Short Detail:
Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced AFCAT 01/2027 Batch Recruitment 2026 with 284 listed posts across Flying and Ground Duty branches. The online form is scheduled from 12/11/2026 (11:00 AM) to 11/12/2026 (11:30 PM). AFCAT and GATE Score Entry have separate post counts. NCC Air Wing certificate holders can also apply for Flying Branch seats through NCC Special Entry. The selected candidates will begin training in the first week of January 2028.
⏳ Application Ends In
Indian Air Force (IAF)
IAF AFCAT 01/2027 Batch Recruitment 2026
Advt No.: AFCAT 01/2027
Important Dates
- Form Start Date: 12/11/2026 (11:00 AM)
- Form Last Date: 11/12/2026 (11:30 PM)
- Fee Payment Last Date: 11/12/2026 (11:30 PM)
- Form Correction Date: N/A
- Admit Card Date: 27/01/2027 (11:00 AM)
- Exam Date: 31/01/2027
- Raise Answer Key Objections: 03/02/2027 (10:00 AM) to 05/02/2027 (10:00 AM)
- Proof of Passing Due: 30/11/2027
- Training Starts: First week of January 2028
Application Fees
- AFCAT Entry: ₹550 + 18% GST (non-refundable)
- GATE Score Entry and NCC Special Entry: ₹0
- Pay the fee online using UPI, a debit or credit card, or net banking.
IAF AFCAT 01/2027 Batch 2026 Age Limit
As On Date: 01/01/2028
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 24 years for Flying and 26 years for Ground Duty
- Applicants must be unmarried at the start of training and stay unmarried throughout the course.
IAF AFCAT 01/2027 Batch 2026 Vacancy Details
Total Posts: 284 + NCC seats
| Commission Type | Men | Women | Listed Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Commission (PC) | 20 | 11 | 31 |
| Short Service Commission (SSC) | 177 | 76 | 253 |
| Total | 197 | 87 | 284 |
Branch-Wise Posts by Entry
| Branch / Post | Route | PC Men / Women | SSC Men / Women | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying | AFCAT | — / — | 28 / 8 | 36 |
| Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) | AFCAT | 5 / 2 | 54 / 27 | 88 |
| Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) | AFCAT | 8 / 2 | 18 / 8 | 36 |
| Weapon Systems | AFCAT | — / — | 25 / 5 | 30 |
| Administration | AFCAT | 1 / 1 | 34 / 17 | 53 |
| Logistics | AFCAT | 1 / 1 | 6 / 3 | 11 |
| Accounts | AFCAT | 1 / 1 | 3 / 3 | 8 |
| Education | AFCAT | 1 / 1 | 1 / 1 | 4 |
| Meteorology | AFCAT | 1 / 1 | — / — | 2 |
| Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) | GATE | 1 / 1 | 6 / 3 | 11 |
| Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) | GATE | 1 / 1 | 2 / 1 | 5 |
Eligibility Details
| Branch / Entry | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| Flying Branch | • Pass Class 12 with Physics and Maths. • Meet one degree option: a recognised 3-year degree with 60% marks, a 4-year BE/B.Tech, or Sections A and B of the relevant Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India exam. • For NCC Special Entry, hold the NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate. |
| Ground Duty Technical (Electronics) | • Physics and Maths at 10+2 are required. • Eligible options include a 4-year Engineering or Technology degree or integrated postgraduate course in a listed subject such as Electronics, Computer Science, IT, Electrical, Instrumentation or Robotics. • An M.Sc in Electronics with a B.Sc in Physics or the required Sections A and B of the accepted professional exams can also qualify. |
| Ground Duty Technical (Mechanical) | • Complete 10+2 with Maths and Physics. • Hold a relevant 4-year Engineering or Technology degree or integrated postgraduate qualification. Eligible fields include Mechanical, Aerospace, Aeronautical, Automobile and Mechatronics. • Candidates who passed Sections A and B of the Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India exam can also apply. |
| GATE Score Entry | • A relevant BE or B.Tech and a valid Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) score are needed. • The listed GATE result date range is 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2027. Accepted papers are CS, DA, EC, EE or IN for Electronics and Aerospace, Mechanical, PI, XE or MT for Mechanical. |
| Weapon Systems | • Class 12 Physics and Maths are required, along with a 3-year or longer degree in any subject or a 4-year BE/B.Tech. |
| Administration and Logistics | • Class 12 and a recognised degree of 3 years or more in any subject are accepted. Sections A and B of the relevant Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India exam are also accepted. |
| Accounts | • After Class 12, complete a 3-year B.Com or an accepted finance degree such as BBA, BMS, BBS or B.Sc in Finance. Chartered Accountant, Cost and Management Accountant, Company Secretary and Chartered Financial Analyst qualifications are also accepted. |
| Education | • Pass Class 12 and finish both graduation and post-graduation. Eligible integrated courses count. |
| Meteorology | • Pass Class 12 and complete a B.Sc with both Physics and Maths, or a 4-year Engineering or Technology degree in an accepted stream. |
Physical Eligibility
| What Is Checked | Required Standard |
|---|---|
| Ground Duty Height | • Men — 157 cm • Women — 152 cm |
| Flying Branch Height | • Pilots, Flight Test Engineers and Su-30 MKI Weapon Systems Officers — 162 cm • Other aircrew duties — 157 cm |
| Ground Duty Height Relaxation | • Lakshadweep — 2 cm (Men 155 cm, Women 150 cm) • Gorkhas, eligible North-East and hilly Uttarakhand candidates — 5 cm (Men 152 cm, Women 147 cm) |
| Flying Branch Body Measurements | • Sitting height — 81.5–96 cm • Leg length — 99–120 cm • Thigh length — Maximum 64 cm |
