Indian Air Force AFCAT 2027 Notification: 284 Vacancies Open for Aspiring Officers
Indian Air Force AFCAT Recruitment Announcement
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially announced the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) for 2027. This recruitment initiative aims to fill 284 positions across both the Flying Branch and Ground Duty branches.
This is an excellent chance for young aspirants who wish to serve their country and become officers in the IAF. The notification details the availability of 284 roles in the Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) sectors.
The recruitment is intended for courses starting in January 2028, and applications are open to both male and female candidates. The online application process commenced on November 12, 2026, and will remain open until December 11, 2026.
Important Dates for Recruitment
Recruitment Timeline
- Date of Notification Release: November 11, 2026
- Start Date for Online Applications: November 12, 2026 (from 11:00 AM)
- Last Date for Online Applications: December 11, 2026 (until 11:30 PM)
- Date of Online Examination: January 31, 2027
- Course Commencement Date: January 2028
Vacancy Breakdown by Branch
This recruitment drive encompasses roles under both Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission. The breakdown of vacancies is as follows:
- 36 positions in the Flying Branch
- 124 positions in Ground Duty (Technical) — specifically AE(L) and AE(M)
- 108 positions in Ground Duty (Non-Technical) across various streams: Weapon Systems, Administration, Logistics, Accounts, Education, and Meteorology
- 16 positions for Ground Duty (Technical) through GATE score entry
- Reserved positions for NCC Special Entry (Flying Branch) based on a specified percentage
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit and Marital Status
The age criteria will be assessed as of January 1, 2028. Applicants for the Flying Branch must be aged between 20 and 24 years, while those with a valid Commercial Pilot License can apply up to 26 years. For Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical), candidates should be between 20 and 26 years. Additionally, applicants must be unmarried at the time of course commencement, as marriage is not allowed during training.
Educational Requirements
Candidates for the Flying Branch must have completed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics, along with a 3-year graduation degree or a 4-year BE/B.Tech from a recognized institution. For Ground Duty (Technical) roles, candidates need to have completed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics and possess a relevant BE/B.Tech degree. The educational qualifications for Ground Duty (Non-Technical) vary: a graduation degree is necessary for Weapon Systems and Administration, a degree in Commerce/Finance for Accounts, and a post-graduate degree for Education.
Application Process
Steps to Apply
To apply, candidates should follow these steps:
- Visit the official Indian Air Force website: afcat.edcil.co.in.
- Click on the application link for AFCAT 1/2027.
- Register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Log in with your user ID and password.
- Fill in your personal and educational details, and select your preferred branch.
- Upload the necessary documents and review the application form.
- Pay the application fee and submit the form.
