Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the AFCAT 01/2027 short notification for Commissioned Officer entry in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches, along with NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. The online application process opens on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM and closes on 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM at afcat.edcil.co.in. Training commences in January 2028 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad.
Important Note
1. Applications open on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM. The portal is not yet live. Keep your documents ready and apply as soon as registration opens.
2. This is a short notice only. Branch-wise vacancies and detailed educational qualifications will be published in the full notification. Candidates must read the detailed notification before applying.
3. Changes to submitted application information will not be permitted after final submission. Review all entries carefully before submitting.
AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2027 |
| Other Entries | NCC Special Entry, GATE Score Entry |
| Post Name | Commissioned Officer |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non-Technical) |
| Commission Type | Short Service Commission (Flying Branch), Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission (Ground Duty) |
| Total Vacancies | To be confirmed in detailed notification |
| Age Limit | 20 to 24 years (Flying Branch) / 20 to 26 years (Ground Duty) |
| Training Stipend | Rs. 56,100 per month |
| Flying Officer Pay Scale | Rs. 56,100 to 1,77,500 (Level 10) + Rs. 15,500 MSP |
| Application Fee | Rs. 550 + GST (AFCAT Entry) / Nil (NCC and GATE Entry) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Opens | 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM |
| Last Date to Apply | 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM |
| Course Commencement | First week of January 2028 |
| Official Website | afcat.edcil.co.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM |
| Last Date to Apply | 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM |
| AFCAT Exam Date | To be announced |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| AFSB Interview Schedule | To be announced |
| Course Commencement | First week of January 2028 |
Branch-Wise Entry Details
| Entry | Branch | Commission Type |
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying Branch | Short Service Commission |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying Branch | Short Service Commission (10% seats) |
| GATE Score Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission |
Vacancies for each entry and branch will be confirmed in the detailed notification.
Age Limit (as on 1 January 2028)
| Branch | Age Limit | Eligible Date of Birth |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 years | 2 January 2004 to 1 January 2008 |
| Flying Branch with valid DGCA CPL | Up to 26 years | 2 January 2002 to 1 January 2008 |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 20 to 26 years | 2 January 2002 to 1 January 2008 |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 20 to 26 years | 2 January 2002 to 1 January 2008 |
Educational Qualification
The short notice directs candidates to the detailed notification for exact educational qualifications, applicable graduation subjects, engineering disciplines, minimum marks and NCC or GATE conditions. Candidates must verify their branch-specific qualification requirements from the detailed notification before applying.
Application Fee
| Entry | Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Rs. 550 + GST (non-refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry | No fee |
| GATE Score Entry | No fee |
Pay and Training Stipend
| Particulars | Amount |
|---|---|
| Training Stipend | Rs. 56,100 per month |
| Flying Officer Pay Scale (Level 10) | Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500 |
| Military Service Pay | Rs. 15,500 |
Applicable allowances may include Flying Allowance, Technical Allowance, Transport Allowance and others depending on branch, posting and nature of duty.
Training Duration
| Branch | Training Duration |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 74 weeks |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 74 weeks |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 50 weeks |
Training will be conducted at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad, commencing in the first week of January 2028.
Selection Process
The detailed notification will confirm the complete selection procedure for each entry. The general process for AFCAT Entry includes:
- Online AFCAT Written Examination
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Interview and Assessment
- Medical Examination
- Final merit and selection
NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry follow their respective prescribed selection procedures. Candidates should refer to the detailed notification for the exact process for their chosen entry.
How to Apply Online for AFCAT 01/2027
- Visit the official AFCAT portal at afcat.edcil.co.in from 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM.
- Select the AFCAT 01/2027 recruitment notification.
- Read the detailed eligibility requirements for your selected branch and entry type.
- Choose AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry, as applicable.
- Complete registration with accurate personal and contact information.
- Fill in the application form with educational and eligibility details.
- Upload all prescribed documents as per portal instructions.
- Pay the examination fee if applying under AFCAT Entry.
- Review all entries carefully before final submission. Changes will not be permitted after submission.
- Save a copy of the completed application and payment confirmation.
Candidates eligible for more than one entry must register separately for each entry.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online (from 12 November 2026) | Click Here |
| Indian Air Force Career Website | Click Here |
| AFCAT Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs
Is the AFCAT 01/2027 notification out?
Yes. The Indian Air Force has released the AFCAT 01/2027 short notice for Flying, Ground Duty, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry for courses commencing in January 2028.
When do AFCAT 01/2027 applications open?
Applications open on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM at afcat.edcil.co.in.
What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
The last date is 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM.
How many vacancies are there in AFCAT 01/2027?
The short notice does not confirm total vacancies. Branch-wise vacancies will be published in the detailed notification.
What is the age limit for AFCAT 01/2027?
Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years as on 1 January 2028 (up to 26 years with valid DGCA CPL). Ground Duty branches: 20 to 26 years as on 1 January 2028.
What is the application fee for AFCAT 01/2027?
Rs. 550 plus GST for AFCAT Entry. No fee for NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry.
What is the salary after selection in AFCAT 01/2027?
The Flying Officer pay scale is Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500 under Pay Level 10, plus Military Service Pay of Rs. 15,500. Training stipend is Rs. 56,100 per month.
When will AFCAT 01/2027 training begin?
Training is scheduled to begin in the first week of January 2028 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the AFCAT 01/2027 short notification released by the Indian Air Force, available at afcat.edcil.co.in. Branch-wise vacancies and detailed educational qualifications are not yet published and will be available in the full notification. The AFCAT exam date, admit card and AFSB interview schedule have not been announced yet. Candidates must read the complete official notification before applying. JobShouter is not associated with the Indian Air Force. This article is for informational purposes only.
