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AFCAT 1 2027 Recruitment: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has invited online applications for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 1 2027 for admission to the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches. Candidates seeking to join the Indian Air Force as commissioned officers can apply for the January 2028 course.
There is no entrance test for some candidates with pre-qualification; you can check the details in this article.
The AFCAT 1 2027 Recruitment includes opportunities through AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. Vacancies are available for both men and women under Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC), wherever applicable.
The vacancies mentioned in the notification are tentative and may change depending on organisational requirements and the availability of training slots.
AFCAT 1 2027 Recruitment: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Detailed notification | 12 November 2026 |
| Application form starts | 12 November 2026, 11 AM |
| Last date to apply | 11 December 2026, 11:30 PM |
| Admit card release | 27 January 2027 |
| AFCAT online examination | 31 January 2027 |
| Course commencement | First week of January 2028 |
AFCAT 1 2027 Vacancy Details: 284 Posts
The Indian Air Force has announced 284 tentative vacancies through AFCAT and GATE Score Entry. NCC Special Entry vacancies are additional and are calculated as a percentage of the specified CDSE and AFCAT vacancies.
1. AFCAT Entry vacancies
| Branch / Post | Men PC | Women PC | Men SSC | Women SSC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying | – | – | 28 | 8 | 36 |
| AE (Electronics) | 5 | 2 | 54 | 27 | 88 |
| AE (Mechanical) | 8 | 2 | 18 | 8 | 36 |
| Weapon Systems | – | – | 25 | 5 | 30 |
| Administration | 1 | 1 | 34 | 17 | 53 |
| Logistics | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 11 |
| Accounts | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| Education | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Meteorology | 1 | 1 | – | – | 2 |
| Total | 18 | 10 | 169 | 92 | 268 |
2. GATE Score Entry vacancies
Engineering graduates with valid GATE scores can also apply for Ground Duty Technical positions. These candidates do not need an entrance test; they can add their GATE score.
| Branch | Men PC | Women PC | Men SSC | Women SSC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AE (Electronics) | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 11 |
| AE (Mechanical) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Total | 2 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 16 |
3. NCC Special Entry vacancies
Candidates holding the required NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate can apply for Flying Branch through NCC Special Entry.
- Permanent Commission (Men): 10% of CDSE vacancies.
- Short Service Commission (Men and Women): 10% of AFCAT vacancies.
These seats are not included in the 284 vacancies mentioned above.
Important vacancy information:
- Two Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vacancies are reserved for candidates possessing an LLB degree.
- The IAF may change the vacancies depending on organisational requirements, cadre control mechanisms, and availability of training slots.
- PC means Permanent Commission and SSC means Short Service Commission.
AFCAT 1 2027 Recruitment Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfil the prescribed educational qualification and age requirements for their preferred branch.
Age limit
| Branch | Age as on 1 January 2028 |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20 to 24 years |
| Flying Branch with valid DGCA CPL | Up to 26 years |
| Ground Duty Technical | 20 to 26 years |
| Ground Duty Non-Technical | 20 to 26 years |
- Flying Branch: Candidates should be born between 2 January 2004 and 1 January 2008.
- Ground Duty: Candidates should be born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2008.
Educational qualification
| Branch | Educational qualification |
|---|---|
| Flying | Minimum 50% in each of Mathematics and Physics at 10+2 level and graduation of at least three years with 60%, or BE/BTech with 60% |
| Ground Duty Technical – AE (Electronics) | 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics and a four-year engineering degree or prescribed equivalent qualification in eligible disciplines |
| Ground Duty Technical – AE (Mechanical) | 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics and a four-year engineering degree in prescribed mechanical and allied disciplines |
| Weapon Systems | 10+2 with Mathematics and Physics and graduation with 60% or BE/BTech with 60% |
| Administration and Logistics | Graduation with at least 60% marks |
| Accounts | BCom or specified finance-related qualifications, including eligible professional qualifications |
| Education | Graduation with 60% and post-graduation with 50% |
| Meteorology | BSc with Physics and Mathematics or an eligible four-year engineering degree |
Candidates must check the detailed list of eligible engineering disciplines and equivalent qualifications in the official notification before applying.
Final-year students can also apply subject to the prescribed conditions, including no current backlog and submission of proof of completing the final examination by 30 November 2027.
AFCAT 1 2027 Application Fee
| Entry | Application fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | ₹550 + 18% GST |
| NCC Special Entry | No fee |
| GATE Score Entry | No fee |
The AFCAT examination fee is non-refundable. Payment can be made through the available online payment methods.
AFCAT 1 2027 Selection Process
The AFCAT 1 2027 Recruitment selection process differs according to the entry through which candidates apply.
- AFCAT Written Examination: Candidates applying through AFCAT Entry must qualify in the online examination.
- AFSB Interview: Shortlisted candidates undergo the Air Force Selection Board assessment, including psychological tests, group tasks, and a personal interview.
- CPSS Test: Candidates shortlisted for the Flying Branch are required to qualify in the Computerised Pilot Selection System, wherever applicable.
- Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by the AFSB undergo the prescribed medical examination.
- Final Merit List: The final selection is based on merit, medical fitness and the availability of vacancies.
NCC Special Entry candidates meeting the prescribed requirements proceed directly to AFSB testing without appearing for the AFCAT written examination. GATE Score Entry candidates are shortlisted as per the prescribed GATE and notification criteria.
AFCAT 1 2027 Exam Pattern
The AFCAT 1 2027 Recruitment examination will be conducted online in objective-type format.
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | History, Geography, Polity, Science and Current Affairs |
| Verbal Ability in English | Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary |
| Numerical Ability | Mathematical and numerical questions |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning |
| Total questions | 100 |
| Maximum marks | 300 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Correct answer | +3 marks |
| Incorrect answer | -1 mark |
| Unattempted question | 0 marks |
The examination will be conducted in English.
Salary and Training Details
Selected candidates will undergo training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad. Training is scheduled to begin in the first week of January 2028.
- Monthly stipend during training: ₹56,100.
- Flying Officer pay: ₹56,100–₹1,77,500 (Level 10).
- Military Service Pay: ₹15,500 per month.
- Other allowances are applicable as per IAF rules.
How to Apply for AFCAT 1 2027?
Candidates can submit their application forms online by following these steps:
- Visit the official AFCAT website.
- Open the AFCAT 1 2027 Recruitment application link.
- Complete registration using your personal details, mobile number, and email ID.
- Log in using the generated credentials.
- Fill in educational qualifications and other required information.
- Select the appropriate entry and branch preferences.
- Upload the photograph, signature, and thumb impression.
- Pay the application fee, wherever applicable.
- Preview the application and submit it.
- Download and print the submitted application form.
Candidates should keep their Aadhaar details, educational certificates, photograph, signature, and other required documents ready before starting the application.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | AFCAT Application Portal |
| Official notification | Indian Air Force Recruitment Website |
| Recruitment updates | IAF Official Website |
FAQs
1. When does AFCAT 1 2027 registration start?
Online registration starts on 12 November 2026 at 11 AM.
2. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 1 2027?
The last date is 11 December 2026, up to 11:30 PM.
3. How many vacancies are announced?
There are 284 tentative vacancies through AFCAT and GATE Score Entry, apart from NCC Special Entry seats.
4. When will AFCAT 1 2027 be conducted?
The online examination will be conducted on 31 January 2027.
5. Can women apply for AFCAT 1 2027?
Yes. Women can apply for the Flying and Ground Duty branches under the applicable SSC and PC vacancies.
6. When will the January 2028 course commence?
Training will commence in the first week of January 2028.