AIR FORCE COMMON ADMISSION TEST (AFCAT) – 01/2026/ NCC SPECIAL ENTRY

FOR COURSES COMMENCING IN JANUARY 2027

1. Online applications are invited for the courses commencing in January 2027 for grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) in Flying Branch and Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branches. Online applications are also invited for NCC Special Entry Scheme (For flying branch).
2. Branches, Course Number and Vacancies
   

   Entry	Branch	Course Number	Vacancies* Men (SSC)	Women (SSC)
   AFCAT Entry	Flying	221/2FT/SSC/M & W	–	–
   	Ground Duty (Technical)	220/27/TSSC/110AEC/M & W	–	–
   	Ground Duty (Non-Technical)	220/27G/SSC/ M & W	–	–
   NCC Special Entry	Flying	221/27F/PC/M and 221/27F/SSC/M & W	10% seats out of CDSE vacancies for PC and 10% seats out of AFCAT vacancies for SSC	–

   *For vacancies please refer detailed notification on https://afcat.edcil.co.in on 09 Nov 25

3. Type of Commission

   • SSC for Men & Women.
   • The engagement period for Flying Branch SSC officers is fourteen years from the date of Commissioning.
   • The initial tenure for SSC officers in Ground Duty (Tech and Non-Tech) branches would be for a period of ten years. An extension of four years may be granted subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit.
   • Grant of Permanent Commission (PC) (at a later date) would be considered subject to service requirements, availability of vacancies, willingness, suitability and merit and as per prevailing policies on the subject.
   • SSC officers are not entitled for grant of pension.

4. Age

   Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years as on 01 January 2027 i.e. born between 02 January 2003 to 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive). Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 26 years i.e. born between 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive).

   Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) Branches, 20 to 26 years as on 01 January 2027 i.e. born between 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2007 (both dates inclusive).

5. Notification

   Detailed notification is available on https://afcat.edcil.co.in. Candidates are to ensure that they have read and understood the details available in the notification before registering.

6. Physical/Medical Standards, Educational Qualifications and Selection Procedure

   Details on physical/medical standards, educational qualifications and selection procedure are available in detailed notification on the website.

7. Training

   Training will commence in the last week of December 2026 / first week of January 2027 for all courses at Air Force Academy Dundigal (Hyderabad). The duration of training for Flying and Ground Duty (Technical) Branches is 62 weeks and that of Ground Duty (Non-Technical) Branches is 50 weeks at Air Force Training Establishments.

   PAN Card and account in SBI/ Nationalised Bank is mandatory at the time of joining Air Force Academy. Aadhaar Card is mandatory for registration.

8. IAF Offers You Pay on Commissioning (As per 7th CPC)

   Rank	Pay as per Defence Matrix	Level	MSP
   Flying Officer	55,6100 – 177500	10	Rs. 15,500

   Note: Flight Cadets shall receive a fixed stipend of Rs 56,100/- per month during one year of training.

9. Allowances

   On commissioning, in addition to pay, allowances are applicable based on the branch/nature of duty/place of posting e.g. Flying Allowance, Transport Allowance, Technical Allowance, Test Pilot & Flight Test Engineer Allowance Risk and Hardship Allowance etc.

10. Privileges

    Air Force Officers are entitled to furnished accommodation, comprehensive medical cover for self and dependents, Canteen, Officers’ Mess, loans at subsidised rates, LTC etc. Leave (60 days annual and 20 days casual), subject to service exigencies.

11. Insurance

    Rs. 1.25 crore Insurance Cover (on contribution) is applicable to service officer from Air Force Group Insurance Society (AFGIS).

12. Sports and Adventure

    Indian Air Force provides state of the art facilities to play various sports and adventure activities (sky diving, micro light flying, mountaineering, water rafting etc).

13. Important Instructions

    1. Eligible candidates are to register online through separate tabs available for AFCAT Entry/ NCC Special Entry. Candidates eligible for one/more entries are to register separately in each entry.
    2. Tattoos. The policy on permanent body tattoos as follows: Permanent body tattoos are not permitted on any other body part either visible or non-visible part, except on the inner face of forearms i.e. from inside of the elbow to the wrist of both hands… (truncated for brevity)
    3. Tribes with tattoo marks on the face or body as per their existing customs and traditions will be permitted on a case to case basis.
    4. Narcotics. Use/possession of narcotics is banned.
    5. Conduct of Online Testing for AFCAT Examination and Fee Structure. Online testing will be conducted for AFCAT entry… (truncated)
    6. Marital Status. Candidates must be unmarried at the time of commencement of the course…
    7. Candidates are required to maintain their unique registered E-Mail ID and mobile phone number active throughout the selection process.
    8. Information filled by the candidates in the online application form will be considered final.
    9. Travel Allowance (TA) to and fro travelling fare by the shortest route of AC-III Tier/ AC Chair Car or actual normal bus fare will be reimbursed… (truncated)
    10. Query.
    11. Disclaimer.
    12. Statutory Warning.