AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment 2026
AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for Indian Air Force Officer Posts
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the official notification for Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2027. Through this recruitment, eligible unmarried Indian men and women can apply for Commissioned Officer positions in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.
The recruitment includes AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. The courses are scheduled to commence in January 2028. Interested candidates can submit their online applications from 12 November 2026 to 11 December 2026.
1. AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment 2026 – Overview
Particulars | Details |
Organisation | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
Examination Name | AFCAT 01/2027 |
Advertisement | AFCAT 01/2027 |
Post Name | Commissioned Officer |
Total Vacancies | 284 (tentative) |
Branches | Flying, Ground Duty Technical & Non-Technical |
Entry Type | AFCAT, NCC & GATE |
Commission | Permanent Commission / Short Service Commission |
Application Mode | Online |
Application Start Date | 12 November 2026 |
Last Date | 11 December 2026 |
Exam Date | 31 January 2027 |
Course Commencement | January 2028 |
Job Location | Across India |
Official Website |
2. Important Dates
Event | Date |
Official Notification | 11 November 2026 |
Online Application Start | 12 November 2026 |
Last Date to Apply | 11 December 2026 |
AFCAT 01/2027 Exam | 31 January 2027 |
Admit Card | To be announced |
AFSB Interview | To be announced |
Course Commencement | January 2028 |
Application timing: 12 November 2026, 11:00 AM to 11 December 2026, 11:30 PM.
3. Vacancy Details – AFCAT 01/2027
The Indian Air Force has announced vacancies across Flying and Ground Duty branches.
Branch | Entry |
Flying Branch | AFCAT / NCC Special Entry |
Ground Duty Technical | Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) – AE(L) |
Ground Duty Technical | Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) – AE(M) |
Ground Duty Non-Technical | Weapon Systems |
Ground Duty Non-Technical | Administration |
Ground Duty Non-Technical | Logistics |
Ground Duty Non-Technical | Accounts |
Ground Duty Non-Technical | Education |
Ground Duty Non-Technical | Meteorology |
Branch-Wise Vacancy Distribution
Branch | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) |
Flying | – | – | 28 | 8 |
Ground Duty Technical | 13 | 4 | 72 | 35 |
Ground Duty Non-Technical | 5 | 5 | 69 | 29 |
Total | 18 | 9 | 169 | 72 |
The above table represents AFCAT entry vacancies. NCC and GATE entries have separate vacancy provisions. Vacancies are tentative and subject to change.
4. Educational Qualification – AFCAT 01/2027
Candidates must possess the required educational qualifications for their preferred branch.
A. Flying Branch
Passed Class 12th with Mathematics and Physics, securing a minimum of 50% marks in each subject.
Graduation of at least three years in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks.
OR BE/B.Tech degree with a minimum of 60% marks.
Eligible AMIE or Aeronautical Society of India qualifications are also accepted as specified in the notification.
B. Ground Duty Technical Branch
1. Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) – AE(L)
Passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, securing at least 50% marks in each.
Minimum four-year Engineering/Technology degree or eligible integrated postgraduate qualification with at least 60% marks.
Eligible disciplines include Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Communication Engineering, Instrumentation and related notified subjects.
Certain specified MSc Electronics qualifications with BSc Physics are also eligible.
2. Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) – AE(M)
Passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, securing at least 50% marks in each.
Minimum four-year Engineering/Technology degree or eligible integrated postgraduate qualification with at least 60% marks.
Eligible disciplines include Mechanical, Aeronautical, Aerospace, Production, Industrial and related engineering subjects.
C. Ground Duty Non-Technical Branch
Branch | Educational Qualification |
Weapon Systems | 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics (50% each) and graduation with 60% marks |
Administration | Graduation with minimum 60% marks |
Logistics | Graduation with minimum 60% marks |
Accounts | |
Education | Graduation and Post Graduation with prescribed marks |
Meteorology | B.Sc with Physics and Mathematics or eligible four-year Engineering degree |
Important: The minimum percentage, accepted degree combinations and subject requirements must be checked against the detailed official notification.
5. Age Limit – AFCAT 01/2027
The age will be calculated as on 01 January 2028.
