The Indian Air Force recruits Agniveer Vayu under the Agnipath Scheme for a four-year engagement. It is a Class 12 entry, open to unmarried male and female candidates, and — unusually among defence entries — it accepts candidates from every stream, not only Science.
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Intake 02/2027 is currently open. Applications run from 6 July to 26 July 2026, with the online selection test scheduled for 22 and 23 September 2026.
Two provisions in this recruitment are materially underexplained, and both expand a candidate’s chances: Science candidates may sit both papers in a single sitting, and a three-year engineering diploma qualifies in place of Class 12 with PCM.
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This guide sets out the streams, eligibility, examination pattern, selection sequence, compensation and application process.
Overview
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service | Indian Air Force, Ministry of Defence |
| Entry | Agniveer Vayu, under the Agnipath Scheme |
| Current intake | 02/2027 |
| Application window | 6 July to 26 July 2026 |
| Online test | 22 and 23 September 2026 |
| Qualification | Class 12 (any stream, subject to marks), 3-year Diploma, or 2-year Vocational course |
| Date of birth | Born between 1 July 2005 and 1 January 2010, both dates inclusive |
| Gender | Unmarried male and female |
| Application fee | ₹550 + GST |
| Negative marking | 0.25 marks per incorrect answer |
| Merit | Written test only — PFT and medical are qualifying |
| Selection | State-wise merit-based |
| Salary | ₹30,000 (Year 1) to ₹40,000 (Year 4) |
| Portals | iafrecruitment.edcil.co.in and the CASB portal, agnipathvayu.cdac.in |
1. The Three Streams
| Stream | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Science with Maths (STM) | 10+2 with Mathematics, Physics and English, minimum 50% aggregate and 50% in English; or a 3-year Diploma in Engineering — Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Automobile, Computer Science, Instrumentation Technology or Information Technology — from a recognised polytechnic, with 50% aggregate and 50% in English in the Diploma (or in Class 12/10 if English is not a Diploma subject) |
| Science without Maths (STNM) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, minimum 50% aggregate; or a 3-year Diploma in relevant engineering |
| Other than Science (OTS) | 10+2 in any stream, minimum 50% aggregate and 50% in English; or a 2-year Vocational course with minimum 50% aggregate and 50% in English in the vocational course (or in Class 12/10 if English is not a vocational subject) |
The Other than Science stream is what distinguishes Agniveer Vayu from most defence entries. A Commerce or Arts candidate with 50% aggregate and 50% in English is fully eligible — where Navy SSR requires Maths and Physics, and Army Agniveer Technical requires 12th Science or an ITI.
The Diploma route matters equally. A candidate who went from Class 10 into a three-year polytechnic diploma — never sitting Class 12 — qualifies for the Science with Maths stream. The diploma substitutes for 12th PCM entirely.
The Vocational route performs the same function for the Other than Science stream: a two-year vocational course with the prescribed marks qualifies.
The Provision Most Candidates Miss
Candidates eligible for the Science Subjects examination are also eligible for the Other than Science Subjects examination.
Such candidates are given the option to appear in both — Science and Other than Science — in one sitting, exercised while filling the online registration form. The test for candidates opting for both is conducted in one sitting, on the same system.
This effectively doubles the pool of posts a Science candidate can be considered for, at no additional cost in time or fee. A Science-stream candidate who does not exercise this option restricts themselves to Science trades unnecessarily.
Exercise the option at registration. It is not available later.
2. Eligibility
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Marital status | Unmarried |
| Gender | Male and female both eligible |
| Date of birth (02/2027) | 1 July 2005 to 1 January 2010, both dates inclusive |
| Date of birth (01/2027) | 1 January 2006 to 1 July 2009, both dates inclusive |
| Maximum age at enrolment | 21 years as on the date of enrolment, if the candidate clears all stages |
| Fee | ₹550 + GST, by debit card, credit card, net banking, or challan at an Axis Bank branch |
On the age limit: secondary sources conflict, quoting both 21 and 22 as the maximum age at enrolment. The date-of-birth window stated in the notification is the operative rule and is set separately for each intake. Verify it in the notification PDF.
On female candidates: women are eligible and the Indian Air Force has been inducting women Agniveers since the first cycle. Both male and female candidates follow the same written examination pattern; physical fitness standards differ by gender. The number and employability of female candidates is decided as per service requirements — the allocation is not fixed in advance.
