Updated: August 2026 — AFCAT 1 2027 notification not yet released. Age bands are confirmed from the AFCAT pattern; exact date-of-birth windows shown as expected for the 2027 course (commencing January 2028), based on the AFCAT 1 2026 notification.
AFCAT 1 2027 age limit: for the Flying Branch you must be 20–24 years (DGCA CPL holders relaxable up to 26), and for Ground Duty (Technical & Non-Technical) 20–26 years, reckoned as on the date of course commencement (expected 1 January 2028). Expected date-of-birth window: Flying — born 02 Jan 2004 to 01 Jan 2008 (CPL: 02 Jan 2002 to 01 Jan 2008); Ground Duty — born 02 Jan 2002 to 01 Jan 2008. These DOB windows are expected (shifted +1 year from AFCAT 1 2026) and will be confirmed in the official notification. Reviewed by the NCA Academy faculty team, coaching defence aspirants since 1967.
AFCAT 1 2027 date-of-birth window by branch
Your eligibility is decided by your date of birth as on the course-commencement date (expected 1 January 2028). The table gives the exact born-between window per branch, following the AFCAT 1 2026 notification shifted forward by one year (expected).
| Branch | Age band | Born between (expected) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying | 20–24 yrs | 02 Jan 2004 – 01 Jan 2008 | Reckoned on course commencement |
| Flying (valid DGCA CPL) | up to 26 yrs | 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 | CPL relaxation only |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 20–26 yrs | 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 | — |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) | 20–26 yrs | 02 Jan 2002 – 01 Jan 2008 | — |
Reference — AFCAT 1 2026 (course 1 Jan 2027): Flying born 02 Jan 2003–01 Jan 2007; Ground Duty born 02 Jan 2001–01 Jan 2007. Only the date of birth in your Matriculation certificate is accepted. Confirm on afcat.cdac.in.
Eligible on age? Confirm your prep level with a full AFCAT paper.
Take the free AFCAT mock test →Am I eligible? AFCAT 1 2027 education criteria
Beyond age, AFCAT 1 2027 requires a graduate (or engineering) degree with branch-specific subjects. The Flying and Technical branches need Maths and Physics; Non-Technical branches accept graduates and post-graduates in notified streams. See the table below.
| Branch | Qualification | Minimum marks | Mandatory subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying | 3-year graduate degree (any stream) | 60% in graduation | Maths & Physics at 10+2 (50% each) |
| Ground Duty (Technical) | 4-year engineering/B.Tech in notified streams | 60% in engineering | As per stream (AE-L / AE-M lists) |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) — Admin/Logistics | Graduate (any) / with 60% | 60% | — |
| Ground Duty (Non-Technical) — Accounts | B.Com / graduate with maths at 10+2 | 60% | As notified |
| Weapon Systems (WS) Branch | Graduate with Maths & Physics at 10+2, or Engineering | 60% | Maths & Physics at 10+2 |
For the full branch-wise structure and marking, see our AFCAT exam pattern guide and the pay details on the AFCAT salary page. Train with the best AFCAT coaching in India — AFCAT coaching in Chandigarh and online AFCAT coaching.
Other AFCAT 1 2027 eligibility criteria
You must be a citizen of India. Candidates below 25 years of age must be unmarried at course commencement; marriage during training is not permitted. Basic physical and medical standards apply, with the Flying branch having the strictest vision requirements.
- Nationality: Indian citizen only.
- Marital status: Candidates below 25 must be unmarried at course start.
- Height: minimum 162.5 cm for Flying; branch-specific for Ground Duty.
- Vision: Flying needs 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, correctable to 6/6; no history of disqualifying eye surgery beyond permitted norms.
- Medical: free from disqualifying conditions; detailed standards apply at the AFSB/medical stage.
Special cases: final-year students, NCC, CPL & attempts
Final-year students can apply for AFCAT 1 2027 if they submit proof of degree completion by the notified date. There is no limit on the number of AFCAT attempts — only the age bar applies. NCC Air Wing Senior Division C certificate holders get benefits for the Flying branch, and DGCA CPL holders get the age relaxation shown above.
- Final-year students: eligible with proof of passing by the cut-off date.
- NCC C certificate (Air Wing Sr Div): eligible for AFCAT-free Flying entry as notified.
- CPL holders: Flying age relaxed to 26.
- Number of attempts: unlimited within the age band — a common relief for repeat aspirants.
AFCAT 1 2027 timeline
The AFCAT 1 2027 notification is expected in November–December 2026, with the online exam expected in February 2027, based on the AFCAT 1 2026 cycle. All dates below are expected until the IAF publishes the official notification.
| Stage | Expected date (per AFCAT 1 2026) |
|---|---|
| Notification | November–December 2026 |
| Application window | Nov–Dec 2026 (~30 days) |
| Admit card | Late January 2027 |
| AFCAT 1 2027 online exam | February 2027 |
| AFSB Interview | From April 2027 |
| Merit list / joining | Course commencement January 2028 |
Eligible? Here’s the 8-week AFCAT plan
Once your age and education check out, eight focused weeks are enough for AFCAT. Build fundamentals for three weeks, practise sectionals and current affairs for three, then peak with full mocks. This is the structure NCA faculty use in classroom and live-online batches.
| Week | Focus | NCA resource |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Numerical Ability, Reasoning, English, GK fundamentals | Classroom (Mohali) / live-online lectures |
| 4–6 | Daily sectionals + current affairs + weak-area fixing | Ghatak current-affairs + topic tests |
| 7–8 | Full-length mocks, revision, attempt strategy (+3/−1) | Free & graded AFCAT mock tests |
| Parallel | AFSB / OLQ awareness | SSB mentoring by ex-officers |
Start with a diagnostic free AFCAT mock test to find weak areas before you build the plan.
Ready to convert eligibility into a selection with a structured AFCAT 1 2027 plan?
Explore NCA’s AFCAT program →Frequently Asked Questions — AFCAT 1 2027 Age & Eligibility
What is the age limit for AFCAT 1 2027 for flying branch?
For the AFCAT 1 2027 Flying Branch, the age limit is 20 to 24 years (relaxable up to 26 for valid DGCA CPL holders), reckoned on the course-commencement date. The expected date-of-birth window is 02 January 2004 to 01 January 2008.
Can I apply for AFCAT at 27?
No. The Ground Duty upper age limit is 26 years and Flying is 24 (26 with a CPL). At 27 you would be over the AFCAT age band unless a specific relaxation in the official notification applies.
Is there any age relaxation in AFCAT?
AFCAT has no category-based (OBC/SC/ST) age relaxation. The only relaxation is for the Flying Branch, where a valid and current DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence raises the upper age limit to 26.
Can final year students apply for AFCAT 1 2027?
Yes. Final-year students can apply for AFCAT 1 2027 provided they submit proof of degree completion with the required marks by the date specified in the official notification.
How many times can I attempt AFCAT?
There is no limit on the number of AFCAT attempts. You can appear as many times as you wish, as long as you remain within the prescribed age band for your branch.
What percentage is required in graduation for AFCAT?
A minimum of 60% in graduation is required, along with at least 50% each in Maths and Physics at the 10+2 level for the Flying and Weapon Systems branches.
When will the AFCAT 1 2027 notification come?
The AFCAT 1 2027 notification is expected in November–December 2026, with the online exam expected in February 2027, based on the AFCAT 1 2026 cycle. Confirm on afcat.cdac.in.
Reviewed by the NCA Academy faculty team, coaching defence aspirants since 1967. Confirm final criteria on the official portal afcat.cdac.in.
