Overview
Agniveer Vayu recruits airmen-equivalent personnel into the Indian Air Force under the Agnipath scheme, supporting technical, operational and administrative functions across IAF stations. Selection begins with an Online Written Test covering English, Physics, Mathematics and a Reasoning & General Awareness component (weighted by the candidate's specific stream/qualification), followed by Physical Fitness Test standards, an Adaptability Test assessing suitability for service life, and a final Medical Examination — a comparatively broader assessment pipeline than the other two services' Agnipath entries.
What's New in the 2026 Cycle
What changed in the 2026 cycle
- Combines academic testing (English, Physics, Maths) with a distinct Adaptability Test assessing psychological and service-life suitability, unique among the three Agnipath entries.
- Eligibility accepts multiple educational pathways — Science-stream Class 12, Maths-stream technical Class 12, or an Engineering Diploma — each mapped to different vacancy pools.
- Physical Fitness Test standards include running, and may include additional tasks depending on the specific recruitment cycle.
- Selected Agniveer Vayu personnel undergo initial training before being assigned to specific trades.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 17.5–21 years (as per the specific notification) |
| Educational Qualification | Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (Science stream), or Class 12 with Mathematics from an approved technical stream, or a 2/3-year Diploma in Engineering — specific eligibility varies by intake |
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Application Fee | As specified in the current notification |
Agniveer Vayu Exam Pattern
The Agniveer Vayu selection process runs through online test + physical fitness + adaptability + medical. Each stage has its own timing, marking scheme and qualifying rules, detailed below.
Online Written Test
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | — | Qualifying |
| Physics | — | Qualifying |
| Mathematics | — | Qualifying |
| Reasoning & General Awareness | — | Qualifying |
Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Run and other physical tasks | — | Qualifying |
Adaptability Test
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptability & suitability assessment | — | Qualifying |
Medical Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Medical fitness assessment | — | Qualifying |
Agniveer Vayu Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus
Below is the complete topic-wise Agniveer Vayu syllabus for every subject tested across all stages, with a short note on what each section actually rewards — use this to build a section-wise study plan rather than relying on generic topic summaries.
English
A dedicated, standalone section unlike some other defence exams — steady grammar and comprehension practice pays off directly.
- Grammar & usage
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
- Sentence correction
Physics
Draws directly from the Class 11–12 syllabus — systematic textbook revision is the most reliable approach.
- Class 11–12 level mechanics, electricity & magnetism
- Optics & modern physics basics
- Units & measurements
Mathematics
Rewards strong fundamentals — consistent timed practice beats last-minute advanced-topic cramming.
- Algebra, trigonometry
- Geometry & mensuration
- Calculus basics (for relevant streams)
- Arithmetic at Class 11–12 level
Reasoning & General Awareness
Broad current-affairs and reasoning mix — daily habits beat concentrated study sessions.
- Verbal & non-verbal reasoning
- Current affairs — national & international, defence-related news
- General science & static GK
Adaptability Test
Not an academic test — genuine self-awareness and honest responses matter more than trying to guess 'correct' answers.
- Situational judgement relevant to service life
- Psychological suitability assessment
- Behavioural and attitude-based questions
Selection Process
- Online Written Test — English, Physics, Mathematics, Reasoning & General Awareness.
- Physical Fitness Test (PFT).
- Adaptability Test.
- Medical Examination.
- Final merit and enrolment based on combined performance across all stages.
Salary & Job Profile
Agniveer Vayu personnel receive the same tri-services Agnipath pay structure — a starting monthly package of approximately ₹30,000, rising to around ₹40,000 by the fourth year, with the Agniveer Corpus Fund contribution and Seva Nidhi package payable on completion of the four-year tenure.
Best Books for Agniveer Vayu Preparation
- NCERT Physics & Mathematics (Class 11–12)
- Objective General English — S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- Lucent's General Knowledge
- Agniveer Vayu Guide — Arihant/Kiran Publications
Previous Cut-off Trends
Approximate — always verify officially
Agniveer Vayu written test cut-offs vary by recruitment cycle, category and the specific educational stream/vacancy pool applied under. Scores are typically normalised across exam shifts — always check the official result release for exact figures.
Preparation Tips
- Revise Class 11–12 Physics and Maths systematically if applying under the Science stream, since the written test draws directly from this syllabus.
- English is a distinct, dedicated section in Agniveer Vayu unlike some other defence exams — build steady grammar and comprehension practice.
- Build physical fitness in parallel with academic prep, since PFT training takes months to show real improvement.
- Stay authentic in mock Adaptability Test practice — the goal is genuine self-awareness, not memorised 'correct' answers.
Exam Day Guidelines
- Carry the Document Checker and valid original photo ID to the exam centre.
- Begin physical training well ahead of the PFT date, since it's a hard gate before the Adaptability Test.
- Approach the Adaptability Test honestly and consistently — it's designed to assess genuine suitability, not to be 'gamed'.
- No electronic devices are allowed inside the exam hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a psychological/situational assessment stage unique to the Air Force's Agnipath entry, designed to evaluate a candidate's suitability for Air Force service life beyond academic and physical criteria.
Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (Science stream), Class 12 with Mathematics from an approved technical stream, or a 2/3-year Engineering Diploma, depending on the specific intake.
This is specified in each notification and should be verified against the current official notice, since it can vary by cycle.
Generally 17.5 to 21 years as per the specific notification, though this can vary slightly by recruitment cycle.
Related Exams
Back to Syllabus Hub — browse all government exam syllabus pagesSyllabus content on this page is compiled and reviewed against the official Indian Air Force notification as of 6 Apr 2026. Exam patterns, vacancies, salary figures and cut-offs are subject to change — always cross-check with the official notification at agnipathvayu.cdac.in before applying.