Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment: Apply Online for 284 Officer Vacancies, Check Eligibility, Age Limit and Exam Date

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official notification for AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment to select eligible Indian men and women for Group A Gazetted Officer positions in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. The recruitment notification also includes NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry for courses scheduled to begin in January 2028.

The online application process has started on 12 November 2026, and interested candidates can submit their application forms until 11 December 2026. Through this recruitment drive, the Indian Air Force has announced 284 vacancies under AFCAT and GATE Score Entry, while NCC Special Entry vacancies are allocated separately according to the prescribed rules. Candidates interested in serving the nation as commissioned officers should carefully review the educational qualifications, age requirements, selection procedure and other conditions before applying.

Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment Overview

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted by the Indian Air Force to recruit officers for different branches of the organisation. AFCAT 01/2027 offers opportunities for graduates and engineering candidates who want to build a career in the defence sector. Both male and female candidates can apply for the branches and commission types for which they meet the prescribed eligibility conditions.

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Important Dates for AFCAT 01/2027

Candidates should keep track of the important dates associated with the AFCAT 01/2027 application and examination process. The registration window is limited, so applicants are advised to complete their forms well before the closing date rather than waiting until the final hours.

Indian Air Force AFCAT Vacancy 2027 Details

The Indian Air Force has announced a total of 284 vacancies through AFCAT Entry and GATE Score Entry. These vacancies are distributed among the Flying Branch, Ground Duty Technical Branch and Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch. The notification provides separate vacancy details for male and female candidates under Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC).

The Flying Branch has 36 vacancies, including 28 positions for men and 8 for women under Short Service Commission. Ground Duty Technical and Non-Technical vacancies are further divided into different engineering and non-engineering specialisations. Candidates should check the official vacancy table carefully because the number of available positions varies by branch and commission category.

NCC Special Entry is also included in the notification. Its seats are calculated according to the prescribed percentage of vacancies under the relevant entries and should not be treated as a separate fixed number in the 284-vacancy total.

Educational Qualification for AFCAT 01/2027

The educational requirements depend on the branch selected by the applicant. Candidates must have completed the required qualification from a recognised university or institution and should meet the minimum percentage and subject conditions specified by the Indian Air Force.

Flying Branch: Applicants must have passed Class 12 with Mathematics and Physics, securing at least 50% marks in each subject. They must also hold a minimum three-year graduation degree in any discipline with at least 60% marks, or a recognised BE/BTech degree with at least 60% marks. Eligible equivalent qualifications mentioned in the official notification are also accepted.

Ground Duty Technical Branch: Candidates applying for Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) or Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) must satisfy the prescribed Class 12 Physics and Mathematics requirements and hold the relevant engineering or technology qualification. The notification lists eligible engineering disciplines and other accepted qualifications, so applicants should verify whether their degree specialisation is included.

Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch: The required qualification varies according to the selected post. Administration and Logistics candidates generally need a recognised graduation degree, while Accounts applicants must hold an eligible commerce, finance or professional qualification. Education and Meteorology branches have separate postgraduate, graduation and subject-specific requirements. Weapon Systems applicants must also meet the prescribed Mathematics, Physics and graduation conditions.

Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry for the Flying Branch must possess the required NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate. GATE Score Entry candidates must hold an eligible engineering degree and a valid qualifying GATE score in an accepted discipline.

AFCAT 01/2027 Age Limit

The age limit is different for Flying Branch and Ground Duty positions. The Indian Air Force calculates the age according to the prescribed date of 1 January 2028.

For the Flying Branch, candidates holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA may be eligible for an upper age limit of 26 years, subject to the official conditions.

Candidates must also fulfil the marital status requirements applicable at the time of commencement of training. The date of birth entered in the application must match the accepted educational certificate.

Application Fee for AFCAT 01/2027

Candidates applying through AFCAT Entry are required to pay an examination fee of ₹550 plus applicable GST. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online through the available payment gateway.

Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry are exempted from the AFCAT examination fee. Applicants should carefully select their entry category before completing the payment process.

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Selection Process for Indian Air Force AFCAT 2027

The selection procedure is designed to evaluate candidates’ academic ability, personality, leadership qualities, physical fitness and medical suitability. The stages differ slightly depending on the entry category.

