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. Expected 3,000–5,000 vacancies for the 2026 cycle.
1📅 Important Dates – IAF Agniveer Vayu 2026
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | Expected: June 2026 | TBN |
| Online Application Opens | Expected: June 2026 | TBN |
| Last Date to Apply | To Be Notified (TBN) | TBN |
| Admit Card Download | To Be Notified (TBN) | TBN |
| Phase 1 – Online Written Exam | Expected: Aug – Sep 2026 | TBN |
| Phase 2 – PFT & Adaptability Tests | After Phase 1 Result – TBN | TBN |
| Medical Examination | After Phase 2 – TBN | TBN |
| Document Verification | After Medical – TBN | TBN |
| Final Merit & Joining | To Be Notified (TBN) | TBN |
⚠️ All 2026 dates are estimated based on previous cycles. TBN = To Be Notified. Verify at agnipathvayu.cdac.in before applying.
2🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Age Relaxation
* No age relaxation is applicable under the Agnipath scheme for most standard categories beyond the above. Verify at agnipathvayu.cdac.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 exam duration is 60 minutes for non-science streams and 85 minutes for science streams. All questions are MCQ. Negative marking applies: each wrong answer deducts ¼ mark.
| Subject / Paper | Questions | Marks | Applicable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 20 | 20 | Common for all |
| Reasoning & Military Aptitude | 30 | 30 | Common for all |
| Physics (STM/STNM only) | 25 | 25 | Science streams |
| Mathematics (STM only) | 25 | 25 | STM stream |
| General Knowledge (O/STM) | 25 | 25 | Non-science stream |
6🏃 Phase 2 – Physical Fitness & Tests
Physical Fitness Test (PFT) – Male Candidates
| Activity | Standard / Timing | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 km Run | Within 8 minutes | 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 | Within 10 minutes | Qualifying |
| 5 Push-ups | Full range of motion | Qualifying |
| 10 Sit-ups | Correct technique | Qualifying |
| 20 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-specific previous year papers are available from Arihant and Oswaal. NCERT Physics is the single most important resource for STM candidates.