
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the short notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2027. The recruitment drive invites eligible unmarried male and female candidates for commissioned officer positions in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.
The AFCAT 1 2027 application process will begin on November 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Interested candidates can submit their applications online until December 11, 2026, at 11:30 PM through the official AFCAT website.
Candidates who want to understand the previous recruitment cycle can also check the AFCAT 2 Result 2026 and AFSB selection details.
The recruitment also includes NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. Selected candidates will undergo training at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad, for courses commencing in January 2028.
Candidates preparing for Indian Air Force recruitment can check the important details of the AFCAT 01/2027 notification below.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2027 |
| Conducting Body | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Notification Status | Short Notification Released |
| Short Notice Release Date | November 2, 2026 |
| Branches | Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) |
| Entry Types | AFCAT, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Start Date | November 12, 2026 |
| Registration Start Time | 11:00 AM |
| Last Date to Apply | December 11, 2026 |
| Closing Time | 11:30 PM |
| Vacancies | To be confirmed in detailed notification |
| Exam Date | To be announced |
| Course Commencement | January 2028 |
| Official Website | https://afcat.edcil.co.in |
The Indian Air Force has announced the registration schedule for AFCAT 01/2027. Candidates should keep track of the following dates to avoid missing the application deadline.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| AFCAT 1 2027 Short Notice | November 2, 2026 |
| Detailed Notification | November 12, 2026 |
| Online Registration Begins | November 12, 2026 (11:00 AM) |
| Last Date for Registration | December 11, 2026 (11:30 PM) |
| AFCAT 1 2027 Exam Date | To be announced |
| Course Commencement | January 2028 |
Candidates can also refer to the AFCAT 2 2026 registration and application deadline update to understand the previous application cycle.
Note: The detailed notification will provide further information regarding vacancies, branch-wise eligibility, examination dates and other recruitment conditions.
The AFCAT 01/2027 recruitment covers the following entry routes:
AFCAT Entry
NCC Special Entry
GATE Score Entry
Through these entries, candidates can seek opportunities in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.
Candidates interested in the technical entry route can read about the Indian Air Force GATE Score Entry scheme for Technical Branch officer recruitment.
The short notice does not provide a confirmed branch-wise vacancy distribution. Candidates should refer to the detailed AFCAT 1 2027 notification for the final vacancy details.
Candidates must fulfil the educational qualification, age limit, marital status and other conditions prescribed by the Indian Air Force.
The detailed notification scheduled for November 12, 2026, should be treated as the final reference for the AFCAT 01/2027 eligibility criteria.
The general educational requirements for different AFCAT branches include:
1. Flying Branch
Candidates must have passed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics.
They must hold a minimum three-year graduation degree or an eligible BE/BTech qualification.
The prescribed minimum marks and other conditions must be fulfilled.
2. Ground Duty (Technical)
Candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics in Class 12.
An eligible four-year engineering or technology qualification is required.
The accepted engineering disciplines and minimum marks will be specified in the detailed notification.
3. Ground Duty (Non-Technical)
Educational qualifications vary according to the selected specialisation.
Administration and Logistics generally require a recognised graduation degree.
Accounts requires the prescribed commerce, finance or professional qualification.
Education and Meteorology have specific postgraduate or science-related qualification requirements.
Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry must also satisfy the respective entry-specific conditions.
The exact age criteria and date-of-birth requirements should be checked in the detailed notification. Candidates must verify their eligibility separately for the Flying and Ground Duty branches.
Candidates must fulfil the marital status conditions specified by the Indian Air Force. The prescribed conditions applicable during training and commissioning must also be followed.
The Indian Air Force follows a multi-stage selection process to evaluate candidates for commissioned officer positions.
The selection stages generally include:
Online Examination: Eligible AFCAT Entry candidates appear for the computer-based examination. Ground Duty Technical candidates must also meet the applicable EKT requirements.
AFSB Testing: Candidates qualifying for the next stage are called for Air Force Selection Board testing, which assesses their suitability for officer-level responsibilities.
Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by the AFSB undergo medical examinations as per Indian Air Force standards.
Final Merit List: The final selection is based on the prescribed merit criteria, medical fitness and available vacancies.
Candidates can also read about the AFCAT 1 Result 2026 and AFSB interview process to understand the subsequent stages of selection.
The AFCAT 1 2027 online application window will open on November 12, 2026. Eligible candidates can follow these general steps after the application link becomes active:
Visit the official website at https://afcat.edcil.co.in.
Open the AFCAT 01/2027 application or candidate registration section.
Complete the registration using the required personal and contact details.
Log in using the generated credentials.
Fill in the application form with the required educational and other information.
Upload the documents and photograph in the prescribed format.
Pay the applicable examination fee, if required for the selected entry.
Review the information and submit the application.
Download and save the submitted application confirmation for future reference.
Candidates should carefully verify all details before submitting the form. For another Indian Air Force application-related reference, candidates can check the AFCAT 2 2026 city intimation slip and candidate login update.
Candidates selected through AFCAT undergo training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad.
Flight Cadets receive a fixed monthly stipend of ₹56,100 during their training period, subject to the applicable service rules.
After successful commissioning, officers are placed in Pay Level 10, with a basic pay ranging from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500. Military Service Pay (MSP) and other applicable allowances are provided as per Indian Air Force rules.