For regular AFCAT Entry, candidates first appear for the online Computer-Based Examination. Those who qualify are called for the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing, which includes psychological assessments, group activities and personal interviews.

Flying Branch candidates must also qualify for the applicable Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) requirements. Candidates recommended by the selection board subsequently undergo the prescribed medical examination. Final selection is based on merit, eligibility, medical fitness and available vacancies.

NCC Special Entry candidates with the required certificate are exempted from the written AFCAT examination and are called directly for AFSB testing, subject to the prescribed conditions.

AFCAT 01/2027 Exam Pattern

The AFCAT online examination will be conducted in English and will consist of objective-type questions. Candidates will have two hours to complete the paper, which contains 100 questions carrying a maximum of 300 marks.

There is negative marking in the examination, with one mark deducted for every incorrect answer. Candidates should therefore prepare carefully and avoid random guessing. A balanced preparation strategy covering current affairs, English, mathematics, reasoning and military aptitude can help improve overall performance.

How to Apply Online for AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment

Eligible candidates can complete their applications through the official AFCAT portal. Before starting the registration process, applicants should keep their educational certificates, Aadhaar details, photograph, signature, active mobile number and email address ready.

First, visit the official AFCAT website and open the AFCAT 01/2027 application link. Register using your personal information and verify your registered mobile number and email address. After successful registration, log in to the portal and select the appropriate entry category.

Fill in the application form with accurate personal, educational and communication details. Select the eligible branch and enter the required information carefully. Upload the photograph, signature and supporting documents according to the instructions provided on the portal.

Candidates applying through AFCAT Entry must pay the prescribed examination fee. Before final submission, review the complete application form to identify any spelling mistakes or incorrect information. Once the application has been successfully submitted, download the confirmation page and keep a copy for future reference.

IMPORTANT LINKS

Important Instructions for Candidates

Candidates should read the complete AFCAT 01/2027 notification before submitting their applications. Meeting the basic educational requirements does not automatically guarantee eligibility, as branch-specific conditions, medical standards and other recruitment rules also apply.

Applicants should use their own active email address and mobile number because the Indian Air Force may communicate important recruitment updates through these channels. They should also ensure that the uploaded documents are clear and meet the required specifications.

The vacancies mentioned in the notification are tentative and may change according to organisational requirements. Candidates should regularly visit the official website for updates regarding admit cards, AFSB interviews, examination instructions and further recruitment stages.

Indian Air Force AFCAT Vacancy 2027 (FAQs)

Q1. When did AFCAT 01/2027 online applications start?

The Indian Air Force started accepting online applications for AFCAT 01/2027 on 12 November 2026.

Q2. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 01/2027?

The last date for submitting the online application form is 11 December 2026, up to 11:30 PM.

Q3. How many vacancies are available under AFCAT 01/2027?

There are 284 vacancies under AFCAT Entry and GATE Score Entry. NCC Special Entry vacancies are calculated separately according to the prescribed allocation rules.

Q4. What is the age limit for AFCAT 01/2027?

The age limit is 20 to 24 years for the Flying Branch and 20 to 26 years for Ground Duty Technical and Non-Technical branches, as on 1 January 2028, subject to the applicable conditions.

Q5. What is the AFCAT 01/2027 examination date?

The Indian Air Force has scheduled the AFCAT 01/2027 online examination for 31 January 2027.

Q6. What is the application fee for AFCAT 01/2027?

The AFCAT Entry examination fee is ₹550 plus GST. NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry applicants are exempted from this fee.

Q7. Where can candidates apply for AFCAT 01/2027?

Eligible candidates can register and submit their applications through the official AFCAT portal at afcat.edcil.co.in.

Conclusion

The Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 recruitment provides an opportunity for eligible graduates and engineering candidates to join the Flying and Ground Duty branches as commissioned officers. With 284 vacancies under AFCAT and GATE Score Entry, the recruitment offers opportunities for both male and female applicants who satisfy the prescribed eligibility requirements.

Candidates should check their branch-wise qualifications, age limit and medical standards before applying. Since the application window closes on 11 December 2026, interested applicants should complete the registration process on time and begin preparing for the examination scheduled for 31 January 2027.