The Indian Air Force (IAF) has released the short notice for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2027, along with NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. The recruitment is for the grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Flying Branch and Permanent Commission (PC)/Short Service Commission in the Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches. Courses will commence in the first week of January 2028 at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Hyderabad.
Online registration opens on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM and closes on 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM through the official portal https://afcat.edcil.co.in. The short notice was published around 2 November 2026 (Employment News).
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Short Notice Release | 2 November 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 12 November 2026 (11:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply | 11 December 2026 (11:30 PM) |
| Course Commencement | First week of January 2028 |
| AFCAT Exam Date | To be notified in the detailed notification |
Candidates are advised to apply well before the deadline. The examination date, admit card release, and other schedules will be announced subsequently.
Branches, Course Numbers and Vacancies
Vacancies are listed as “As published in the Notification for induction cycle 01/2027.” Branch-wise numbers and the total will appear in the detailed notification. Some reports have referenced a total of approximately 379 posts; aspirants should verify the official figures.
Indicative course details from the short notice:
- AFCAT Entry – Flying Branch: Course 223/28F/SSC/M&W (SSC for men and women).
- AFCAT Entry – Ground Duty (Technical): Courses 222/28T/PC/112AEC/M&W and 222/28T/SSC/112AEC/M&W (PC and SSC).
- AFCAT Entry – Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology (Course 222/28G/SSC/M&W); Weapon Systems (PC and SSC courses).
- NCC Special Entry: Flying Branch (PC for men and SSC for men & women); typically 10% of relevant CDSE/AFCAT vacancies.
- GATE Score Entry: Ground Duty (Technical) branches.
Two seats from the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vacancies are reserved for Law-qualified candidates. Actual intake depends on organisational requirements and training slots.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality: Indian citizens as per the Citizenship Act, 1955. Both men and women may apply.
Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried at the commencement of the course. Marriage is not permitted during training; violation leads to discharge and recovery of expenses.
Age Limit (as on 1 January 2028):
- Flying Branch: 20–24 years (born between 2 January 2004 and 1 January 2008, both dates inclusive).
- Flying Branch (valid and current DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders): Upper age limit relaxed to 26 years (born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2008).
- Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical), including GATE Score Entry: 20–26 years (born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2008).
Educational Qualifications: Detailed branch-wise educational criteria (including percentage requirements, relevant engineering disciplines for Technical branches, and subjects for Non-Technical branches) are available in the detailed notification on the official website. Candidates should check the latest criteria carefully, as requirements have varied in recent cycles.
Other Requirements:
- Aadhaar is mandatory for registration.
- PAN and an account in SBI or a nationalised bank are required at the time of joining the Academy.
- Physical and medical standards as prescribed by the IAF (detailed in the notification).
Application Fee
- AFCAT Entry: ₹550 + applicable GST (non-refundable).
- NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry: Nil.
Payment is made online through the portal.
Selection Process
- AFCAT written examination (computer-based). Engineering Knowledge Test (EKT) for Ground Duty (Technical) candidates.
- Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) testing (including psychological tests, group tasks, and interview).
- Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) for Flying Branch candidates.
- Medical examination as per IAF standards.
- Final merit list based on performance.
Training and Pay
- Training Location: Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad).
- Duration: Approximately 74 weeks for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical); approximately 50 weeks for Ground Duty (Non-Technical).
- Stipend during Training: ₹56,100 per month (fixed).
- On Commissioning: Rank of Flying Officer in Pay Level 10 (₹56,100–₹1,77,500) plus Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500 per month. Additional allowances (Flying, Technical, Transport, Risk & Hardship, etc.) are applicable based on branch, posting, and duty.
Service Tenure:
- Flying Branch SSC: 14 years from the date of commissioning (no pension entitlement for pure SSC).
- Ground Duty SSC: Initial 10 years, with possible extension of 4 years subject to requirements. Permanent Commission may be considered later as per policy.
Officers receive comprehensive benefits including medical cover, accommodation, canteen facilities, Leave Travel Concession, and insurance cover through AFGIS.
How to Apply
- Visit https://afcat.edcil.co.in.
- Register and fill the online application carefully (date of birth and other details cannot be amended later).
- Upload required documents and photographs.
- Pay the fee (if applicable) and submit.
- Keep the unique email ID and mobile number active throughout the selection process.
Candidates are strongly advised to read the detailed notification thoroughly before applying. Information filled in the form is treated as final.
Key Advice for Aspirants
AFCAT remains one of the primary pathways for becoming a commissioned officer in the Indian Air Force. Focus on the official short notice and the forthcoming detailed notification for exact vacancies, educational standards, and exam pattern. Prepare systematically for the written test (General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Military Aptitude, plus EKT for technical candidates) and the AFSB stage.
For the latest updates, regularly check the official AFCAT portal and Employment News. All details are subject to the final notification and IAF policies.
This article is based on the official AFCAT 01/2027 short notice and consistent reporting of its contents. Candidates must rely on the official website for authoritative information.