Branch | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
Flying Branch | 20 Years | 24 Years |
Flying Branch (Valid CPL holders) | 20 Years | 26 Years |
Ground Duty Technical | 20 Years | 26 Years |
Ground Duty Non-Technical | 20 Years | 26 Years |
Date of Birth Criteria
Branch | Date of Birth |
Flying Branch | 02 January 2004 to 01 January 2008 |
Flying Branch with eligible CPL | 02 January 2002 to 01 January 2008 |
Ground Duty | 02 January 2002 to 01 January 2008 |
Marital Status
Candidates must be unmarried at the commencement of the course.
Marriage is not permitted during training.
Candidates who marry during training may be discharged under the applicable rules.
6. Application Fee
Entry | Application Fee |
AFCAT Entry | ₹550 + GST |
NCC Special Entry | No Fee |
GATE Score Entry | No Fee |
Payment Mode: Credit Card, Debit Card and Net Banking.
The AFCAT examination fee is non-refundable.
7. Salary – Indian Air Force Officer 2027
Candidates selected through AFCAT 01/2027 will be commissioned as officers in the Indian Air Force.
Particulars | Salary |
Rank | Flying Officer |
Pay Level | Level 10 |
Basic Pay | ₹56,100 |
Maximum Pay in Level | ₹1,77,500 |
Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹15,500 |
Training Stipend | ₹56,100 per month |
Additional Allowances
Officers may receive applicable allowances depending on their branch and posting:
Flying Allowance
Technical Allowance
Transport Allowance
Risk and Hardship Allowance
Other admissible allowances
The actual monthly salary will depend on applicable allowances, deductions and posting.
8. Selection Process
The AFCAT 01/2027 selection process consists of the following stages:
Online AFCAT Examination
Written examination for candidates applying through AFCAT Entry.
AFSB Interview
Officer Intelligence Rating Test, psychological tests, group tasks and personal interview.
Medical Examination
Medical fitness assessment according to Indian Air Force standards.
Final Merit List
Selection based on performance, eligibility, medical fitness and vacancies.
Training
Successful candidates join the Air Force Academy according to their allotted branch.
NCC Special Entry: Eligible candidates with the required NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' Certificate are exempted from the written AFCAT examination and are called directly for AFSB testing.
9. AFCAT 01/2027 Exam Pattern
300 Marks
Particulars | Details |
Examination Mode | Online |
Question Type | Objective |
Total Questions | 100 |
Total Marks | 300 |
Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
Language | English |
Correct Answer | +3 Marks |
Incorrect Answer | -1 Mark |
Unattempted Question | 0 Marks |
Subject-Wise Examination Details
Subject | Questions |
General Awareness | Included |
Verbal Ability in English | Included |
Numerical Ability | Included |
Reasoning | Included |
Military Aptitude Test | Included |
Total | 100 |
The notification does not prescribe a fixed subject-wise question distribution.
10. AFCAT Syllabus 2027 – Subject-Wise Details
A. General Awareness
History of India
Indian Geography
Indian Polity
Indian Economy
Sports
Art and Culture
National and International Organisations
Environment and Ecology
Science and Technology
Defence-related Knowledge
National and International Current Affairs
B. English Language
Reading Comprehension
Error Detection
Sentence Completion
Synonyms and Antonyms
Cloze Test
Fill in the Blanks
Idioms and Phrases
Analogy
Sentence Rearrangement
One Word Substitution
Homonyms
C. Numerical Ability
Number System
Percentage
Average
Ratio and Proportion
Profit and Loss
Simple and Compound Interest
Time and Work
Time, Speed and Distance
HCF and LCM
Probability
Mensuration
Statistics
Decimal Fractions
Mixture and Allegation
Square and Cube Roots
D. Reasoning and Military Aptitude
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Figure Classification
Pattern Recognition
Spatial Ability
Logical Reasoning
Note: Numerical Ability is based on the Matriculation level, while other subjects follow the standards specified in the official notification.
11. Physical and Medical Standards
Candidates must satisfy the physical and medical standards prescribed by the Indian Air Force.
Physical Fitness Preparation
Candidates are advised to maintain good physical fitness before joining training.
Suggested fitness routine mentioned in the notification:
Activity | Recommended Standard |
Running | Up to 4 km in 15 minutes |
Push-ups | Minimum 20 |
Sit-ups | Minimum 20 |
Chin-ups | 8 |
Rope Climbing | 3–4 metres |
Swimming | 25 metres |
Medical Examination
Height and weight requirements.
Vision and eyesight standards.
Hearing standards.
General physical fitness.
