Indian Air Force Agniveer Vayu Syllabus 2026: Exam Pattern & Selection Stages
- Phase 1: Online Test — Science stream (Physics, Maths, English) or Non-Science (English + RAGA)
- Phase 2: Physical Fitness Test (1.6 km run) + Adaptability Tests + Medical
- Online test: 22–23 September 2026 | Apply 6–26 July 2026
By RojgarDekho Team | Updated: June 2026
The Indian Air Force Agniveer Vayu (Intake 02/2027) selection is a multi-stage process: an online written test, followed by a physical fitness test, adaptability tests, and a medical examination. The written-test syllabus depends on whether you apply under the Science or Non-Science stream. This article lays out the exact exam pattern, the subject-wise syllabus, and the physical and medical stages so you can prepare with a clear plan.
IAF Agniveer Vayu 02/2027: Apply 6–26 July 2026. Online test 22–23 September 2026. Check official notification →
Selection Stages — Overview
| Phase | Stage | What It Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Online Written Test | Physics, Maths, English (Science) OR English + Reasoning & General Awareness (Non-Science) |
| Phase 2 | Physical Fitness Test (PFT) | 1.6 km run, push-ups, sit-ups, squats |
| Phase 2 | Adaptability Test I & II | Suitability for Air Force environment and varied terrains |
| Phase 2 | Document Verification | Verification of eligibility documents |
| Phase 3 | Medical Examination | Air Force medical fitness standards |
Online Test — Exam Pattern
| Stream | Subjects | Approx Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Science | English (as per 10+2 CBSE syllabus) + Physics + Mathematics | 60 minutes |
| Non-Science | English (as per 10+2 CBSE syllabus) + Reasoning & General Awareness (RAGA) | 45 minutes |
| Science + Non-Science (both trades) | English + Physics + Maths + RAGA | 85 minutes |
The test is objective (multiple choice) with negative marking — typically ¼ mark deducted per wrong answer. The exact number of questions, marks, and negative marking are specified in the official advertisement; verify them before the exam.
Subject-Wise Syllabus
English (Both Streams)
The English section follows the 10+2 CBSE syllabus and tests comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary. Key areas: reading comprehension passages, tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, sentence transformation, error spotting, synonyms and antonyms, one-word substitution, and sentence completion. English is common to both streams and carries significant weight, so do not neglect it.
Physics (Science Stream)
The Physics syllabus follows the CBSE 10+2 (Class 11 & 12) standard. Key topics: units and measurements, kinematics, laws of motion, work-energy-power, gravitation, properties of matter, thermodynamics, oscillations and waves, electrostatics, current electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, optics, modern physics (atoms, nuclei, semiconductors), and communication systems.
Mathematics (Science Stream)
The Mathematics syllabus also follows the CBSE 10+2 standard. Key topics: sets, relations and functions, trigonometry, complex numbers, quadratic equations, sequences and series, permutations and combinations, binomial theorem, matrices and determinants, limits and continuity, differentiation, integration, differential equations, coordinate geometry, three-dimensional geometry, vectors, probability, and statistics.
Reasoning & General Awareness — RAGA (Non-Science Stream)
The RAGA section covers verbal and non-verbal reasoning (analogies, coding-decoding, series, blood relations, directions, number puzzles, mathematical operations) and general awareness (general knowledge, current affairs, history, geography, civics, basic science, and sports). For the Non-Science stream, RAGA replaces Physics and Maths.
Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
After clearing the online test, you must pass the Physical Fitness Test. The core requirement is a 1.6 km run within 6 minutes 30 seconds for male candidates (women have a separate timing), followed by push-ups, sit-ups, and squats to be completed within the prescribed limits. Start your running and strength training early — the run standard is where many written-qualified candidates are eliminated.
Adaptability and Medical
The Adaptability Tests (Test I — an objective written test on the Air Force way of life; Test II — assessing suitability for varied terrains and conditions) check whether you can adapt to the demands of Air Force service. Finally, the Medical Examination applies the Air Force's medical fitness standards (vision, hearing, dental, general fitness). All stages are mandatory to clear.
Preparation Strategy
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Now – test (Science) | Revise CBSE Physics & Maths thoroughly + daily English practice |
| Now – test (Non-Science) | English + reasoning practice + current affairs and general awareness |
| Parallel from day one | Running (build to 1.6 km under 6:30) + push-ups/sit-ups/squats |
| Last 3 weeks | Full-length online mocks with negative marking + revision of weak topics |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What subjects are in the Agniveer Vayu Science stream test?
The Science stream online test covers English, Physics, and Mathematics, all as per the CBSE 10+2 syllabus. The Non-Science stream covers English and RAGA (Reasoning & General Awareness) instead of Physics and Maths.
Q: Is there negative marking in the Agniveer Vayu online test?
Yes, the online test typically has negative marking — usually ¼ mark deducted for each wrong answer. Verify the exact marking scheme from the official advertisement, and avoid blind guessing.
Q: What is the running standard for Agniveer Vayu?
For male candidates, the Physical Fitness Test requires completing a 1.6 km run within 6 minutes 30 seconds, along with push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. Women candidates have a separate timing. Train for this well in advance.
How to Build a Study Routine for the Online Test
The Agniveer Vayu online test rewards consistent, NCERT-rooted preparation more than last-minute cramming. For the Science stream, the smartest approach is to go chapter by chapter through the NCERT Class 11 and 12 Physics and Mathematics textbooks, solving the in-text and exercise problems, because the test questions stay close to this standard. Maintain a formula sheet for Physics and Maths that you revise daily — quick recall of formulas saves precious seconds in a negatively-marked test. For English, read a passage and do a few grammar exercises daily; small, regular practice builds the accuracy that this section rewards. For the Non-Science stream, replace the Physics/Maths block with daily reasoning sets and a steady current-affairs habit.
