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Quick update
The Indian Air Force has published the short notice for AFCAT 01/2027, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry for courses starting in January 2028. Online registration opens on 12 November 2026 at 11 am and closes on 11 December 2026 at 11:30 pm on afcat.edcil.co.in.
If you are a graduate or final-year student between 20 and 26 years old and you want to wear the Air Force uniform as an officer, this is the cycle to watch. The single date to remember is 11 December 2026, the last day to register.
Below are the dates, branches, fee, age limits, pay and the steps to apply. Vacancy numbers and full qualification rules will come in the detailed notification, so we flag those gaps instead of guessing.
Is this for you?
You can apply if you are an Indian citizen (men and women both), unmarried, and fall inside the age band for your branch on 1 January 2028. For the Flying Branch that means a birth date between 2 January 2004 and 1 January 2008. For the Ground Duty branches the window opens up to 2 January 2002.
You should skip this cycle if you were born before 2 January 2002 (unless you hold a valid DGCA commercial pilot licence, which still caps you at 26 for Flying), or if you plan to get married before or during training. The notice is blunt about that: a cadet who marries during training is discharged and has to refund the money spent on them.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Short notice published (Employment News) | November 2026 |
| Online registration opens | 12 November 2026, 11:00 am |
| Last date to register | 11 December 2026, 11:30 pm |
| AFCAT online exam | Check the official notice |
| Training starts at Air Force Academy | First week of January 2028 |
Branches, courses and vacancies
Three entry routes are open in this cycle. The vacancy column in the official notice simply says the numbers will be “as published in notification for induction cycle 01/2027”, so we have not printed any figure. Ignore any totals you see online until then.
| Entry | Branch | Course number | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Flying | 223/28F/SSC/M&W | In detailed notification |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | 222/28T/PC/112AEC/M&W, 222/28T/SSC/112AEC/M&W | In detailed notification |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Admin, Logistics, Accounts, Education, Meteorology | 222/28G/SSC/M&W | In detailed notification |
| AFCAT Entry | Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Weapon Systems | 222/28G/PC/M&W, 222/28G/SSC/M&W | In detailed notification |
| NCC Special Entry | Flying | 223/28F/PC/M, 223/28F/SSC/M&W | 10% of CDSE seats for PC, 10% of AFCAT seats for SSC |
| GATE Score Entry | Ground Duty (Technical) | 222/28T/PC/112AEC/M&W, 222/28T/SSC/112AEC/M&W | In detailed notification |
Two seats from the Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vacancies are reserved for Law-qualified candidates.
Application fee
| Entry | Fee |
|---|---|
| AFCAT Entry | Rs. 550 + GST (non-refundable) |
| NCC Special Entry | Nil |
| GATE Score Entry | Nil |
Age limit and eligibility
Age as on 1 January 2028
- Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years (born 2 January 2004 to 1 January 2008).
- Flying Branch with a valid DGCA commercial pilot licence: up to 26 years (born 2 January 2002 to 1 January 2008).
- Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical), including GATE Score Entry: 20 to 26 years (born 2 January 2002 to 1 January 2008).
- Indian citizen under the Citizenship Act, 1955. Men and women can both apply.
- Unmarried at the start of the course, and no marriage during training.
- Aadhaar card is mandatory for registration.
Qualification rules are not in the short notice
The degree, subject and percentage rules for each branch, plus the physical and medical standards, will be in the detailed notification on the website. Read that before you pay the fee. Whatever you type in the form is treated as final, and the notice says no changes will be allowed later, so enter your date of birth exactly as it is in your certificates.
Type of commission and pay
Permanent Commission officers serve until the retirement age for their rank. Short Service Commission works differently by branch. In the Flying Branch, SSC is for 14 years from commissioning. In the Ground Duty branches, SSC starts at 10 years and can be stretched by 4 more, depending on vacancies, your merit and service needs. SSC officers do not get a pension.
| Rank | Pay (Defence Matrix) | Level | MSP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Officer | Rs. 56,100 to 1,77,500 | 10 | Rs. 15,500 |
During training, flight cadets get a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100 a month. Training is 74 weeks for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) and 50 weeks for Ground Duty (Non-Technical). Branch allowances such as flying, technical and risk and hardship allowance come on top of pay after commissioning.
Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course and marriage is not permitted during training.IAF short notice, para 16
Selection process
- Online testAFCAT Entry candidates sit an online exam at centres across India. NCC and GATE entry candidates do not pay the exam fee.
- AFSB testingShortlisted candidates report to an Air Force Selection Board. The IAF pays AC-III or AC chair car fare if you are appearing for the first time for that entry.
- MedicalsYou go through a medical exam against IAF standards. You may be tested for drugs at the medical and again during training.
- Merit list and joiningFinal selection depends on merit and vacancies, with joining instructions for the January 2028 course.
How to apply
- Open the portalGo to afcat.edcil.co.in on or after 12 November 2026, 11 am.
- Pick the right tabThere are separate tabs for AFCAT Entry, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry. If you qualify for more than one, register separately for each.
- Fill in detailsUse an email ID and mobile number you will keep active for the whole process. Check your date of birth twice.
- Pay and submitAFCAT Entry candidates pay Rs. 550 + GST online. Save the final form.
Tattoo check before you apply
Permanent tattoos are allowed only on the inner forearm (elbow to wrist) and the back of the hand. Small religious symbols or names are fine. Tattoos anywhere else are not permitted, so check this before you apply.
Important links
Employment NewsOfficial short notice
AFCAT helpdesk[email protected]
For registration and admit card queries, the notice gives +91 9513252077. For eligibility, AFSB centre, interview date and merit list questions, call 011-23010231 (Extn 7610) or the toll-free number 1800-11-2448.
FAQ
What is the last date for AFCAT 01/2027?
11 December 2026 at 11:30 pm. Registration opens on 12 November 2026 at 11 am.
How many vacancies are there?
The short notice does not give numbers. They will be listed in the detailed notification for induction cycle 01/2027 on the website.
Is there a pension for SSC officers?
No. The notice says SSC officers are not entitled to pension. Permanent Commission may be considered later based on vacancies and merit.
Sources: Indian Air Force short notice for AFCAT 01/2027, NCC Special Entry and GATE Score Entry (CBC 10801/11/0018/2627), published in Employment News; official registration portal afcat.edcil.co.in.
