IAF Agniveer Vayu 2026
– Complete Preparation Guide
Join the Indian Air Force for a 4-year engagement under the Agnipath Scheme. Open to 12th pass (PCM/PCBio/any stream) and Diploma holders. Intake 02/2027 notification is out — apply 6–26 July 2026, online exam 22–23 September 2026. Vacancies are allocated state-wise as per service requirement.
1📅 Important Dates – IAF Agniveer Vayu 2026
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Released (Intake 02/2027) | June 2026 | Completed |
| Online Registration Open | 06 – 26 July 2026 | Open Now |
| Last Date to Apply | 26 July 2026 (2300 hr) | Upcoming |
| Admit Card (Phase-I) | 48–72 hrs before exam | TBN |
| Phase 1 – Online Test (STAR) | 22–23 September 2026 | Upcoming |
| Phase 2 – PFT & Adaptability Tests | After Phase-I result – TBN | TBN |
| Phase 3 – Medical Examination | After Phase-II – TBN | TBN |
| Provisional Select List (PSL) | Last week of May 2027 | TBN |
| Enrolment List | After 01 June 2027 | TBN |
Registration and exam dates are confirmed from the official Intake 02/2027 notification. Post-exam stages (PFT, Medical, PSL) are TBN. Verify at iafrecruitment.edcil.co.in before applying.
2🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Age Relaxation
No category-based age relaxation. Under the Agnipath scheme, every applicant — General, OBC, SC, ST or EWS — must be born within the same date-of-birth window (01 Jul 2005 – 01 Jan 2010). There is no SC/ST, OBC, EWS, J&K-domicile or ex-servicemen age relaxation for Agniveer Vayu; the scheme falls outside the usual reservation framework.
Verify the exact date-of-birth range in the official Intake 02/2027 notification at iafrecruitment.edcil.co.in.
3✈️ Trades, Eligibility & Vacancies
| Trade Group | Educational Qualification | Vayu Sainik Type |
|---|---|---|
| Science Subjects with Maths (STM) | 12th PCM with 50% aggregate (Maths & Physics mandatory), 50% English | Technical Vayu Sainik |
| Science Subjects without Maths (STNM) | 12th (PCBio) or (PCBio+Maths) with 50% aggregate, 50% English; or 3-yr Diploma in relevant engineering | Technical Vayu Sainik |
| Other than Science Subjects (O/STM) | 12th (any stream) with 50% aggregate, 50% English | Non-Technical Vayu Sainik |
4Selection Process
5📋 Phase 1 – Online Exam Pattern
The online test duration depends on the group applied for: 60 minutes for Science / Group X (English + Physics + Maths), 45 minutes for Other than Science / Group Y (English + RAGA), and 85 minutes for candidates opting both groups (all four papers). All questions are MCQ. Marking: +1 for a correct answer, −¼ (0.25) for each wrong answer, 0 for unattempted.
| Subject / Paper | Questions | Marks | Applicable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 20 | 20 | All streams |
| Physics | 25 | 25 | Science (Group X) |
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | Science with Maths (Group X) |
| Reasoning & General Awareness (RAGA) | 30 | 30 | Other than Science (Group Y) |
6🏃 Phase 2 – Physical Fitness & Tests
Physical Fitness Test (PFT) – Male Candidates
| Activity | Standard / Timing | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 km Run (PFT-I) | Within 6 min 30 sec | Qualifying |
| 10 Push-ups | Full range of motion | Qualifying |
| 10 Sit-ups | Correct technique | Qualifying |
| 20 Squats (Uthe-Baithe) | Full depth | Qualifying |
Physical Fitness Test (PFT) – Female Candidates
| Activity | Standard / Timing | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 km Run (PFT-I) | Within 8 minutes | Qualifying |
| 10 Sit-ups | Correct technique | Qualifying |
| 15 Squats (Uthe-Baithe) | Full depth | Qualifying |
A written group task assessing situational judgment, problem-solving ability, and adaptability to IAF environment. Qualifying in nature.
A practical interactive task assessing group coordination, communication, and adaptability. Conducted on the same day as AT-1. Qualifying in nature.
⚠️ Physical standards may vary slightly by cycle. Always verify at the official AFSTC letter sent to shortlisted candidates.
7💰 Salary, Package & Benefits
| Year | Gross Package | Seva Nidhi (30%) | In-Hand Salary | Annual CTC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ₹30,000 | ₹9,000 | ~₹21,000 | ₹4.76 Lakh |
| Year 2 | ₹33,000 | ₹9,900 | ~₹23,100 | ₹5.24 Lakh |
| Year 3 | ₹36,500 | ₹10,950 | ~₹25,550 | ₹5.80 Lakh |
| Year 4 | ₹40,000 | ₹12,000 | ~₹28,000 | ₹6.92 Lakh |
Other Benefits & Allowances
8After 4 Years – Career Pathways
Regular IAF Enrolment (25%)
Top 25% performers by merit and medical fitness are considered for regular IAF enrolment. Full career of 15–20 years, higher pay scales, pension, and promotion opportunities up to Sergeant and beyond.
Seva Nidhi + Civilian Career (75%)
Receive ₹11.71 lakh tax-free Seva Nidhi, a detailed service certificate, and IAF-recognized technical skills certification. Priority in many state government jobs.
CAPF Priority Hiring
IAF Agniveer completers receive priority consideration and age relaxation for CISF, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles recruitment. Strong employment pipeline after service.
Private Sector & Higher Studies
Several aviation, defence, and manufacturing companies actively recruit Agniveer completers. Many also pursue B.Tech / Diploma via IGNOU or lateral entry programs using their Air Force technical experience.
9🗓️ 90-Day Preparation Plan
Month 1 – Foundations: Build subject basics. For STM: NCERT Physics (Class 11–12) + R.S. Aggarwal Maths. For O/STM: Lucent's GK + vocabulary building. All streams: Wren & Martin English grammar + Reasoning basics. Run 800 m daily to start building stamina.
Month 2 – Targeted Practice: Begin MCQ practice topic-by-topic with 50–80 questions per day. Focus heavily on areas with high weightage. Start timed full-paper mocks (60–85 min). Increase run to 1.6 km; add push-ups and sit-ups daily.
Month 3 – Mock Tests & Speed: Solve 5 full mock tests per week. Analyse wrong answers daily. Aim to clear all subject cut-offs in each mock. Run 1.6 km under 8 min (male) / 10 min (female). 10+ push-ups and 10+ sit-ups without rest.
Final 2 Weeks – Revision & Rest: Stop new topics. Revise notes, attempt 2 mocks per day focusing on accuracy. Maintain physical fitness routine but avoid overexertion. Get a full night's sleep in the 3 days before the exam.
10📚 Recommended Books
| Book | Author | Subject | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective English for Competitive Exams | S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) | English | Buy |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand) | Mathematics (STM) | Buy |
| NCERT Physics (Class 11 & 12) | NCERT | Physics (STM/STNM) | Free → |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Reasoning & Aptitude | Buy |
| Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent Publications | General Knowledge | Buy |
| IAF Agniveer Vayu Previous Year Papers | Arihant / Oswaal | Previous Papers | — |
| IAF Agniveer Vayu (Phase 1) 2026 — Group X & Y | PYPs, Topicwise Theory & 5+ Mock Tests | Arihant | Complete Guide (Group X & Y) | Buy |
Buying through these book links helps keep TaiyarHo.in free for everyone. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
IAF Agniveer-specific previous year papers are available from Arihant and Oswaal. NCERT Physics is the single most important resource for STM candidates.