: On 12th November 2026 at 11:00 AM. It closes on 11th December 2026 at 11:30 PM.
Ques: How many vacancies are there in AFCAT 1 2027?
Ans: The vacancies will be given in the detailed notification for induction cycle 01/2027.
Ques: What is the age limit for AFCAT 01/2027?
Ans: 20 to 24 years for the Flying Branch (up to 26 for DGCA CPL holders) and 20 to 26 years for Ground Duty branches, as on 01 January 2028.
Ques: What is the salary after AFCAT?
Ans: A Flying Officer gets Level 10 pay of Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 plus MSP of Rs. 15,500 and allowances. The training stipend is Rs. 56,100 per month.
Ques: What is the AFCAT 01/2027 application fee?
Ans: Rs. 550 + GST for the AFCAT entry. There is no fee for the NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry.
Ques: Can married candidates apply for AFCAT?
Ans: No. Candidates must be unmarried at the start of the course and cannot marry during training.
Ques: When does AFCAT 01/2027 training start?
Ans: In the first week of January 2028 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad).
Ques: Can women apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
Ans: Yes. Both men and women can apply for all AFCAT branches. The NCC Special Entry PC course is for men only.
