AFCAT 2027: Registration begins—who is eligible to apply, and how many vacancies will be filled? Find out here..
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released a detailed recruitment notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 01/2027). This recruitment drive aims to fill Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer positions within the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply. A total of 284 vacancies will be filled.
The online application process has begun on November 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Interested candidates may submit their applications until 11:30 PM on December 11, 2026. The written examination is scheduled to be held on January 31, 2027.
AFCAT 01/2027: Key Recruitment Dates
Details Date
Application Start Date November 12, 2026, 11:00 AM
Application Closing Date December 11, 2026, 11:30 PM
Admit Card Release Date January 27, 2027, 11:00 AM
Written Examination January 31, 2027
Period for Raising Objections (Answer Key & Question Paper) February 3 to 5, 2027
Commencement of Training First week of January 2028
Number of Vacancies
The notification specifies 268 vacancies under the AFCAT entry and 16 vacancies under the GATE score entry, bringing the total number of vacancies to 284. The details of the vacancies by branch are as follows:
Branch/Entry Number of Vacancies
Flying Branch (AFCAT) 36
Ground Duty (Technical) – AE(L) 88
Ground Duty (Technical) – AE(M) 36
Weapon Systems 30
Administration 53
Logistics 11
Accounts 8
Education 4
Meteorology 2
GATE Score Entry – AE(L) 11
GATE Score Entry – AE(M) 5
Total 284
Who can apply?
Candidates must be Indian citizens to apply for this recruitment. Age limits and educational qualifications vary by branch.
Age Limit
Flying Branch: Candidates must be between 20 and 24 years of age as of January 1, 2028. Their date of birth must fall between January 2, 2004, and January 1, 2008.
Ground Duty Branch: Candidates must be between 20 and 26 years of age. Their date of birth must fall between January 2, 2002, and January 1, 2008.
Commercial Pilot License: Candidates for the Flying Branch who hold a valid and current Commercial Pilot License (issued by the DGCA) are granted an upper age relaxation up to 26 years.
Candidates must be unmarried at the time of the commencement of the course and throughout the training period.
Educational Qualifications by Branch
Flying Branch: Candidates must have secured at least 50% marks in both Physics and Mathematics in Class 12. Additionally, they must hold a three-year bachelor’s degree or a four-year BE/BTech degree from a recognized university, with a minimum of 60% marks. Candidates who have secured at least 60% marks in Sections A and B of the Associate Membership examination conducted by the Institution of Engineers (India) or the Aeronautical Society of India are also eligible to apply, subject to specified conditions.
Ground Duty (Technical) Branch: For AE(L) and AE(M), a minimum of 50% marks in both Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 is mandatory. Additionally, candidates must possess a four-year degree in a relevant engineering discipline or an equivalent qualification as prescribed.
Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branch: A graduate degree is required for the Weapon Systems, Administration, and Logistics branches. For the Accounts branch, a degree or professional qualification in finance and accounting is necessary. For the Education branch, a postgraduate degree in any subject (following a bachelor’s degree) is required, while for the Meteorology branch, a specified qualification in science or engineering is mandatory.
GATE Score Entry: For AE(L) and AE(M), candidates must hold a BE/BTech degree in an eligible discipline along with a valid GATE score. As per the notification, GATE results declared between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2027, will be considered valid.
What is the selection process?
Candidates applying through the AFCAT entry must appear for an online written examination. This is followed by the next stage of the selection process: the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing. Candidates applying via the NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry are exempted from the written examination and will proceed directly to the AFSB selection process. The key stages of the selection process are as follows:
Written Examination: An online examination for candidates applying through the AFCAT entry.
AFSB Testing: The first stage consists of the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and the Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT). The subsequent stage includes psychological tests, group tests, and a personal interview. For candidates applying for the Flying Branch, a Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test will also be conducted.
Medical Examination: Candidates who qualify in the AFSB testing will undergo a medical examination.
Final Merit List: A merit list will be prepared based on the marks obtained in the written examination and the AFSB testing. Selection for training will be determined by merit and the number of available seats.
What is the AFCAT exam pattern?
The written examination will be an online, computer-based test. It will consist of 100 objective-type questions. The duration of the exam is two hours, with a maximum of 300 marks.
Details Exam Pattern
Mode of Examination Online
Number of Questions 100
Total Marks 300
Duration 2 hours
Correct Answer +3 marks
Incorrect Answer -1 mark
Unanswered Question 0 marks
The examination will cover subjects including English, General Awareness, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning & Military Aptitude.
What is the salary?
During training, flight cadets will receive a stipend of Rs 56,100 per month. Upon commissioning, a Flying Officer will receive a monthly salary ranging from Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500 (Pay Level 10). Additionally, they will receive a Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs 15,500 per month, along with other applicable allowances based on their branch and posting.
What is the application fee?
Candidates applying through the AFCAT entry are required to pay an application fee of Rs 550, plus 18% GST. This fee is non-refundable. Candidates applying through the NCC Special Entry or GATE score-based entry are exempted from the application fee. Payment can be made via net banking, credit card, debit card, or UPI.
How to apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
Candidates can fill out the online form by visiting the official Indian Air Force AFCAT application portal. Follow these steps to apply:
Visit the official AFCAT portal.
Select the 'Sign-Up' option and enter your name, mobile number, and email ID.
Verify your registration using an OTP.
Log in to the portal using the login credentials provided.
Enter your personal details, educational qualifications, branch preferences, and exam city choices. Candidates are required to select five exam cities.
Upload your photograph, signature, and thumb impression in the prescribed format.
Enter your Aadhaar card details.
Submit the form after paying the applicable application fee.
Take a printout of the completed application form and keep it safe.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we modified it for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
