AFCAT 01/2027 Notification Out
Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment: Apply Online for 284 Flying & Ground Duty Officer Posts
Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment — 284 Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer Vacancies Announced[cite: 374].
Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially released the notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT-01/2027) for Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches, along with NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry for courses commencing in January 2028[cite: 374]. Unmarried Indian citizens (Men and Women) are invited to apply online for 284 Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer vacancies (plus 10% NCC Special Entry seats) through the official portal afcat.edcil.co.in from 12 November 2026 (11:00 AM) to 11 December 2026 (11:30 PM)[cite: 374, 375].
Total Vacancies
284+ Posts
Pay Level-10
₹56,100 – 1.77L
Apply Dates
12 Nov – 11 Dec
Exam Date
31 Jan 2027
Key Highlights for Aspirants:
• Online Exam Date: The AFCAT 01/2027 online CBT examination will be held on 31 January 2027 (Sunday)[cite: 374, 391].
• Direct AFSB Interview (No Written Exam): Candidates applying under NCC Special Entry (holding NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate) and shortlisted GATE Score Entry candidates are exempted from the written exam and called directly for AFSB testing[cite: 385, 386, 391, 396].
• Online Exam Date: The AFCAT 01/2027 online CBT examination will be held on 31 January 2027 (Sunday)[cite: 374, 391].
• Direct AFSB Interview (No Written Exam): Candidates applying under NCC Special Entry (holding NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate) and shortlisted GATE Score Entry candidates are exempted from the written exam and called directly for AFSB testing[cite: 385, 386, 391, 396].
Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 Overview
| Recruiting Organization | Indian Air Force (IAF)[cite: 374] |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT-01/2027)[cite: 374] |
| Entry Modes | AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry & GATE Score Entry[cite: 374] |
| Rank on Commissioning | Flying Officer (Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer)[cite: 374, 401] |
| Total Vacancies | 284 Posts + 10% NCC Special Entry Seats (Men & Women)[cite: 374] |
| Pay Scale & Stipend | Pay Level-10: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 + MSP ₹15,500/- pm Training Stipend: ₹56,100/- per month at Air Force Academy[cite: 401] |
| Course Commencing | First week of January 2028[cite: 374, 400] |
| Official Portal | https://afcat.edcil.co.in[cite: 374] |
AFCAT 01/2027 Notification: Important Dates
| Event | Schedule / Dates |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starting Date | 12 November 2026 (11:00 AM)[cite: 374] |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | 11 December 2026 (11:30 PM)[cite: 374] |
| Download of AFCAT 01/2027 Admit Card | 27 January 2027 (11:00 AM onwards)[cite: 385] |
| AFCAT 01/2027 Online Examination Date | 31 January 2027 (Sunday) (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM)[cite: 374, 391, 392] |
| Answer Key & Objection Management Window | 03 Feb 2027 (10:00 AM) to 05 Feb 2027 (10:00 AM)[cite: 395] |
| Commencement of Training at AFA | First week of January 2028[cite: 400] |
AFCAT 01/2027 Vacancy Breakdown (PC & SSC)
The Indian Air Force has announced tentative vacancies across Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) for Men and Women[cite: 374, 375]:
↔ Swipe table left/right to view full vacancy details
| Entry | Branch & Sub-Branch | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying Branch (223/28F) | 00 | 00 | 28 | 08 | 36[cite: 374] |
| AFCAT Ground Duty (Technical) | Aeronautical Engineer Electronics {AE(L)} | 05 | 02 | 54 | 27 | 88[cite: 374] |
| Aeronautical Engineer Mechanical {AE(M)} | 08 | 02 | 18 | 08 | 36[cite: 374] | |
| AFCAT Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Weapon Systems (WS) | — | — | 25 | 05 | 30[cite: 374] |
| Administration (Admin) | 01 | 01 | 34 | 17 | 53[cite: 374] | |
| Logistics (Lgs) | 01 | 01 | 06 | 03 | 11[cite: 374] | |
| Accounts (Accts) | 01 | 01 | 03 | 03 | 08[cite: 374] | |
| Education (Edn) | 01 | 01 | 01 | 01 | 04[cite: 374] | |
| Meteorology (Met) | 01 | 01 | — | — | 02[cite: 374] | |
| GATE Score Entry (Technical) | Aeronautical Engineer Electronics {AE(L)} | 01 | 01 | 06 | 03 | 11[cite: 374] |
| Aeronautical Engineer Mechanical {AE(M)} | 01 | 01 | 02 | 01 | 05[cite: 374] | |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying Branch (223/28F) | 10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC (Men) & 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC (Men & Women)[cite: 374] | ||||
| Total Quantified Vacancies (Excl. NCC 10% Quota) | 20 | 11 | 177 | 76 | 284[cite: 374] | |
Special Reservations:
• Law (LLB) Graduates: 02 seats are reserved from Ground Duty (Non-Tech) vacancies for candidates holding a 3-year or 5-year professional LLB degree for Legal Duties in the IAF[cite: 375, 381, 400].
