AFCAT 01/2027 Apply Online: Flying, Ground Duty Technical & Non-Technical, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry Explained
If you dream of wearing the Air Force blue, this is your chance. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has invited men and women to join as commissioned officers in the Flying Branch and the Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches through AFCAT 01/2027. Two more doors are open too: the NCC Special Entry (Flying) and the GATE Score Entry (Ground Duty Technical). Courses begin in January 2028, and officers start at Pay Level 10.
Online registration opens on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM and closes on 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM. This is a short newspaper notice, so the number of vacancies, the educational qualification and the selection details are in the detailed notification on the official website. Read this guide fully, then check Defence Jobs on GovtJobsAlert.in for more updates.
Key Highlights – IAF AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment
The Indian Air Force offers Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC) to Indian citizens as per the Citizenship Act 1955. Training for every course begins at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad).
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Entries | AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry, GATE Score Entry |
| Branches | Flying; Ground Duty (Technical); Ground Duty (Non-Technical) |
| Total Vacancies | Not printed in this notice. Shown as “as published in Notification for induction cycle 01/2027” |
| Pay | Flying Officer: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (Level 10) |
| Courses Commence | January 2028 |
| Apply Mode | Online, on the official AFCAT website |
| Registration Window | 12 Nov 2026 (11:00 AM) to 11 Dec 2026 (11:30 PM) |
What are the Vacancy and Course Details for AFCAT 01/2027?
No vacancy figure is printed anywhere in the notice. Do not trust any number you see elsewhere until the detailed notification shows it. Two seats are reserved from the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vacancies for Law qualified candidates.
| Entry | Branch and Course Number | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT | Flying: 223/28F/SSC/M&W | As published in Notification for induction cycle 01/2027 |
| AFCAT | Ground Duty (Technical): 222/28T/PC/112AEC/M&W and 222/28T/SSC/112AEC/M&W | As published in Notification for induction cycle 01/2027 |
| AFCAT | Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Adm, Lgs, Accts, Edn, Met: 222/28G/SSC/M&W | As published in Notification for induction cycle 01/2027 |
| AFCAT | Ground Duty (Non-Technical) WS: 222/28G/PC/M&W and 222/28G/SSC/M&W | As published in Notification for induction cycle 01/2027 |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying: 223/28F/PC/M (Men) and 223/28F/SSC/M&W | 10% of CDSE vacancies for PC; 10% of AFCAT vacancies for SSC |
| GATE Score Entry | Ground Duty (Technical): 222/28T/PC/112AEC/M&W and 222/28T/SSC/112AEC/M&W | As published in Notification for induction cycle 01/2027 |
The notice prints branch names as short forms (Adm, Lgs, Accts, Edn, Met, WS) and does not expand them. In course numbers, M&W means Men and Women. Vacancies are subject to change without notice. The actual intake depends on organisational needs, cadre control, training slots and the vacancies that arise in January 2028. The IAF will not entertain any representation on this.
Type of Commission: PC and SSC
| Commission | What the notice says |
|---|---|
| Permanent Commission (PC), Men and Women | Officers serve till the age of superannuation in their branch, as per rank |
| SSC, Flying Branch | Engagement of 14 years from the date of commissioning |
| SSC, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) | Initial tenure of 10 years; an extension of 4 years may be granted, subject to requirements, vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit |
| Grant of PC later | Considered subject to service requirements, vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit |
| Pension | SSC officers are not entitled to pension |
What is the Eligibility for AFCAT 01/2027?
Educational Qualification and Physical Standards
The short notice does not print the educational qualification or the physical and medical standards; it says both are as per the detailed notification on the website. As per the previous cycle (AFCAT 02/2026), the qualifications were as below. Confirm them in the detailed notification for this cycle before you apply.
| Branch | Qualification (as per previous cycle) |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 10+2 with Physics and Maths, and any 3-year graduation, or BE/B.Tech, with minimum 60% marks (or AMIE Sections A and B with 60%) |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 10+2 with Physics and Maths, and BE/B.Tech with minimum 60% marks in the listed engineering disciplines (Aeronautical Engineer Electronics or Mechanical) |
| Weapon Systems, Administration, Logistics | 10+2 and any 3-year graduation with minimum 60% marks, or BE/B.Tech |
| Accounts | 10+2 and B.Com or BBA (Finance) with minimum 60% marks, or CA, CMA, CS or CFA |
| Education | 10+2 and post graduation with minimum 50% marks, and 60% marks at graduation |
| Meteorology | 10+2 and B.Sc with Physics and Maths (or engineering degree) with minimum 60% marks |
| GATE Score Entry | BE/B.Tech in the listed disciplines and a valid GATE score |
Physical and medical standards are as per the detailed notification. Final-year students could apply provisionally in the previous cycle, subject to producing certificates before training; check whether the same applies now.
Age Limit
The age limits below are in years, and the exact cut-off date is given in the detailed notification.
| Entry / Branch | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 years |
| Flying Branch, holder of a valid and current DGCA (India) Commercial Pilot Licence | Up to 26 years |
| AFCAT, all Ground Duty branches | 20 to 26 years |
| GATE Score Entry, Ground Duty (Technical) | 20 to 26 years |
| NCC Special Entry (Flying Branch) | No separate limit printed; the Flying Branch limit above applies |
The notice lists no category-wise age relaxation. Check your exact age with our tool below.
