AFCAT 1 Apply Online 2027: Notification Out for 284 Vacancies

AFCAT 1 Apply Online 2027 registration has started for candidates seeking officer-level opportunities in the Indian Air Force. The IAF has announced 284 tentative vacancies for Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer posts in the Flying and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. The recruitment also includes NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. Candidates exploring other IAF opportunities can also check the details of IAF Agniveer Vayu Recruitment 2026.

Eligible candidates can fill out the AFCAT 01/2027 application form from 12 November 2026 (1100 Hrs) to 11 December 2026 (2330 Hrs). Candidates can visit the official AFCAT portal to register, complete the application form, upload the required documents and pay the applicable examination fee.

AFCAT 1 Apply Online 2027: Overview

The Indian Air Force conducts the Air Force Common Admission Test to select candidates for its Flying and Ground Duty branches. The AFCAT 01/2027 recruitment is for courses commencing in January 2028. Candidates can check the key recruitment details below.

AFCAT 1 Apply Online 2027: Direct Link

The Indian Air Force has activated the online application process for AFCAT 01/2027. Candidates can use the official links below to access the application portal and read the recruitment notification before submitting the form.

Candidates can submit their application forms through the official Indian Air Force recruitment portal. The online registration process begins on 12 November 2026 at 1100 Hrs and closes on 11 December 2026 at 2330 Hrs.

Apply Online for AFCAT 1 2027 (Official)

Candidates can also download the official recruitment notification to check the detailed eligibility requirements, branch-wise vacancies, examination guidelines and selection criteria.

Download AFCAT 1 Notification 2027 PDF

Candidates must read the official notification to check the branch-wise eligibility conditions, vacancy details, age limit, educational qualifications and selection guidelines before applying.

AFCAT 1 Application Dates 2027

The AFCAT 01/2027 application process will remain open until 11 December 2026. Candidates must complete the registration, application form and fee payment within the prescribed schedule.

How to Fill AFCAT 1 Application Form 2027?

Candidates can complete the AFCAT 1 application form 2027 through the official AFCAT portal. The application process includes registration, entering personal and educational details, uploading documents and paying the applicable fee.

Steps to Apply Online:

1. Visit the official AFCAT website at afcat.edcil.co.in.

2. Read the AFCAT 01/2027 notification and application instructions.

3. Select the AFCAT 01/2027 registration option.

4. Enter the required details, including your full name, mobile number and email ID.

5. Verify your mobile number and email ID using the OTPs received.

6. Submit the registration details to generate your application sequence number and password.

7. Log in to the portal and select the “Go to Application” option.

8. Fill in the personal, communication, qualification and course preference details.

9. Upload the required photograph, signature and thumb impression.

10. Preview the application form and verify all entered information.

11. Pay the applicable examination fee through the online payment gateway.

12. Submit the application form and save or print the completed application for future reference.

Important: Candidates must carefully check all details before final submission and payment. The application form cannot be edited after submission and successful payment.

Documents Required for AFCAT 1 Apply Online 2027

Candidates should keep the required information and scanned documents ready before starting the online application process. The official notification specifies the following requirements:

The photograph, signature and thumb impression must be uploaded in the prescribed format. Male candidates must upload their left thumb impression, while female candidates must upload their right thumb impression.

Candidates should also ensure that the email ID and mobile number remain active throughout the recruitment process, as important communication will be sent through these details.

AFCAT 1 Application Fee 2027

Candidates applying through AFCAT Entry must pay the prescribed non-refundable examination fee. NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry candidates are exempted from the application fee.

The examination fee can be paid online through the available payment gateway options, including debit cards, credit cards, net banking and UPI. Candidates should save their payment details for future reference.

AFCAT 1 Vacancy 2027

The Indian Air Force has announced 284 tentative vacancies under AFCAT 01/2027. These vacancies are distributed across the Flying, Ground Duty (Technical) and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches, including AFCAT Entry and GATE Score Entry.

Branch-Wise Vacancy Distribution

The vacancies are tentative and may change according to organisational requirements and the availability of training slots. NCC Special Entry vacancies are allocated as per the provisions mentioned in the official notification.

AFCAT 1 Eligibility Criteria 2027

Candidates applying for AFCAT 01/2027 must fulfil the nationality, age, marital status and educational qualification requirements prescribed by the Indian Air Force. The eligibility conditions vary according to the branch and entry.

Nationality

Candidates must be citizens of India as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.

Age Limit

The age limit for AFCAT 1 2027 is calculated as on 1 January 2028. The prescribed age criteria are given below.

The date ranges are inclusive of both dates. Candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) can receive the prescribed upper-age relaxation for the Flying Branch.

Marital Status

Candidates must be unmarried when the course commences. Marriage is not permitted during training. Candidates who marry during the training period may be discharged and required to refund the expenditure incurred by the Government.

