How to Apply for AFCAT 1 2027: Step-by-Step Form Guide, Photo Size and Fee

The AFCAT 01/2027 form opened today, 12 November 2026, at 11:00 AM, and it closes on 11 December 2026 at 11:30 PM. That sounds like plenty of time. It is, unless your photo is the wrong size, your Aadhaar card is not to hand, or you find out on the last night that the form will not let you edit anything after you submit.

Table of Contents

This guide walks through the form exactly as the official AFCAT 01/2027 notification describes it, so you can fill it in once, calmly, and get it right.

AFCAT 01/2027 key dates and facts

Item	AFCAT 01/2027 (official)
Online form	12 Nov 2026 (11:00 AM) – 11 Dec 2026 (11:30 PM)
Exam date	31 January 2027 (Sunday)
Course begins	January 2028
Apply at	afcat.edcil.co.in
Fee	Rs. 550 + 18% GST (no fee for NCC Special Entry)
Helpdesk	+91 9513252077 (9 AM – 6 PM, Monday to Saturday) and afcathelpdesk@edcil.co.in

For vacancies, age limits and the exam pattern, see our AFCAT 1 2027 notification guide.

Keep these ready before you start

Aadhaar card – registration is not possible without it. The form asks for the last four digits.
A personal email ID and mobile number that will stay active until selection ends. Your user ID, password and every update will come there.
Your Class 10 certificate – your name and date of birth must match it exactly. The IAF accepts no other proof of age.
Degree details – college, university, aggregate percentage, and for final-year students the likely result date.
Three scanned files – photograph, signature and thumb impression, in the sizes below.

Photo, signature and thumb impression sizes

Most AFCAT form trouble starts here. These are the official specifications:

File	Size	Format and rules
Photograph	100 KB – 200 KB	JPG/JPEG. Recent passport-size colour photo, light background, looking straight at the camera with a relaxed face. Name the file Passport Photograph.jpg
Signature	80 KB – 150 KB	JPG/JPEG. Sign in black ink on white paper and scan only the signature area. Name it Signature.jpg
Thumb impression	50 KB – 100 KB	JPG/JPEG (the notice also mentions PDF). Men use the left thumb, women the right, pressed on an ink pad and then on plain paper. Name it Thumb Impression.jpg

Use the same photograph throughout the selection process, including at the AFSB. Keep a few prints of it.

Step 1: Sign up

Go to afcat.edcil.co.in and open the AFCAT 01/2027 application link.
Enter your full name (as in your Class 10 certificate), mobile number and email ID, then click Generate OTP.
Enter the two OTPs, one from your phone and one from your email, and the CAPTCHA.
Tick I Agree, click Re-verify, check every value, and press Submit.
Your Application Sequence Number (user ID) and password arrive by email and SMS. Change the default password when you log in again.

Step 2: Fill in the application

Click Go To Application and complete each section:

Personal and communication details – double-check your date of birth. A mismatch with your Class 10 certificate disqualifies you at any stage.
Qualification details – answer the “current backlog” question honestly. Final-year students can apply only with no backlog at the time of applying.
Course preference – you must rank all the courses you are eligible for (Flying, Ground Duty Technical, Ground Duty Non-Technical); the form will not move on otherwise. Think about your real order of choice. The IAF can still allot a branch based on suitability and vacancies.
Additional details and uploads – the three scanned files above.

Then click Preview. This is your last chance to correct anything. After you click Submit, the form cannot be edited.

Step 3: Pay the fee and print

After you submit, the portal takes you to the payment gateway. Pay Rs. 550 + 18% GST by net banking, debit or credit card, or UPI. NCC Special Entry candidates do not pay this fee.
The fee is not refunded in any case, so do not pay twice.
Once payment succeeds, the form is submitted automatically. Press Print and save the PDF, and keep a printout, because you will need it later.

If you submit more than one application, only the latest one against your Aadhaar number counts, and the earlier fees are lost.

Five mistakes we would avoid

Leaving it to the last week. The notice itself warns of server slowdowns near the deadline.
A different spelling of your name from your Class 10 certificate.
A selfie or a cropped group photo instead of a proper passport-size photo with a light background.
Using a parent’s phone or email that might not be checked later.
Ignoring the tattoo and medical rules until the AFSB. Read our tattoo policy guide now, not in January.

After you apply

The exam is on 31 January 2027, about eleven weeks away. Admit card details will come through your login and registered email. Use the time well. Our AFCAT coaching in Dehradun page has details of the written exam and AFSB preparation we offer.

Final words

Filling in a form is a small thing, but for many of you this will be the first official step towards a uniform. Do it carefully, do it early, and then put the form out of your mind and start preparing.

Source (checked 12 November 2026): IAF notification for AFCAT 01/2027 on afcat.edcil.co.in. If anything on the portal differs from this guide, follow the portal.

Get free guidance for AFCAT 1 2027

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date to apply for AFCAT 1 2027?

The online form is open from 12 November 2026 (11:00 AM) to 11 December 2026 (11:30 PM) on afcat.edcil.co.in.

What is the photo size for the AFCAT form?

The photograph must be a recent passport-size colour photo with a light background, between 100 KB and 200 KB in JPG/JPEG format. The signature must be 80–150 KB and the thumb impression 50–100 KB.

What is the AFCAT 1 2027 application fee?

Rs. 550 plus 18% GST, paid online by net banking, card or UPI. NCC Special Entry candidates do not pay this fee, and the fee is not refundable.

Can I edit the AFCAT form after submitting?

No. The details cannot be changed after final submission, so use the Preview option and check everything before you submit.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for AFCAT registration?

Yes. The notification says Aadhaar is mandatory for online registration, and if you submit more than one application, only the latest one against your Aadhaar number is considered.