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age and check whether you are within the age limit. →
Conditions Every Candidate Must Know
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Indian citizens as per the Citizenship Act 1955; men and women can apply |
| Aadhaar | Aadhaar Card is mandatory for registration |
| PAN and bank account | PAN Card and an account in SBI or a nationalised bank are mandatory at the time of joining the Academy |
| Marital status | Must be unmarried when the course starts. Marriage is not allowed during training; a candidate who marries is discharged and must refund all expenditure the Government incurred |
| Tattoos | Permanent tattoos are not allowed on any body part except the inner forearm (elbow to wrist) and the back of both hands, for which a self-declaration certificate is signed. Small harmless tattoos such as religious symbols or names of loved ones are allowed. Tribal tattoo marks are considered case by case |
| Drugs | Use or possession of narcotics is banned. You may be tested during medicals and training; if found using or holding them during training, you will be debarred from joining the IAF |
| Unfair means | Trying to influence selection, forgery, impersonation or false information can lead to termination of candidature, service action and legal action |
What is the Salary for AFCAT 01/2027 Officers?
On commissioning, a Flying Officer gets pay as per the Defence Matrix at Level 10, with Military Service Pay (MSP) on top.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pay (Defence Matrix, Level 10) | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹15,500 |
| Flight Cadet stipend during training | ₹56,100 per month (fixed) |
Allowances are paid on commissioning, depending on branch, duty and place of posting. The notice names Flying, Transport, Technical, Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer, and Risk and Hardship allowances. Officers also get furnished accommodation, medical cover for self and dependents, canteen and Officers’ Mess, loans at subsidised rates, LTC, and leave of 60 days annual and 20 days casual, subject to service needs. The IAF also offers sports and adventure activities such as sky diving, micro light flying and mountaineering.
Insurance is mandatory through the Air Force Group Insurance Society, presently ₹1.25 crore (on contribution) for death in service. PC officers who retire after 20 or more years, and SSC officers who complete 14 years, get Air Veterans Insurance Cover of ₹24 lakh for 15 years, then ₹12 lakh till age 75.
What is the Selection Process for AFCAT 01/2027?
The notice gives only a sketch. As per the previous cycle (AFCAT 02/2026), selection had the stages below; the full stages and exam pattern for this cycle are in the detailed notification. Once you know the pattern, plan your revision with our syllabus page.
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Online AFCAT test | Computer-based test of 100 questions and 300 marks in 2 hours, in English only. Subjects: General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude. Marking was +3 for a correct answer and -1 for a wrong one (previous cycle) |
| AFSB testing | A 5 to 6 day Air Force Selection Board process with Stage-I (Officer Intelligence Rating, Picture Perception and Discussion test) and Stage-II (psychological tests, group tasks, personal interview) (previous cycle) |
| CPSS (Flying Branch only) | Computerised Pilot Selection System for Flying Branch candidates (previous cycle) |
| Medical examination | Medical examination as per IAF standards (previous cycle) |
| Final merit list | Prepared on the basis of marks in AFCAT and AFSB (previous cycle). AFSB centres, dates and merit list queries go to the IAF helpline |
| Training (after selection) | 74 weeks for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical); 50 weeks for Ground Duty (Non-Technical). Starts the first week of January 2028 |
Travel allowance is paid to candidates appearing before the AFSB for the first time: AC-III Tier or AC Chair Car fare by the shortest route, or the actual bus fare. No TA is admissible if you have already appeared for the same type of entry at any Selection Board. Give an active savings account in your own name; accounts like Sukanya Samridhi are not accepted. Claims are considered only within one month from the start of SSB. Stay physically fit for the SSB tests and for running, swimming and rope climbing in training. Our preparation strategy page can help.
How to Apply Online for AFCAT 01/2027?
The application window has not opened yet. Keep your Aadhaar and a working email and mobile number ready.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | From 12 November 2026 (11:00 AM), open the official AFCAT website (link in Essential Links below) |
| 2 | Choose the separate tab for AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry |
| 3 | Register with your Aadhaar and your own unique email ID and mobile number |
| 4 | Fill in the form. Take great care with your date of birth, because no changes are allowed after submission |
| 5 | AFCAT Entry only: pay ₹550 + GST. NCC and GATE entries pay no examination fee |
| 6 | Submit before the window closes on 11 December 2026 (11:30 PM) |
If you qualify for more than one entry, register separately in each entry. Keep the same email ID and mobile number active throughout the selection process.
What are the Important Dates for AFCAT 01/2027?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online registration opens | 12 November 2026, 11:00 AM |
| Last date to apply | 11 December 2026, 11:30 PM |
| Training begins | First week of January 2028 |
| Exam, AFSB and result dates | Not printed in this notice |
What is the Application Fee for AFCAT 01/2027?
| Entry | Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | ₹550 + GST (non-refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry | No examination fee |
| GATE Score Entry | No examination fee |
The notice says details of the exam, centres and the mode of payment are in the detailed notification.
AFCAT 01/2027 Essential Links
- Download Official AFCAT 01/2027 Notification PDF
- Visit AFCAT 01 Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
Start preparing now, because the form opens on 12 November and shuts on 11 December 2026. Read the detailed notification, check your branch, age and qualification, and apply early. The IAF says selection is fair and merit based, so trust your own work. Browse more engineering government jobs and keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for every update.