| Chest and Weight | • Men’s chest — Minimum 77 cm with 5 cm expansion • Weight — As per age and height chart • Flying cadets — Minimum 48 kg before Stage I flying training |
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Details
| Training Fitness Target | Distance / Reps |
|---|---|
| Run | Up to 4 km in 15 minutes |
| Push-ups | 20 or more |
| Sit-ups | 20 or more |
| Chin-ups | 8 or more |
| Climb a rope | 3–4 metres |
| Swim | 25 metres |
AFCAT 01/2027 Batch: Salary Details
| Stage | Pay |
|---|---|
| Flight Cadet during training | ₹56,100 per month as a stipend |
| Flying Officer after training | ₹56,100–₹1,77,500 at Pay Level 10, plus ₹15,500 per month in Military Service Pay and applicable allowances |
Important Links
| Online Application | Click Here |
| Download Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | IAF Official Website |
| Join Youtube Channel | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| Join Facebook Group | Click Here |
| Instagram Join | Click Here |
IAD AFCAT 01/2027 Batch 2026: Selection Process & Exam Pattern
Online Test for AFCAT Entry
| Paper | Question Type | Questions and Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Awareness, English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning and Military Aptitude | English-language multiple-choice questions | 100 questions for 300 marks | 120 minutes |
- AFCAT awards 3 marks for a correct answer and deducts 1 mark for a wrong answer. Skipped questions score zero.
- Scores are adjusted for differences between shifts if the exam is held in more than one shift.
- Eligible NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry candidates start at the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB).
Written Exam Syllabus
| Section | What to Study |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | Current affairs, history, geography, defence, basic science, economy, polity, art and culture, sports, organisations and the environment. |
| English | Comprehension, grammar errors, sentence completion, sentence order and transformation, synonyms and antonyms, idioms, phrases, analogy, one-word substitution and fill-in-the-blank passages. |
| Numerical Ability | Class 10 maths including percentages, averages, ratios, decimals and fractions, profit and loss, interest, work, speed and distance, races, number systems, HCF and LCM, perimeter, area, probability and basic statistics. |
| Reasoning and Military Aptitude | Graduation-level verbal and non-verbal reasoning. |
AFSB Tests, Medical Check and Final Selection
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| AFSB Day 1 | Candidates take the Officer Intelligence Rating Test and the Picture Perception and Discussion Test. They must clear screening and original document checks to stay for the next stage. |
| AFSB Days 2–5 | Candidates attend a personal interview, take psychological tests and complete group tasks. Recommended Flying Branch candidates must pass the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS). Each candidate gets one chance to take it. |
| Medical check | The Special Medical Board checks the medical fitness of candidates recommended by the AFSB. |
| Final selection | For AFCAT Entry, the Air Force uses written exam marks plus AFSB marks for merit. Medical fitness, merit rank and the applicant’s branch preferences decide the branch allotment. |
AFSB testing centres are in Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, Varanasi and Guwahati.
IAF AFCAT 01/2027 Batch 2026: FAQS
What is the Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 form deadline?
The form closes at 11:30 PM on 11 December 2026. The application link opens at 11:00 AM on 12 November. Check the conditions for your chosen branch and entry route before filling in the form.
How many Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 seats are listed?
The notice lists 268 posts through AFCAT and 16 through GATE Score Entry, making 284 listed posts. NCC candidates can also apply for Flying Branch seats. The number of those seats follows the separate NCC Special Entry rule.
What is the fee for Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027?
The fee for the AFCAT route is ₹550 plus 18% GST, and it is non-refundable. GATE Score Entry and NCC Special Entry are free. AFCAT applicants can use UPI, net banking, or a debit or credit card.
When is the Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027 test?
The test date is 31 January 2027. The admit card download starts at 11:00 AM on 27 January. Candidates can raise objections from 10:00 AM on 3 February until 10:00 AM on 5 February 2027.
Who takes the written exam for Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027?
The online written test is for AFCAT Entry candidates. Eligible applicants through NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry go straight to Air Force Selection Board testing. Candidates recommended by the board then have to pass the medical exam.
Can a final-semester student apply for Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027?
Yes, provided the student has no current backlog when applying and can provide proof of passing the required course by 30 November 2027. The degree and Class 12 requirements vary by branch, so check the rules for the branch you choose.
What age is required for Indian Air Force AFCAT 01/2027?
The date used to count age is 1 January 2028. The Flying Branch age range is 20 to 24, or up to 26 for holders of a valid DGCA India commercial pilot licence. The Ground Duty age range is 20 to 26.
