The Indian Air Force has released the detailed AFCAT 1 Notification 2027 (AFCAT 01/2027) on the official AFCAT portal, afcat.edcil.co.in. The notification covers the Air Force Common Admission Test for the Flying Branch and the Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches, along with NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry, for courses commencing in January 2028. It confirms the exam date, the admit card date, branch-wise vacancies, age limits, educational qualifications, the application fee and the exam pattern.
Status as on 12 November 2026: The 66-page AFCAT 01/2027 notification PDF is available in the News section of the official portal, and the online application link is live. Registration runs from 12 November 2026 (11:00 AM) to 11 December 2026 (11:30 PM), and the online AFCAT exam will be held on 31 January 2027 (Sunday). Every date, number and rule in this article is taken from that official notification. Dates for the result and AFSB interviews have not been announced yet and are clearly marked as expected.
AFCAT 1 Notification 2027 at a Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2027 |
| Conducting body | Indian Air Force |
| Entries | AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry, GATE Score Entry |
| Branches | Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), Ground Duty (Non-Technical) |
| Total vacancies (AFCAT + GATE entries) | 284 (tentative), plus NCC Special Entry seats |
| Online registration | 12 November 2026 (11:00 AM) to 11 December 2026 (11:30 PM) |
| Admit card | From 27 January 2027 (11:00 AM) |
| AFCAT exam date | 31 January 2027 (Sunday) |
| Application fee | ₹550 + 18% GST for AFCAT Entry; nil for NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry |
| Age reference date | 1 January 2028 |
| Course commencement | First week of January 2028 |
| Official portal | afcat.edcil.co.in |
AFCAT 1 Notification 2027 PDF: Where to Find It
The official notification is titled “Notification – Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT-01/2027) for Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches/ NCC Special Entry/ GATE Score Entry for Courses Commencing in January 2028”. To download it, open the official AFCAT portal, go to the News section on the home page and click the link next to this title. The same section carries the online application link for AFCAT 01/2027.
The 66-page PDF also contains the online form instructions, syllabus, exam cities, AFSB procedure, pay and allowances, and the medical standards in Appendix A. Read it in full before applying, because the IAF will not entertain queries on relaxation of eligibility conditions.
AFCAT 1 2027 Important Dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed notification | Available on the portal by 12 November 2026 | Released |
| Online registration opens | 12 November 2026, 11:00 AM | Official |
| Last date to apply | 11 December 2026, 11:30 PM | Official |
| Admit card download | 27 January 2027, 11:00 AM onwards | Official |
| AFCAT 01/2027 online exam | 31 January 2027 (Sunday) | Official |
| Question paper, answer key and response sheet (objection window) | 3 February 2027, 10:00 AM to 5 February 2027, 10:00 AM | Official |
| Result | Around late February to March 2027 | Expected |
| AFSB interviews | From around March 2027 onwards | Expected |
| Course commencement | First week of January 2028 | Official |
Note that the exam is on a Sunday this time, while the last two AFCAT exams were held on Saturdays. For a stage-wise breakdown of the schedule and how it compares with earlier cycles, see our guide to the AFCAT 1 exam date 2027.
Exam Day Timings
| Activity | Time (31 January 2027) |
|---|---|
| Candidate reporting time | 8:00 AM |
| Last entry time | 9:00 AM |
| Verification of admit card and ID, biometrics, photograph and seating | 8:00 AM to 9:45 AM |
| Reading of instructions | 9:45 AM to 10:00 AM |
| Conduct of AFCAT | 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon |
The last entry time is 9:00 AM, half an hour earlier than the 9:30 AM gate closing in the AFCAT 01/2026 cycle. No entry is allowed once pre-exam verification starts.
AFCAT 1 2027 Vacancies
The notification lists course numbers 223/28F (Flying) and 222/28T and 222/28G (Ground Duty) for the January 2028 batch. The branch-wise vacancies are given below. PC stands for Permanent Commission and SSC for Short Service Commission.