• NCC ‘C’ Certificate Holders: 10% of vacancies are reserved for NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate holders in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches[cite: 400].
• Law (LLB) Graduates: 02 seats are reserved from Ground Duty (Non-Tech) vacancies for candidates holding a 3-year or 5-year professional LLB degree for Legal Duties in the IAF[cite: 375, 381, 400].
• NCC ‘C’ Certificate Holders: 10% of vacancies are reserved for NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate holders in Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches[cite: 400].
Age Limit (As on 01 January 2028) & Marital Status
| Branch Name | Age Limit (As on 01 Jan 2028) | Required Date of Birth Window |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch (AFCAT & NCC Special Entry) | 20 to 24 Years (Relaxable up to 26 yrs for valid DGCA Commercial Pilot License holders)[cite: 375] | Born between 02 Jan 2004 to 01 Jan 2008 (both dates inclusive; up to 02 Jan 2002 for CPL holders)[cite: 375] |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) | 20 to 26 Years[cite: 375] | Born between 02 Jan 2002 to 01 Jan 2008 (both dates inclusive)[cite: 375] |
- Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course, and marriage is not permitted during training[cite: 375].
- Final Year Students: Candidates studying in their final year/semester with no present backlog are eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of completion of their final degree examinations by 30 November 2027[cite: 381].
Branch-Wise Educational Qualifications
Only candidates who have passed 12th standard in the 10+2 pattern are eligible to apply (candidates holding a Diploma in lieu of 10+2 are not eligible)[cite: 380]:
| Branch / Entry | Prescribed Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| 1. Flying Branch | Mandatory Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level AND a minimum 3-year Graduation Degree in any discipline OR 4-year BE/B.Tech degree OR cleared Sections A & B of AMIE/ASI[cite: 376]. |
| 2. Ground Duty (Technical) – AE(L) & AE(M) | Passed with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level AND minimum 4-year Graduation/Integrated PG degree in Engineering/Technology OR cleared Sections A & B of AMIE/ASI/IETE in notified Electronics/Computer/Electrical/Mechanical/Aerospace disciplines (M.Sc. Electronics with B.Sc. Physics is also eligible for AE(L))[cite: 376, 377, 378, 379]. |
| 3. GATE Score Entry – AE(L) & AE(M) | Completed B.E. / B.Tech in eligible engineering disciplines AND qualified in one of the 10 specified GATE subjects (CS & IT, DA, ECE, EE, IN, AE, ME, PI, XE, MT) with a valid GATE score declared between 01 Jan 2024 and 31 Dec 2027[cite: 379]. |
| 4. Weapon Systems (WS) Branch | Mandatory Maths and Physics at 10+2 level AND a 3-year Graduation Degree in any discipline OR 4-year B.E./B.Tech degree[cite: 379, 380]. |
| 5. Administration & Logistics | Passed 10+2 AND 3-year Graduate Degree in any discipline (or cleared Section A & B of AMIE/ASI)[cite: 380]. (3-year or 5-year professional LLB degree required for the 2 reserved Legal Duty seats[cite: 381]). |
| 6. Accounts Branch | Passed 10+2 AND Graduation in B.Com. (min 3 yrs) OR BBA / BMS / BBS / B.Sc. (with specialization in Finance) OR Qualified CA / CMA / CS / CFA[cite: 380]. |
| 7. Education Branch | Passed 10+2 AND Post-Graduation in any discipline (including integrated PG single degree) along with Graduation in any discipline[cite: 380]. |
| 8. Meteorology Branch | Passed 10+2 AND B.Sc. with Physics and Mathematics OR 4-year Engineering/Technology Degree in ECE, EEE, CSE, IT, Mechanical, or allied streams[cite: 380]. |
| 9. NCC Special Entry (Flying) | Same educational criteria as Flying Branch PLUS NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate acquired within 2 years preceding the registration date[cite: 376, 387, 391]. |
Application Fee, Exam Pattern & Selection Process
Application Fee
- AFCAT Entry (All Categories): ₹550/- + 18% GST (Non-refundable), payable online via Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI[cite: 384, 385, 386].
- NCC Special Entry & GATE Score Entry: NIL (Exempted from Fee)[cite: 384, 385, 386].
