The Indian Air Force has opened the door for the next batch of officers. Its notification for the Air Force Common Admission Test, AFCAT 01/2027, is out, with 379 vacancies across the Flying and Ground Duty branches. Online applications open on 12 November 2026 and close on 11 December 2026, and the selected candidates will begin their courses at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad, in January 2028.
For graduates who have dreamed of a career in uniform, this is one of the biggest defence recruitment windows of the year. The drive covers Flying, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical), NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry.
379 posts across Flying and Ground Duty branches
The 379 vacancies are for commissioned officer posts. The Flying Branch takes candidates who will train as pilots, while Ground Duty covers the technical and non-technical streams that keep the Air Force running, from engineering and logistics to administration, accounts and education.
The exact branch-wise split will be confirmed in the detailed notification, which the Air Force is yet to publish in full. What is confirmed so far is the overall figure of 379 posts, the application window, and the January 2028 start of training.
Important dates to remember
- Online applications open: 12 November 2026, 11:00 AM
- Last date to apply: 11 December 2026, 11:30 PM
- Application fee: Rs 550 plus GST for AFCAT entry. Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry are exempt from the fee.
- Exam date: to be announced, tentatively in February 2027
- Training begins: first week of January 2028, at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal
Applications have to be submitted online only, through the official AFCAT portal, afcat.edcil.co.in. Candidates should not wait till the last day, when the portal usually sees heavy traffic.
Who can apply
Flying Branch: Applicants must be between 20 and 24 years of age. They need a bachelor degree of at least three years in any discipline, or a BE or BTech degree, with a minimum of 60 per cent marks. They must also have scored at least 50 per cent each in Physics and Mathematics at the Class 12 level.
Ground Duty branches: The age limit is 20 to 26 years. Applicants must hold the relevant graduate or postgraduate qualification for the branch they choose. Technical posts require the specified engineering qualifications, while non-technical posts have discipline-specific educational requirements.
Age relaxations, physical and medical standards, and the full eligibility conditions are given in the detailed notification. Candidates should read it carefully before filling the form.
Exam pattern and selection
The AFCAT examination will have 100 multiple-choice questions carrying 300 marks, to be answered in two hours. The paper covers General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude. Candidates get three marks for every correct answer and lose one mark for each wrong answer. There is no penalty for questions left unanswered.
Candidates applying for Ground Duty (Technical) posts will also have to appear for the Engineering Knowledge Test, or EKT. It will have 50 questions carrying 150 marks, with a duration of 45 minutes.
Those who clear the written test are called for the Air Force Selection Board, or AFSB, testing, which includes psychological tests, group tasks and a personal interview, followed by a medical examination. Final selection depends on merit and medical fitness.
Salary and benefits
Selected officers will be placed in Pay Level 10, with a salary ranging from Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77,500 per month. They will also receive Military Service Pay of Rs 15,500 per month, as applicable, along with the allowances that come with a commission in the Indian Air Force.
How to apply
- Visit the official AFCAT portal, afcat.edcil.co.in, once registration opens on 12 November 2026.
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number, then fill in personal, educational and branch preference details.
- Upload the photograph, signature and documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the fee of Rs 550 plus GST online, if applicable, and submit the form.
- Save a copy of the submitted application and the fee receipt for future reference.
With 379 officer posts and a month-long application window, AFCAT 01/2027 is a chance to join the Indian Air Force as a commissioned officer. Eligible candidates should get their documents ready now, so they can apply as soon as the portal opens.
FAQs
How many vacancies are there in AFCAT 01/2027?
There are 379 reported vacancies across the Flying and Ground Duty branches. The branch-wise distribution will be confirmed in the detailed notification.
When do AFCAT 01/2027 applications open and close?
Online registration opens on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM and closes on 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM.
What is the application fee for AFCAT 2027?
The fee is Rs 550 plus GST for AFCAT entry. Candidates applying through NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry do not have to pay the fee.
What is the age limit for the Flying Branch?
Applicants for the Flying Branch must be between 20 and 24 years of age. For Ground Duty branches, the age limit is 20 to 26 years.
When will the training for selected candidates begin?
Selected candidates will join courses commencing in January 2028 at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad, with training expected to start in the first week of January 2028.
Candidates should verify all details in the official AFCAT notification on afcat.edcil.co.in before applying.
