The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the short notice for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2027, including NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry, for courses commencing in January 2028. The recruitment offers 379 commissioned officer posts across the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches, and online applications will open on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM and close on 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM on the official portal, afcat.edcil.co.in.
Please note: the figure of 379 posts is reported by recruitment portals — the short notice does not publish the branch-wise vacancy distribution. The branch-wise split, the exact eligibility conditions and the exam date will be given in the detailed notification.
Key Details
| Organisation | Indian Air Force (IAF), Ministry of Defence |
| Examination | AFCAT 01/2027, NCC Special Entry, GATE Score Entry |
| Advertisement No. | CBC 10801/11/0018/2627 |
| Total vacancies | 379 (reported; to be confirmed in the detailed notification) |
| Applications open | 12 November 2026, 11:00 AM |
| Last date to apply | 11 December 2026, 11:30 PM |
| Course commences | January 2028, Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad |
| Apply at | afcat.edcil.co.in |
Branches and Entries
| AFCAT — Flying Branch | Short Service Commission (men and women), Course 223/28F/SSC/M&W |
| AFCAT — Ground Duty (Technical) | Permanent and Short Service Commission, Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics and Mechanical), Course 222/28T |
| AFCAT — Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | Short Service Commission — Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology, Course 222/28G/SSC/M&W |
| AFCAT — Weapon Systems Branch | Permanent and Short Service Commission, Course 222/28G |
| NCC Special Entry — Flying Branch | 10 per cent of CDSE vacancies for Permanent Commission and 10 per cent of AFCAT vacancies for Short Service Commission |
| GATE Score Entry — Ground Duty (Technical) | Same courses as the AFCAT Technical entry |
Two seats from the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vacancies are reserved for Law-qualified candidates.
Eligibility
For the Flying Branch, candidates must have passed 10+2 with at least 50 per cent marks each in Physics and Mathematics, and hold a three-year graduation degree in any discipline with at least 60 per cent marks, or a four-year BE/B.Tech degree with 60 per cent marks, or have cleared Sections A and B of the Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers (India) or the Aeronautical Society of India with 60 per cent marks. For Ground Duty (Technical), candidates need 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics and a four-year degree in Engineering or Technology (Computer Science, Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical, Aeronautical and related streams) with at least 60 per cent marks. For Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Administration and Logistics, graduation in any discipline with 60 per cent marks or a BE/B.Tech with 60 per cent marks is required. The Accounts branch needs B.Com or BBA (Finance) with 60 per cent marks, or a CA/CMA/CS/CFA qualification. Education and Meteorology need a post-graduation in the relevant subject. The Weapon Systems branch needs graduation with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a BE/B.Tech. Final-year students with no backlog may apply if they can produce proof of completing the degree by the prescribed date. The exact conditions should be checked in the detailed notification — the conditions above follow the consistent pattern of recent AFCAT cycles.
Age Limit (as on 1 January 2028)
| Branch | Age Limit | Born Between |
| Flying Branch | 20–24 years | 2 January 2004 – 1 January 2008 |
| Flying Branch (valid current DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders) | Up to 26 years | 2 January 2002 – 1 January 2008 |
| Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical), including GATE Score Entry | 20–26 years | 2 January 2002 – 1 January 2008 |
There is no further age relaxation for SC, ST or OBC candidates under AFCAT rules. Candidates must be unmarried at the commencement of the course.
Application Fee
| Entry | Fee |
| AFCAT Entry | Rs 550 plus GST (non-refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry | Nil |
| GATE Score Entry | Nil |
The fee must be paid online through credit card, debit card, net banking or UPI. Separate registration is mandatory if a candidate wishes to apply under more than one entry (AFCAT, NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry).
Selection Process
Selection is multi-stage. Stage 1 is the AFCAT online examination, with the Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) additionally for Ground Duty (Technical) candidates. NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry candidates are exempted from the written examination and are called directly for AFSB testing. Stage 2 is Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing at Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar or Varanasi: Stage I consists of the Officer Intelligence Rating Test and the Picture Perception and Discussion Test, and candidates who clear Stage I undergo Stage II, which includes Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officer Tasks and a Personal Interview. Stage 3 is the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) for Flying Branch candidates. Stage 4 is a Medical Examination, with strict standards especially for the Flying Branch. A final All India Merit List is prepared on the basis of performance in the written test and AFSB, subject to medical fitness and availability of vacancies.
Pay and Benefits
Selected candidates join as Flying Officers under the Defence Pay Matrix: Level 10, Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500, plus Military Service Pay of Rs 15,500 per month. During training at the Air Force Academy, Flight Cadets are paid a fixed stipend of Rs 56,100 per month. Officers also receive Flying Allowance or Technical Allowance as applicable, Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance or furnished accommodation, comprehensive medical cover for self and family, canteen facilities and Leave Travel Concession.
How to Apply
- Visit afcat.edcil.co.in and click on “Apply Online”.
- Complete the new registration with your name, mobile number and email ID.
- Choose the entry — AFCAT, NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry (register separately for each entry you apply under).
- Select the branch and course options, and fill in your personal and educational details.
- Upload your photograph, signature and required documents.
- Pay the fee online (AFCAT Entry only) and submit the form. Keep a copy of the submitted application.
- Read the detailed notification as soon as it is released — branch-wise vacancies, exact eligibility and the exam date will be given in it.
Important Links
- Apply Online: https://afcat.edcil.co.in
- Read the official notification before applying — the detailed notification will be published on the same portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many posts are there in AFCAT 01/2027?
A total of 379 posts has been reported across the Flying and Ground Duty branches. The branch-wise distribution will be confirmed in the detailed notification.
2. When can I apply?
Online applications open on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM and close on 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM on afcat.edcil.co.in.
3. What is the application fee?
Rs 550 plus GST for AFCAT Entry; there is no fee for NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry.
4. What is the age limit?
As on 1 January 2028, the Flying Branch age limit is 20 to 24 years and Ground Duty branches is 20 to 26 years. Commercial Pilot Licence holders get relaxation up to 26 years for Flying.
5. Can final-year students apply?
Yes, if they have no backlog and can produce proof of completing the degree by the prescribed date.
6. What is the selection process?
AFCAT online exam (plus EKT for Technical), AFSB testing, CPSS for Flying, then a medical examination and a final merit list.
7. What is the salary?
Flying Officer, Level 10, Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500 plus Military Service Pay of Rs 15,500 per month; a stipend of Rs 56,100 per month during training.
8. When does the course start?
In January 2028 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad.
Next Action
Apply online at afcat.edcil.co.in between 12 November and 11 December 2026, and read the detailed notification on the same portal as soon as it is released.
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