The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released a recruitment advertisement for AFCAT 01/2027, inviting applications from eligible unmarried men and women for Commissioned Officer posts in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches.
Interested candidates can apply online through the official AFCAT application portal from 12 November 2026. Check the eligibility criteria, age limit, salary, application fee and important dates below.
Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment 2027 – Overview
| Organization | Indian Air Force (IAF) |
|---|---|
| Department | Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Exam Name | AFCAT 01/2027 |
| Advt No. | CBC 10801/11/0018/2627 |
| Post Name | Commissioned Officer |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty |
| Entry Types | AFCAT, NCC and GATE Score |
| Mode | Online |
| Start Date | 12 November 2026 |
| Last Date | 11 December 2026 |
Indian Air Force AFCAT Vacancy 2027
The recruitment covers the following branches and entry schemes:
| Entry | Branch | Course Number |
|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 223/28F/SSC/M&W |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | 222/28T/PC/M&W, 112AEC/M&W, 222/28T/SSC/M&W, 112AEC/M&W |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 222/28G/SSC/M&W |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 223/28F/PC/M and 223/28F/SSC/M&W |
| GATE Score Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | As per the notified induction course |
Note: The advertisement does not provide a consolidated vacancy figure. Branch-wise vacancies and detailed course information should be checked in the official notification.
Branches and Available Positions
- Flying Branch: Commissioned Officer opportunities for eligible candidates.
- Ground Duty (Technical): Technical branch opportunities through AFCAT and GATE Score Entry.
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology and Weapon Systems (WS) as notified.
- NCC Special Entry: Flying Branch entry for eligible NCC candidates.
Type of Commission
1. Permanent Commission (PC)
Male and female candidates joining through Permanent Commission will continue to serve until the age of superannuation in their respective branches, subject to applicable service rules.
2. Short Service Commission (SSC)
- Flying Branch: Initial engagement is for 14 years from the date of commissioning.
- Ground Duty Branches: Initial tenure is 10 years, with a possible extension of four years, subject to service requirements and applicable rules.
- SSC officers are not entitled to a grant of pension under the conditions specified in the advertisement.
Age Limit for AFCAT 01/2027
The age limit is calculated as on 01 January 2028.
| Branch | Age Limit | Date of Birth |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 20–24 Years | 02 January 2004 to 01 January 2008 |
| Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) | 20–26 Years | 02 January 2002 to 01 January 2008 |
Flying Branch Age Relaxation: The upper age limit is 26 years for candidates holding a valid and current DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued before the prescribed cut-off date.
Educational Qualification
- Flying Branch: Candidates must satisfy the prescribed educational and subject requirements for Flying Branch entry.
- Ground Duty (Technical): Candidates must meet the relevant engineering qualification requirements.
- Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Candidates must possess the prescribed qualification for their selected discipline.
- NCC Special Entry: Candidates must fulfil the prescribed Flying Branch eligibility and NCC requirements.
- GATE Score Entry: Candidates must satisfy the relevant technical qualification and GATE requirements.
Salary and Pay Scale
Selected candidates will be commissioned as Flying Officers in the Indian Air Force.
| Particulars | Salary |
|---|---|
| Rank | Flying Officer |
| Pay Level | Level 10 |
| Pay Scale | ₹56,100–₹1,77,500 |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹15,500 per month |
| Training Stipend | ₹56,100 per month |
Additional allowances may include Flying Allowance, Technical Allowance, Transport Allowance, House Rent Allowance and other applicable benefits.
Training Duration
Training is scheduled to commence in the first week of January 2028 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad.
| Branch | Training Duration |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | 74 Weeks |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 74 Weeks |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 50 Weeks |
Training duration and arrangements are subject to the applicable Air Force instructions.
Application Fee
| Entry Type | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | ₹550 + GST |
| NCC Special Entry | No Fee |
| GATE Score Entry | No Fee |
Payment Mode: Online payment through the prescribed application portal.
Note: The AFCAT examination fee is non-refundable.
Selection Process
Candidates will be selected according to the prescribed selection procedure for their respective entry.
- Online AFCAT Examination, where applicable
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Testing
- Physical and Medical Examination
- Final Merit List
NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry candidates must follow the separate eligibility and selection instructions applicable to their entry schemes.
Physical and Medical Standards
Candidates must meet the prescribed physical and medical standards of the Indian Air Force. Details regarding medical fitness, physical requirements and educational eligibility are available in the detailed recruitment notification.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start | 12 November 2026 (11:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply | 11 December 2026 (11:30 PM) |
| Course Commencement | January 2028 |
How to Apply for Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027?
Eligible candidates can submit their online applications by following these steps:
- Visit the official AFCAT application website.
- Open the AFCAT 01/2027 application link.
- Select the appropriate entry: AFCAT, NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry.
- Complete the registration with the required details.
- Fill in personal, educational and other eligibility information.
- Upload the required documents as per the application instructions.
- Pay the examination fee, if applicable.
- Check all details carefully before final submission.
- Download and save the submitted application form.
Important: Separate registration is required for AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. Candidates eligible for multiple entries must apply separately.
Important Links
| Particulars | Links |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Advertisement | Download PDF |
| Online Application | Apply Online |
| Indian Air Force Website | Click Here |
| Recruitment Updates | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is AFCAT 01/2027 Recruitment?
What is the application start date for AFCAT 01/2027?
What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
What is the age limit for AFCAT 01/2027?
What is the AFCAT application fee?
What is the salary of an AFCAT Flying Officer?
When will AFCAT 01/2027 training begin?
Where can candidates apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
How many vacancies are available in AFCAT 01/2027?
Does AFCAT 01/2027 include NCC Special Entry?
Disclaimer: Candidates should carefully read the detailed Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 notification before applying. Educational qualifications, vacancies, medical standards and other eligibility conditions are subject to the official recruitment instructions.
