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If you are a graduate aged 20 to 26 and want to become an officer in the Indian Air Force, AFCAT 01/2027 is your next shot. The online window opens on 12 November 2026 at 11 AM and closes on 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM, for courses starting at the Air Force Academy in January 2028.
The IAF has released a short notice so far, and the detailed notification with branch-wise vacancies and qualifications will follow on the AFCAT website. This post covers what the short notice confirms: dates, age limits, fee, pay, training, the marriage and tattoo rules, and how to apply once registration goes live.
AFCAT 01/2027 important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online registration opens | 12 November 2026, 11:00 AM |
| Last date to apply | 11 December 2026, 11:30 PM |
| Online exam date | Check the official notice |
| Training starts | First week of January 2028 |
The exam date and admit card schedule are not in the short notice yet.
Entries, branches and vacancies
This cycle has three ways in, and each one has its own tab on the registration site. If you qualify for more than one, you have to register separately for each.
| Entry | Branch | Course number | Type of commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT | Flying | 223/28F | SSC |
| AFCAT | Ground Duty (Technical) | 222/28T | PC and SSC |
| AFCAT | Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 222/28G | PC and SSC |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 223/28F | A share of CDSE and AFCAT seats |
| GATE Score Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | 222/28T | PC and SSC |
The short notice says the number of vacancies will be “as published in” the detailed notification for this cycle. Treat any number you see elsewhere with caution until then.
PC or SSC: what the difference means for you
Permanent Commission (PC) officers serve until the retirement age of their branch. Short Service Commission (SSC) officers in the Flying Branch serve 14 years from commissioning. SSC officers in Ground Duty branches start with 10 years, which can be extended by four years based on service needs, merit and your willingness.
Application fee
| Entry | Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT entry | Rs 550 + GST (non-refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry | No fee |
| GATE Score Entry | No fee |
Age limit as on 1 January 2028
- Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years, so born between 2 January 2004 and 1 January 2008 (both dates included).
- Flying Branch with a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence: upper limit relaxed to 26 years, so born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2008.
- Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical), including GATE entry: 20 to 26 years, so born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2008.
Eligibility
- You must be an Indian citizen as per the Citizenship Act, 1955.
- You must fall inside the age band for your branch, given above.
- You must be unmarried when the course begins, and stay unmarried through training.
- You must meet the educational qualification, physical and medical standards set out in the detailed notification for your branch.
- For GATE Score Entry, you need a valid GATE score as specified in the detailed notification.
- You need an Aadhaar card to register, and a PAN card plus an account in SBI or a nationalised bank when you join the academy.
Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course and marriage is not permitted during training.AFCAT 01/2027 short notice, para 16
Read the tattoo rule before you apply
Permanent tattoos are allowed only on the inner forearm (elbow to wrist) and the back of the hands, and you will sign a self-declaration for them. Tattoos anywhere else can end your selection, though tribal customs are judged case by case. Drug use is also tested during medicals and training.
Pay, stipend and benefits
A Flying Officer gets pay of Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500 a month, plus Military Service Pay of Rs 15,500, as per the pay commission in force. While you train as a flight cadet, you get a fixed stipend of Rs 56,100 a month.
On top of pay, there are allowances that depend on your branch and posting, such as flying, technical, transport, and risk and hardship allowance. The notice also lists furnished housing, medical cover for you and your family, canteen and mess facilities, LTC, 60 days of annual leave and 20 days of casual leave. Insurance cover through AFGIS is Rs 1.25 crore for death in service, on contribution.
Training is at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal (Hyderabad). It runs 74 weeks for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical), and 50 weeks for Ground Duty (Non-Technical).
Selection process
- Online registrationRegister under the right tab (AFCAT, NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry) and pay the fee if it applies to you.
- AFCAT online testAFCAT entry candidates take a computer-based test at centres across India. NCC and GATE candidates do not pay an exam fee.
- AFSB interviewShortlisted candidates report to an Air Force Selection Board. Travel fare is reimbursed if you are appearing for the first time for that entry.
- Medical examinationYou are checked against the IAF medical standards, which can include a drug test.
- Merit list and joiningFinal selection is on merit and vacancies, followed by joining instructions for the academy.
How to apply for AFCAT 01/2027
- Read the detailed notificationCheck your branch’s degree and marks requirement first, so you don’t pay for a form you can’t use.
- Open the AFCAT portalGo to afcat.edcil.co.in from 12 November 2026, 11 AM onwards.
- Register with a working email and mobileYou must keep the same email ID and mobile number active through the whole selection process.
- Fill the form carefullyThe IAF treats what you submit as final and does not allow changes later.
- Pay and savePay Rs 550 + GST for AFCAT entry, then download and keep a copy of the submitted form.
Do not leave it to 11 December
The window is a month long and the form cannot be edited after you submit it. Apply in the first two weeks, when you still have time to fix a payment failure or a photo upload problem.
For exam, registration or admit card queries, the notice gives +91 9513252077 and [email protected]. For eligibility, AFSB dates and merit list queries, call 011-23010231 (Extn 7610) or the toll-free number 1800-11-2448.
Important links
FAQ
What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 01/2027?
11 December 2026, 11:30 PM. Registration opens on 12 November 2026 at 11 AM.
How many vacancies are there in AFCAT 01/2027?
The short notice does not give a number. It says vacancies will be as published in the detailed notification for this cycle.
Can a married candidate apply?
No. You must be unmarried when the course starts, and marriage during training leads to discharge and a refund of training costs.
Do NCC and GATE entry candidates pay a fee?
No. Only AFCAT entry candidates pay Rs 550 + GST.
Sources: Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 / NCC Special Entry / GATE Score Entry short notice (CBC 10801/11/0018/2627); AFCAT official portal; IAF careers site.
