AFCAT 01/2027 Registration Opens: Apply by 11 December, Exam 31 Jan

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has opened online applications for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2027. According to the AFCAT 01/2027 notification, applications can be submitted on afcat.edcil.co.in from 11:00 am on 12 November 2026 until 11:30 pm on 11 December 2026. The online exam will be held on Sunday, 31 January 2027.

AFCAT 01/2027 selects men and women as Group 'A' gazetted officers in the Flying branch and the Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) branches, for courses starting in January 2028. The same notification also covers the NCC Special Entry and the GATE score entry for the technical branch.

Key dates

Who can apply

• Age, Flying branch: 20 to 24 years as on 1 January 2028, that is, born between 2 January 2004 and 1 January 2008. Holders of a valid commercial pilot licence from the DGCA get relaxation up to 26 years.
• Age, Ground Duty branches: 20 to 26 years as on 1 January 2028, that is, born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2008.
• Flying branch qualification: Physics and Mathematics at 10+2, plus a three-year degree in any discipline or a four-year BE/BTech.
• Candidates must be unmarried when the course starts, and may not marry during training.

Vacancies

For the Flying branch, the notification lists 28 Short Service Commission vacancies for men and 8 for women. Vacancies are also listed for Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics and Mechanical), Weapon Systems, Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education and Meteorology. The IAF says all vacancies are tentative and depend on its needs in January 2028.

Exam pattern and fee

The AFCAT is a two-hour online test of 100 objective questions for 300 marks, in English only. It covers general awareness, verbal ability in English, numerical ability, reasoning and military aptitude. Each correct answer earns three marks and one mark is deducted for each wrong answer. The fee is Rs 550 plus 18% GST, paid online; NCC Special Entry candidates do not pay it.

What to do now

Check your date of birth and degree against the branch you want, then register on afcat.edcil.co.in before 11:30 pm on 11 December 2026. On exam day, carry a printout of the e-admit card and your original Aadhaar card. Our AFCAT 01/2027 page has the dates and the full exam details.

Source: Indian Air Force, AFCAT 01/2027 notification, November 2026.