3. The Online Test — Phase I
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Objective, multiple choice |
| Language | Bilingual — English and Hindi — except the English paper |
| Science stream duration | 60 minutes |
| Science stream subjects | English, Physics and Mathematics, from the 10+2 CBSE syllabus |
| OTS stream | English, Reasoning and General Awareness — fewer questions, as there is no subject-specific Physics or Mathematics section |
| Both streams together | Conducted in one sitting, on the same system |
| Negative marking | 0.25 marks per incorrect answer |
English is at Class 10 to 12 standard. The questions are not complex, but they demand accuracy — and English carries a 50% minimum requirement in the eligibility itself for two of the three streams, which signals its weight.
For the Science stream, preparation should centre on Class 11 and 12 NCERT Physics, with emphasis on formula-based problem-solving rather than derivations. Electrostatics, current electricity and optics are reported as the highest-frequency topics.
4. Selection Process
| Phase | Components |
|---|---|
| Phase I | Online Written Test |
| Phase II | Verification of eligibility, Physical Fitness Test (PFT), Adaptability Test I and Adaptability Test II |
| Phase III | Medical Examination |
| Final | Provisional Select List |
The Point That Governs Preparation
The final merit is based on the written test only. The PFT and the medical examination are qualifying stages and contribute no marks to the merit.
The Adaptability Tests are psychological assessments conducted at the PFT centre.
This means the written test is the entire competition. The physical and medical stages determine whether you remain in contention; they do not improve your position. A candidate who is exceptionally fit gains nothing in merit over one who merely clears the PFT.
State-Wise Merit
Final selection is state-wise merit-based. Vacancies are allocated state-wise, and state-wise cut-offs together with the Provisional Select List are published after the selection test on the official portal.
As with Navy SSR, a candidate competes against their own state’s allocation rather than the national field. An identical score may clear in one state and fall short in another.
Vacancy Position — An Honest Note
The Intake 02/2027 notification does not specify a fixed total. Vacancies are allocated state-wise and the final number is decided as per the service requirement of the Indian Air Force.
Some listings quote 2,500 posts. That figure is not stated in the notification and should be treated as an estimate. Candidates should plan on the basis that the number is not fixed in advance.
5. Examination Day — Practical Requirements
These details are specific and cost candidates their attempt when missed:
- Provisional admit cards are sent to the registered email ID 48 to 72 hours before the examination. They are also downloadable from the candidate login on the CASB web portal.
- Take a colour printout of the admit card and carry it to the centre.
- Bring one blue or black pen.
- Bring the original Aadhaar card.
Check the registered email address at registration. The admit card is issued to it, with a 48 to 72 hour window.
6. Compensation
| Year | Monthly Package |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | ₹30,000 |
| Year 2 | ₹33,000 |
| Year 3 | ₹36,500 |
| Year 4 | ₹40,000 |
Annual package: approximately ₹4.76 lakh in the first year, rising to approximately ₹6.92 lakh by the end of service.
Seva Nidhi: approximately ₹11.71 lakh on completion of four years, including interest, tax-free.
Insurance: a non-contributory life insurance cover of ₹48 lakh for the duration of the engagement.
Allowances: risk and hardship, and other allowances as applicable.
Two Provisions to Understand Before Applying
Pension does not apply. The Indian Air Force Pension Regulations and Rules do not apply to Agniveer Vayu. This is stated expressly. The four-year engagement carries no pension entitlement.
Permanent enrolment is competitive. After four years, Agniveer Vayu may apply for the regular cadre as Airmen. Up to 25% of each batch is enrolled, on objective criteria including performance during the four-year service period. The remaining 75% exit with the Seva Nidhi.
Candidates should assess the entry on those terms — four years of compensation well above comparable civilian entry, a substantial tax-free corpus, a ₹48 lakh insurance cover, and a competitive prospect of permanent enrolment. Not a guaranteed career.
7. Application Procedure
- Access the CASB web portal or the IAF recruitment portal.
- Register with an email address and phone number. The email must be one you monitor — the admit card is sent to it.
- Complete the application form accurately.
- Exercise the option to appear in both Science and Other than Science papers, if eligible for Science. This is done at registration and not afterwards.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the application fee of ₹550 + GST — debit card, credit card, net banking, or challan at any Axis Bank branch.
- Download and print the confirmation page.
Timeline
Intake 02/2027 — current:
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | 6 July 2026 |
| Applications open | 6 July 2026 |
| Applications close | 26 July 2026 |
| Online test | 22 and 23 September 2026 |
Intake 01/2027 — for reference:
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification and applications open | 12 January 2026 |
| Applications closed | 8 February 2026 (extended) |
| Window reopened | 3 to 10 March 2026 |
| Online test | 30 and 31 March 2026 |
Note that the 01/2027 window was extended and then reopened. Candidates who assume a closed window is final sometimes miss a reopening. Monitor the portal.