Educational Qualification

The educational qualification depends on the branch and entry selected by the candidate.

Flying Branch

Candidates must have passed Class 12 with Mathematics and Physics and must fulfil any one of the following graduation requirements:

• A minimum three-year graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university.

• A four-year BE/B.Tech degree from a recognised university.

• Cleared Section A and B examinations of the Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India.

Ground Duty (Technical) Branch

Candidates must have passed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics. They must also hold the prescribed engineering or technology qualification for the relevant Aeronautical Engineer discipline.

• Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) – AE (L): Candidates must have a relevant four-year engineering or technology degree, an eligible integrated postgraduate qualification, or the prescribed alternative qualification. MSc Electronics with BSc Physics is also accepted under the conditions specified in the notification.

• Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) – AE (M): Candidates must have a relevant four-year engineering or technology degree or an eligible qualification through the prescribed professional examinations.

Candidates with an engineering background who are exploring other technical defence officer opportunities can also read about Indian Army SSC Tech Recruitment 2026.

GATE Score Entry

Candidates applying through GATE Score Entry must hold a BE/B.Tech degree in the prescribed disciplines and have a valid GATE score. The GATE result must have been declared between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2027. The accepted GATE subjects vary according to the AE (L) and AE (M) branches. For details about this entry route in an earlier AFCAT cycle, candidates can refer to the Indian Air Force GATE Score Entry recruitment update.

Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch

The educational requirements differ according to the selected branch:

• Weapon Systems: Class 12 with Mathematics and Physics, along with a minimum three-year graduation degree in any discipline or a four-year BE/B.Tech degree.

• Administration and Logistics: Class 12 and a minimum three-year graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or the prescribed equivalent qualification.

• Accounts: Class 12 and graduation in B.Com, BBA/BMS/BBS with Finance specialisation, CA, CMA, CS, CFA or B.Sc. with specialisation in Finance.

• Education: Class 12, graduation and postgraduate qualification in any discipline, subject to the conditions in the notification.

• Meteorology: Class 12 and B.Sc. with Physics and Mathematics or a four-year graduation degree in the prescribed engineering and technology disciplines.

NCC Special Entry

Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry must hold an NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate. The certificate must have been acquired within two years preceding the AFCAT registration date, as specified in the official notification.

Candidates interested in other officer-entry routes after Class 12 can also explore the Indian Army TES 57 application process.

Candidates should refer to the official notification for the complete list of accepted engineering disciplines, degree conditions and branch-wise eligibility requirements.

AFCAT 1 Selection Process 2027

The AFCAT 01/2027 selection process includes the online examination, Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing and medical examination. Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry and shortlisted GATE Score Entry candidates are called directly for AFSB testing, as applicable.

Online Examination

Candidates applying through AFCAT Entry must appear for the online examination. The examination includes objective-type questions from the following subjects:

• General Awareness

• Verbal Ability in English

• Numerical Ability

• Reasoning

• Military Aptitude Test

Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing

Candidates who qualify in the online examination are called for AFSB testing. NCC Special Entry candidates and shortlisted GATE Score Entry candidates are also called directly for AFSB testing.

The AFSB testing includes the following stages:

• Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT). Candidates who qualify the screening stage proceed to the next stage.

• Stage II: Psychological tests, group tests and personal interview. The Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) is conducted for eligible Flying Branch candidates.

Candidates can follow the AFCAT 2 Result 2026 update for information related to the previous cycle's result and progression to the AFSB stage.

Medical Examination

Candidates recommended by the AFSB must undergo the prescribed medical examination. Their medical fitness is assessed according to the standards and guidelines of the Indian Air Force.

Final Merit List

The Indian Air Force prepares the final merit list based on the marks obtained in the written examination and AFSB testing. Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in both stages. Final branch allocation depends on vacancies, merit position, medical fitness and the preferences submitted by candidates.

Candidates comparing officer-level opportunities across the defence services can also read about Indian Navy Officer Recruitment 2026.

AFCAT 1 Salary 2027

Candidates commissioned as Flying Officers in the Indian Air Force are placed in Pay Level 10 of the Defence Pay Matrix. The pay and Military Service Pay (MSP) details are given below.

In addition to the prescribed pay, commissioned officers may receive applicable allowances according to their branch, nature of duty and place of posting. These may include Flying Allowance, Transport Allowance, Technical Allowance and Risk and Hardship Allowance.

Candidates following other IAF recruitment cycles can also check the IAF MTS Recruitment 2026 update for information about non-officer vacancies.

For updates related to the Agniveervayu recruitment cycle, candidates can refer to the IAF Agniveervayu exam city intimation slip, Agniveervayu admit card 2026 and IAF Agniveer Vayu answer key 2026.