| Entry / Branch | Men (PC) | Women (PC) | Men (SSC) | Women (SSC) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT – Flying | – | – | 28 | 8 | 36 |
| AFCAT – GD(T) Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) | 5 | 2 | 54 | 27 | 88 |
| AFCAT – GD(T) Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) | 8 | 2 | 18 | 8 | 36 |
| AFCAT – GD(NT) Weapon Systems | – | – | 25 | 5 | 30 |
| AFCAT – GD(NT) Administration | 1 | 1 | 34 | 17 | 53 |
| AFCAT – GD(NT) Logistics | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 11 |
| AFCAT – GD(NT) Accounts | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| AFCAT – GD(NT) Education | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| AFCAT – GD(NT) Meteorology | 1 | 1 | – | – | 2 |
| GATE Score Entry – AE (Electronics) | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 11 |
| GATE Score Entry – AE (Mechanical) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Total | 284 |
Totals are calculated from the official branch-wise figures: 268 seats through AFCAT Entry and 16 through GATE Score Entry. For NCC Special Entry (Flying), the notification reserves 10% of CDSE vacancies for PC (Men) and 10% of AFCAT vacancies for SSC (Men and Women). In addition, 10% of Ground Duty vacancies are reserved for NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate holders, and two Ground Duty (Non-Technical) seats are reserved for candidates holding an LLB degree.
The IAF notes that these vacancies are tentative and may change with organisational requirements.
AFCAT 1 2027 Eligibility
Nationality
Candidates must be citizens of India as per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955. Both men and women can apply.
Age Limit
| Branch / Entry | Age (as on 1 Jan 2028) | Date of Birth Range (both dates inclusive) |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch (AFCAT and NCC Special Entry) | 20 to 24 years | 2 January 2004 to 1 January 2008 |
| Flying Branch with valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence | Up to 26 years | 2 January 2002 to 1 January 2008 |
| Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) | 20 to 26 years | 2 January 2002 to 1 January 2008 |
Candidates must be unmarried at the start of the course, and marriage is not allowed during training. Only the date of birth recorded in the Class 10 (Matriculation) or equivalent certificate is accepted. For DOB calculation examples and the rules on proof of age, read our detailed article on the AFCAT 1 age limit 2027.
Educational Qualification
| Branch | Qualification as per AFCAT 01/2027 Notification |
|---|---|
| Flying | 10+2 with Mathematics and Physics, plus a graduation of at least three years in any discipline, or a four-year BE/BTech, or Sections A and B of AMIE/Associate Membership of the Aeronautical Society of India |
| GD(T) – AE (Electronics) | 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, plus a four-year engineering degree (or MSc Electronics with BSc Physics, or AMIE/ASI/IETE) in the listed electronics, electrical, computer and IT disciplines |
| GD(T) – AE (Mechanical) | 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, plus a four-year engineering degree (or AMIE/ASI) in the listed mechanical, aerospace and allied disciplines |
| GD(NT) – Weapon Systems | 10+2 with Mathematics and Physics, plus a graduation of at least three years in any discipline or a four-year BE/BTech |
| GD(NT) – Administration and Logistics | 10+2 and a graduation of at least three years in any discipline, or Sections A and B of AMIE/ASI |
| GD(NT) – Accounts | 10+2 and BCom, BBA/BMS/BBS with Finance specialisation, BSc with Finance specialisation, or qualified CA/CMA/CS/CFA |
| GD(NT) – Education | 10+2, graduation in any discipline and post-graduation in any discipline (including integrated PG) |
| GD(NT) – Meteorology | 10+2 and BSc with Physics and Mathematics, or a four-year engineering degree in the listed electronics, electrical, mechanical, computer and IT streams |
Some other key conditions from the notification:
- Only candidates who passed Class 12 under the 10+2 pattern can apply. A diploma in place of 10+2 is not accepted.
- Final-year students can apply if they have no current backlog, but they must submit proof of completing their final exams by 30 November 2027.
- GATE Score Entry candidates need a BE/BTech in one of the listed disciplines and a GATE score with result declared between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2027, in one of the ten specified GATE papers.
- NCC Special Entry needs an NCC Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ certificate obtained within two years before the AFCAT registration date. These candidates do not take the written test and go directly to the AFSB.
- Candidates who failed the CPSS earlier, or were suspended from flying training at the Air Force Academy, cannot apply for the Flying Branch.
- The form asks for your aggregate 10+2 and graduation percentages and your Physics and Mathematics marks, so keep your mark sheets ready. CGPA is converted as per your university’s scheme, or multiplied by 10 if there is none.
AFCAT 1 2027 Application Fee and How to Apply
The examination fee for AFCAT Entry is ₹550 plus 18% GST and it is non-refundable. No fee is charged for NCC Special Entry or GATE Score Entry. Payment is online only, through net banking, debit card, credit card or UPI. Cash, cheque and demand draft are not accepted.
The application process has two steps:
- Sign-up/registration: enter your full name (as in the Class 10 certificate), mobile number and email ID, verify both through OTP and submit. The Application Sequence Number (user ID) and password are sent to your email and mobile.