Selection Stages
1
Online AFCAT CBT100 Qs · 300 Marks · 2 Hours (31 Jan 2027)[cite: 391, 392]2
AFSB TestingStage-I (OIR & PPDT) & Stage-II (Psych, GTO, Interview & CPSS)[cite: 398]3
Medical & Final MeritCombined Written + AFSB Score & Medical Fitness[cite: 400]AFCAT Online Exam Pattern & Timings (31 Jan 2027)
| Exam Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Subjects Covered | General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning, and Military Aptitude Test[cite: 392] |
| Total Questions & Marks | 100 Objective Questions for 300 Marks (Medium: English Only)[cite: 392] |
| Exam Duration & Timing | 02 Hours (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Reporting Time: 08:00 AM, Last Entry: 09:00 AM)[cite: 391, 392] |
| Marking Scheme | +3 Marks for every correct answer | -1 Mark deducted for every wrong answer | 0 Marks for unattempted questions[cite: 392] |
Physical & Medical Standards (Height & Weight)
| Branch | Male Minimum Height | Female Minimum Height |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch (Pilots, FTE & WSO of Su-30 MKI) | 162 cm[cite: 405] | 162 cm[cite: 405] |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) | 157 cm[cite: 405] | 152 cm[cite: 405] |
- Height Relaxations (Ground Duty): Reduced by 02 cm for Lakshadweep candidates (155 cm Male, 150 cm Female) and by 05 cm for candidates from North-Eastern states, Gorkhas, and hilly regions of Uttarakhand (152 cm Male, 147 cm Female)[cite: 399, 405].
- Flying Branch Anthropometry: Sitting Height: 81.5 cm to 96.0 cm | Leg Length: 99.0 cm to 120.0 cm | Thigh Length: Max 64.0 cm | Minimum Nude Body Weight: 48 Kg prior to Stage-I flying training[cite: 382, 405].
- Chest Measurement (Males): Minimum 77 cm circumference with at least 05 cm expansion[cite: 405].
Exam Centres in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana & AFSB Venues
- Andhra Pradesh Exam Cities: Tirupati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam[cite: 396].
- Telangana Exam Cities: Hyderabad, Warangal[cite: 395, 396].
- AFSB Interview Centres (5 Boards): Dehradun (1 AFSB), Mysuru (2 AFSB), Gandhinagar (3 AFSB), Varanasi (4 AFSB), and Guwahati (5 AFSB)[cite: 396]. First-time AFSB attendees receive AC-III Tier / AC Chair Car / Bus travel allowance reimbursement[cite: 398].
How to Apply Online for AFCAT 01/2027 at afcat.edcil.co.in
- Visit the official AFCAT portal at https://afcat.edcil.co.in between 12 November 2026 (11:00 AM) and 11 December 2026 (11:30 PM)[cite: 374, 382].
- Step-I (Sign-Up): Register with your Full Name (strictly as per Class 10th certificate), active Email ID, and Mobile Number, and verify via OTP[cite: 383, 386].
- Step-II (Fill Application): Log in with your system-generated User ID and Password, select your Exam Category (AFCAT, NCC Special Entry, or GATE Score Entry), and fill in your personal, 10+2, and graduation details along with primary/secondary photo ID proof details[cite: 383, 386, 387].
- Select your Course Preferences and choose 5 Exam City Preferences[cite: 388, 390].
- Upload Scanned Files (JPG/JPEG format):
- Passport Photograph: 100 KB to 200 KB (file named
Passport Photograph.jpg)[cite: 383, 385]. - Signature (Black ink on white paper): 80 KB to 150 KB (file named
Signature.jpg)[cite: 383, 384, 385]. - Thumb Impression (Left thumb for Males, Right thumb for Females): 50 KB to 100 KB (file named
Thumb Impression.jpg)[cite: 384, 385]. - Live Image Capture: Capture a live photo via your webcam/mobile camera[cite: 390].
- Passport Photograph: 100 KB to 200 KB (file named
- Pay the online fee of ₹550 + 18% GST (if applying for AFCAT entry) and download the final submitted application PDF for future reference[cite: 384].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the apply online dates for AFCAT 01/2027? ▼
Online registration for AFCAT 01/2027 starts on 12 November 2026 (11:00 AM) and closes on 11 December 2026 (11:30 PM)[cite: 374].
When is the AFCAT 01/2027 written exam scheduled? ▼
The online AFCAT 01/2027 examination will be conducted on 31 January 2027 (Sunday) from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM[cite: 374, 391, 392]. Admit cards can be downloaded from 27 January 2027[cite: 385].
How many vacancies are announced in AFCAT 01/2027? ▼
A total of 284 quantified vacancies have been announced across Flying (36), Ground Duty Technical (124 via AFCAT + 16 via GATE), and Ground Duty Non-Technical (108), in addition to 10% seats for NCC Special Entry[cite: 374].
Can final year graduation students apply for AFCAT 01/2027? ▼
Yes, final year/semester students with no current backlog can apply, provided they can produce proof of passing their final degree examination by 30 November 2027[cite: 381].
What is the salary of a Flying Officer selected through AFCAT? ▼
Flight Cadets receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100/- per month during training, and upon commissioning as a Flying Officer, they are placed in Pay Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) plus Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500/- and branch allowances[cite: 401].