Young graduates and engineering aspirants across India dreaming of wearing the prestigious blue uniform of the Indian Air Force (IAF) have received a major career opportunity. On Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM, the Indian Air Force officially activated the online registration portal for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT 01/2027). Conducted for courses commencing in January 2028 at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad, this recruitment cycle invites unmarried male and female Indian citizens to apply for commissioned officer roles across the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches.

Eligible candidates from major defense preparation hubs—including New Delhi, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Dehradun, Jaipur, Patna, Pune, and Bengaluru—can submit their online applications via the official portal at afcat.edcil.co.in (accessible through careerairforce.gov.in) until December 11, 2026, at 11:30 PM. According to the detailed recruitment notification, the computer-based AFCAT online examination is scheduled to be held on Sunday, January 31, 2027, with admit cards releasing on January 27, 2027. While preliminary reports referenced up to 379 total openings across all defense entries, the official AFCAT 01/2027 notification details 284 tentative vacancies across AFCAT Entry (268 posts) and GATE Score Entry (16 posts), alongside dedicated seats reserved under the NCC Special Entry scheme.

Branch-Wise Vacancy Breakdown: Permanent and Short Service Commissions

The AFCAT 01/2027 recruitment drive offers pathways for both Permanent Commission (PC) for men and Short Service Commission (SSC) for men and women across specialized operational verticals:

• Flying Branch (Course No. 223/28F/SSC/M & W): 36 vacancies (28 for men and 8 for women) under Short Service Commission, plus 10 percent of CDSE and AFCAT seats earmarked for NCC Air Wing Senior Division 'C' Certificate holders.

• Ground Duty – Technical (Course No. 222/28T): Includes 88 vacancies in Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics) and 36 vacancies in Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) under AFCAT Entry, supplemented by 16 vacancies through GATE Score Entry.

• Ground Duty – Non-Technical (Course No. 222/28G): Comprises 108 vacancies spanning Weapon Systems (30 posts), Administration (53 posts), Logistics (11 posts), Accounts (8 posts), Education (4 posts), and Meteorology (2 posts).

Age Limit Criteria: Cutoff Dates for Flying and Ground Duty Branches

To ensure fairness across applicants, age eligibility for AFCAT 01/2027 is calculated strictly as of January 1, 2028, when training commences:

• Flying Branch (AFCAT and NCC Special Entry): Candidates must be between 20 and 24 years of age, meaning they must have been born between January 2, 2004, and January 1, 2008 (both dates inclusive). For applicants holding a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by the DGCA, the upper age limit is relaxed up to 26 years (born between January 2, 2002, and January 1, 2008).

• Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical Branches): Applicants must be between 20 and 26 years of age, born between January 2, 2002, and January 1, 2008 (both dates inclusive).

Educational Qualifications and Pay Scale for Selected Officers

Academic requirements vary depending on the operational branch chosen during registration:

• Flying Branch: Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2 pattern) with at least 50 percent marks each in Mathematics and Physics, alongside a minimum three-year Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 60 percent marks, or a four-year BE/BTech degree with a minimum of 60 percent aggregate.

• Ground Duty (Technical): Candidates require a minimum of 50 percent marks in Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level and a four-year graduation or integrated postgraduate degree in Engineering/Technology in relevant disciplines with at least 60 percent marks.

• Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Administration, Logistics, and Weapon Systems require a Bachelor’s degree in any stream with 60 percent marks; Accounts requires a B.Com degree with 60 percent marks; Education requires a postgraduate degree (MA/M.Sc/MBA/MCA) with 50 percent marks; and Meteorology requires a Master’s degree in specified science or mathematics disciplines. Final-year students without current backlogs are also eligible to apply, provided they submit degree proof by November 30, 2027.

Upon selection, Flight Cadets receive a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 per month during their final year of training. Upon commissioning in the rank of Flying Officer, officers are placed in Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) along with a monthly Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500, flying or technical allowances, free medical care, and housing benefits.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Complete AFCAT 01/2027 Online Registration

Candidates can complete their online application before December 11 by following these steps:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Navigate to afcat.edcil.co.in (or follow the career link via careerairforce.gov.in).

2. Select Entry Category and Sign Up: Click on the active registration link for AFCAT 01/2027, choose your applicable entry (AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry, or GATE Score Entry), and verify your mobile number and email address via OTP to generate your login credentials.

3. Fill Out the Application Form: Log in and enter your personal particulars, Class 10/12 and graduation marks, branch preferences, and preferred examination cities across India.

4. Upload Documents and Pay Fee: Upload scanned copies of your passport-size photograph, signature, and left thumb impression. Candidates applying under AFCAT Entry must pay the examination fee of ₹550 plus 18 percent GST online (NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry candidates are exempted from the fee).

5. Print Confirmation Receipt: Once payment is confirmed, download and print a copy of the submitted application form for upcoming Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interviews.