- Application form: log in, fill in personal, communication and qualification details, choose your course preferences and exam centre, upload your documents, preview and submit, then pay the fee. The form is auto-submitted after successful payment. Print and keep a copy.
| Document to Upload | Format | File Size |
|---|---|---|
| Recent passport-size colour photograph (light background) | JPG/JPEG | 100 KB to 200 KB |
| Signature (black ink on white paper) | JPG/JPEG | 80 KB to 150 KB |
| Thumb impression (left thumb for men, right thumb for women) | JPG/JPEG | 50 KB to 100 KB |
Aadhaar is mandatory for registration. Once the fee is paid, no corrections are allowed. If you need to change something, the only option is to register again with a different email ID and pay the fee again, and only your latest application against an Aadhaar number will be considered. For technical help, the notification lists the AFCAT Help Desk (+91 9513252077, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Saturday) and the helpdesk email [email protected].
AFCAT 1 2027 Exam Pattern and Syllabus
| Feature | Details (AFCAT 01/2027) |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online, objective type |
| Subjects | General Awareness, Verbal Ability in English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test |
| Number of questions | 100 |
| Maximum marks | 300 |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Marking scheme | +3 for each correct answer, −1 for each wrong answer, 0 for unattempted |
| Language | English only |
Marks are normalised if the exam runs in more than one shift. As per the syllabus, General Awareness covers history, geography, polity, economy, science, current affairs and defence; English covers comprehension, error detection, synonyms and antonyms, idioms and cloze tests; Numerical Ability is of Matriculation level; and the Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test covers verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Other subjects are of graduation level.
Exam Cities, AFSB and Training
The notification lists more than 100 tentative exam cities, from Delhi and NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru to Leh, Port Blair and Imphal. Requests to change the centre will not be entertained, so choose carefully.
Candidates who clear the written exam, along with NCC Special Entry and shortlisted GATE Score Entry candidates, are called to an Air Force Selection Board at Dehradun (1 AFSB), Mysuru (2 AFSB), Gandhinagar (3 AFSB), Varanasi (4 AFSB) or Guwahati (5 AFSB). Candidates choose their AFSB date and venue on the AFCAT portal to generate the call-up letter. The final merit list is based on the total marks in the written exam and AFSB tests, followed by medical fitness.
| Training Detail | As per Notification |
|---|---|
| Start of training | First week of January 2028 |
| Duration – Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) | About 74 weeks |
| Duration – Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | About 50 weeks |
| Stipend during training | ₹56,100 per month (fixed) for Flight Cadets |
| Pay on commissioning (Flying Officer) | ₹56,100 – 1,77,500 (Level 10) plus MSP of ₹15,500 and allowances |
| SSC tenure | 14 years for Flying; 10 years for Ground Duty, extendable by 4 years |
For fitness, the notification suggests running up to 4 km in 15 minutes, 20 push-ups and sit-ups, 8 chin-ups, 3 to 4 metres of rope climbing and a 25-metre swim.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the AFCAT 1 Notification 2027 out?
Yes. The detailed AFCAT 01/2027 notification PDF is available in the News section of the official AFCAT portal, afcat.edcil.co.in, and the online application link is live from 12 November 2026.
2. What is the AFCAT 1 2027 exam date?
The online AFCAT 01/2027 exam will be held on 31 January 2027, a Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Candidates must report by 8:00 AM, and the last entry time is 9:00 AM.
3. What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 1 2027?
The last date is 11 December 2026, and the application window closes at 11:30 PM. Registration opened on 12 November 2026 at 11:00 AM.
4. How many vacancies are there in AFCAT 1 2027?
The notification lists 268 tentative vacancies through AFCAT Entry and 16 through GATE Score Entry, a total of 284, plus NCC Special Entry seats calculated as a percentage of CDSE and AFCAT vacancies.
5. When will the AFCAT 1 2027 admit card be released?
The admit card can be downloaded from the official portal from 11:00 AM on 27 January 2027, four days before the exam.
6. Can final-year students apply for AFCAT 1 2027?
Yes, as long as they have no current backlog when they apply. They must submit proof of completing their final exams by 30 November 2027.
Conclusion
The AFCAT 1 Notification 2027 settles the key questions for this cycle: registration is open from 12 November to 11 December 2026, the admit card comes out on 27 January 2027, and the online exam is on Sunday, 31 January 2027. There are 284 tentative seats across AFCAT and GATE entries, with the course starting at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal in January 2028. Check your date of birth and branch-wise qualification against the notification, keep your photograph, signature and thumb impression ready in the right sizes, and submit your form well before the last date.
We will update this page if the IAF issues a corrigendum or announces the result and AFSB schedule for AFCAT 01/2027.