The Indian Air Force conducts two intakes per year. A candidate who misses 02/2027 has the next intake, subject to the date-of-birth window.
8. Documents Checklist
- ☐ Class 12 mark sheet and certificate — with 50% aggregate and 50% in English evidenced
- ☐ Diploma mark sheets and certificate, where relied upon — 3-year engineering
- ☐ Vocational course certificate, where relied upon — 2-year
- ☐ Class 10 mark sheet — age proof, and English marks where English is not a Diploma or vocational subject
- ☐ Original Aadhaar card — required at the examination centre
- ☐ Colour printout of the admit card
- ☐ One blue or black pen
- ☐ Category documents
- ☐ Unmarried status documentation, where required
- ☐ Printed confirmation page
9. Assessment
Agniveer Vayu is the most accessible defence entry available at Class 12, for one reason above all: it accepts every stream.
| Entry | Stream requirement |
|---|---|
| IAF Agniveer Vayu (OTS) | Any stream, 50% aggregate and 50% English |
| Navy Agniveer SSR | Maths and Physics, plus one of Chemistry/Computer Science/Biology |
| Army Agniveer Technical | 12th Science with PCM, or 10th + 2-year ITI |
| Coast Guard Navik (GD) | 12th with Maths and Physics |
A Commerce or Arts candidate has one realistic defence route at Class 12, and this is it.
Additional strengths: women are eligible and have been inducted since the first cycle; the diploma and vocational routes open the entry to candidates who never sat Class 12; merit rests on the written test alone; state-wise allocation narrows the field; and the ₹48 lakh insurance and ₹11.71 lakh Seva Nidhi are substantial.
The honest constraints: the engagement is four years with up to 25% retained and no pension; the date-of-birth window is narrow and set per intake, with a maximum of 21 at enrolment; the 50% English requirement excludes candidates who cleared Class 12 with weak English; and vacancy numbers are not fixed in advance.
Recommendations: if you are eligible for Science, exercise the both-papers option at registration — it costs nothing and doubles your consideration. Apply in the current 02/2027 window before 26 July 2026. Verify the English percentage on your Class 12 mark sheet before applying, since it is an eligibility condition and not merely a preference. And confirm the registered email address, because the admit card arrives there with 48 to 72 hours’ notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can a Commerce or Arts student apply for Agniveer Vayu? Yes. The Other than Science (OTS) stream requires 10+2 in any stream with 50% aggregate and 50% in English, or a 2-year vocational course with the same marks. This is the principal defence entry open to non-Science candidates at Class 12.
Q2. Can a diploma holder apply without Class 12? Yes. A 3-year Diploma in Engineering — Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Automobile, Computer Science, Instrumentation Technology or Information Technology — from a recognised polytechnic, with 50% aggregate and 50% in English, qualifies for the Science with Maths stream.
Q3. Can I appear for both Science and Other than Science papers? Yes, if eligible for Science. Candidates eligible for the Science Subjects examination are also eligible for Other than Science, and are given the option to appear in both in one sitting, on the same system — exercised while filling the online registration form.
Q4. What is the Agniveer Vayu salary? ₹30,000 per month in Year 1, rising to ₹40,000 in Year 4 — approximately ₹4.76 lakh to ₹6.92 lakh annually. On completion, a tax-free Seva Nidhi of approximately ₹11.71 lakh including interest, plus a ₹48 lakh non-contributory life insurance cover during service.
Q5. Is there a pension? No. The Indian Air Force Pension Regulations and Rules do not apply to Agniveer Vayu. After four years, up to 25% of each batch may be enrolled in the regular cadre as Airmen, on objective criteria including service performance.
Q6. What decides the final merit? The written test only. The PFT, Adaptability Tests and medical examination are qualifying stages and contribute no marks. Final selection is state-wise merit-based, with state-wise cut-offs published after the test.
Q7. Is there negative marking? Yes — 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
Q8. When is the next intake? Intake 02/2027 is open — applications from 6 to 26 July 2026, with the online test on 22 and 23 September 2026. The Indian Air Force conducts two intakes per year.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Eligibility, date-of-birth windows, marks requirements, examination pattern, physical and medical standards, fees, vacancy allocation and dates are set intake-wise by the official Indian Air Force notification and are revised each cycle. The Intake 02/2027 notification does not specify a fixed vacancy total; figures circulating in secondary listings are estimates. Sources also conflict on the maximum age at enrolment. Candidates must read the official notification on the CASB and IAF recruitment portals before applying and treat it as the final authority.