Medical examination according to the branch.
Other prescribed medical conditions.
Flying Branch candidates must meet the specific flying medical standards. Candidates should read the medical standards appendix in the official notification.
12. Types of Commission
The Indian Air Force offers Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission opportunities.
Commission | Details |
Permanent Commission (PC) | Service until the age of superannuation, subject to applicable rules |
Short Service Commission – Flying | 14 years |
Short Service Commission – Ground Duty | Initial 10 years, with possible extension of 4 years |
The possibility of conversion from SSC to PC is subject to service requirements, vacancies, suitability and applicable policies.
13. How to Apply Online for AFCAT 01/2027?
Candidates can follow these steps to submit their online application.
Visit the official AFCAT application website.
Click on the AFCAT 01/2027 registration link.
Complete registration using your name, mobile number and email ID.
Verify your mobile number and email through OTP.
Log in using your registration credentials.
Select the appropriate entry: AFCAT, NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry.
Enter personal, educational and other required details.
Upload your photograph, signature and thumb impression.
Review the application form carefully.
Pay the examination fee, if applicable.
Submit the application form.
Download and print the final application confirmation.
Important: The notification states that corrections cannot be made after successful payment. Carefully verify all information before final submission.
14. Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready:
Class 10th Marksheet and Certificate
Class 12th Marksheet and Certificate
Graduation Marksheet and Degree
Engineering Degree Certificate, if applicable
Postgraduate Degree, if applicable
NCC Air Wing 'C' Certificate, for NCC entry
Valid GATE Score details, for GATE entry
Aadhaar Card
Recent Passport-Size Photograph
Scanned Signature
Thumb Impression
Valid Email ID
Active Mobile Number
15. Important Links – AFCAT 01/2027
Description | Direct Link |
Official Notification PDF | |
Apply Online | |
Official IAF Website | |
AFCAT Notification Page | |
Medical Standards |
16. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment 2026?
AFCAT 01/2027 is an Indian Air Force recruitment examination for selecting Commissioned Officers in Flying and Ground Duty branches.
Q2. How many vacancies are available in AFCAT 01/2027?
A total of 284 vacancies are reported, including the AFCAT and GATE entry vacancies. NCC entry has separate percentage-based provisions. Vacancies are tentative.
Q3. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
The last date for online applications is 11 December 2026, up to 11:30 PM.
Q4. What is the AFCAT 01/2027 examination date?
The online examination is scheduled for 31 January 2027.
Q5. What is the age limit for AFCAT Flying Branch?
The age limit is 20 to 24 years as on 01 January 2028. Eligible CPL holders can apply up to 26 years.
Q6. What is the age limit for Ground Duty branches?
The age limit is 20 to 26 years as on 01 January 2028.
Q7. Can female candidates apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
Yes. Eligible unmarried male and female Indian citizens can apply for the notified branches and entries.
Q8. What is the AFCAT application fee?
The examination fee is ₹550 plus GST for AFCAT Entry. NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry are exempted from this fee.
Q9. What is the salary of an AFCAT Flying Officer?
The Flying Officer receives Level 10 pay of ₹56,100–₹1,77,500, along with Military Service Pay of ₹15,500 and applicable allowances.
Q10. Is AFCAT examination conducted online or offline?
The AFCAT examination is conducted online as a computer-based objective examination.
Q11. Is there negative marking in AFCAT?
Yes. Three marks are awarded for each correct answer and one mark is deducted for each incorrect answer.
Q12. When will AFCAT 01/2027 courses commence?
The courses are scheduled to commence in January 2028.
17. Conclusion
AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment 2026 is an excellent opportunity for eligible graduates and engineering candidates who wish to serve the nation as Commissioned Officers in the Indian Air Force. Candidates can apply for Flying, Ground Duty Technical and Ground Duty Non-Technical branches through the available entry schemes.
Interested candidates should carefully check their educational qualifications, age limits, medical standards and branch preferences before submitting their applications. Complete the online application before 11 December 2026 and begin preparing for the AFCAT examination scheduled for 31 January 2027.
Important Recruitment Information
Application Deadline - 11 December 2026
Examination Date - 31 January 2027
Total Vacancies - 284 (Tentative)
Disclaimer: This article is prepared using the Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 official notification. Candidates must refer to the original notification for complete eligibility, vacancy and medical requirements.
AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment 2026
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