Time Management in the Online Test
Because the test is negatively marked, your strategy matters as much as your knowledge. Attempt the questions you are confident about first to bank secure marks, then return to the tougher ones. Do not get stuck on a single hard Physics or Maths problem — if it is taking too long, mark it and move on, because the time is better spent on three easier questions elsewhere. Only guess when you can eliminate options confidently; blind guessing erodes your score under negative marking. Practising full-length timed mocks is the single best way to develop this instinct before the actual test.
Don't Treat the Physical Test as an Afterthought
A common and costly mistake is to focus entirely on the written test and neglect physical preparation until after the result. By then it is often too late to build the endurance needed for the 1.6 km run within 6 minutes 30 seconds. Start running from the very beginning of your preparation, three to four times a week, gradually improving your timing, and add push-ups, sit-ups, and squats to build the strength the PFT requires. Treat fitness as a parallel, non-negotiable track — many written-qualified candidates lose their place at the run, and that is a heartbreaking way to fall short after clearing the exam.
Final Word on Preparation
The Agniveer Vayu selection is comprehensive but very achievable with a disciplined, two-track plan: NCERT-based study for the written test and steady physical training for the PFT, both started early and maintained consistently. Solve previous IAF Airmen and Agniveer Vayu pattern papers, take timed online mocks, and keep your body exam-ready. That balanced, disciplined preparation is exactly what the Air Force is looking for — and exactly what converts an application into selection.
Building Physics and Maths Speed for the Test
Beyond knowing the concepts, the Agniveer Vayu test rewards speed, because you are answering objective questions under time pressure with negative marking. For Physics, the fastest scoring comes from formula-based numerical problems — kinematics, laws of motion, current electricity, and optics — where a clear formula and quick calculation give you a sure mark. For Maths, trigonometry, calculus, and algebra questions are often direct applications of standard methods; the more you practise, the faster you recognise the method and solve. Build a habit of solving timed problem sets so that on test day you are not thinking about how to start a problem but immediately applying the right approach. Speed built through practice is what lets you attempt more questions accurately within the time limit.
English — The Section That Quietly Decides Many Results
English is common to both the Science and Non-Science streams, and it quietly decides many results because candidates often neglect it while focusing on Physics, Maths, or reasoning. Yet English questions are quick to answer if your grammar and vocabulary are solid — there is no lengthy calculation. Focus on the high-yield areas: reading comprehension, common grammar rules (tenses, subject-verb agreement, prepositions, articles), error spotting, and vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution). A little daily English practice over your preparation period adds up to a reliable block of marks that many of your competitors leave on the table.
What to Expect on Test Day
The online test is computer-based, so familiarity with the on-screen interface matters. Practise on computer-based mock platforms so the navigation, question palette, and marking-for-review functions feel natural. On test day, read each question carefully, manage your time across sections, and apply your negative-marking strategy — attempt the confident ones first, flag the doubtful ones, and only guess when you can eliminate options. Stay calm; a composed candidate makes fewer careless errors. Carry your admit card and required identity documents, reach the centre early, and follow all instructions. Preparation plus composure is what converts your study into a strong score.
Bringing It Together — The Winning Routine
The candidates who clear Agniveer Vayu run a simple but disciplined routine: daily NCERT-based study for their stream, daily English practice, regular timed mocks with error analysis, and a parallel fitness routine building toward the 1.6 km run and strength tests. None of this requires special talent — it requires consistency over the weeks leading up to the test. Solve previous Airmen and Agniveer Vayu pattern papers to calibrate your level, keep your body and mind exam-ready, and approach both the written test and the physical test as equally important. That balanced discipline is exactly what the Air Force selection is designed to reward.
Resources That Actually Help
For Agniveer Vayu preparation, the right resources are simpler than many candidates assume. The NCERT Class 11 and 12 Physics and Mathematics textbooks are the core for the Science stream — they directly match the test's standard, and working through their solved examples and exercises builds both concept and speed. For English, any standard 10+2-level grammar and comprehension book is sufficient. For the Non-Science stream, a competitive-exam reasoning book and a monthly current-affairs source cover the RAGA section well. Most importantly, previous IAF Airmen (X & Y group) papers and Agniveer Vayu pattern mocks are the best practice material because they reflect the exact question style. You do not need expensive courses — disciplined use of these focused resources is what works.
Balancing Written and Physical Preparation Week to Week
The practical challenge in Agniveer Vayu preparation is balancing two tracks without neglecting either. A workable weekly rhythm: dedicate the bulk of your daily study hours to your stream subjects and English, but reserve three to four sessions a week for physical training — running to build toward the 1.6 km timing, plus push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. Mornings are often ideal for the run, leaving the rest of the day for study. As the test approaches, hold your physical routine steady even as you intensify mock practice, because the physical test follows soon after the written result. Candidates who keep both tracks moving together arrive ready for the full selection, not just one half of it.
Final Encouragement
The Agniveer Vayu selection rewards preparation and discipline, not luck. Every part of it — the CBSE-based written test, the 1.6 km run, the adaptability tests, and the medical — is something you can prepare for systematically, starting today. Thousands of young candidates clear this selection every intake through nothing more than consistent study, steady physical training, and composure on the day. Trust the process, prepare both your mind and body together, and approach the Air Force opportunity with the seriousness it deserves. With a disciplined, two-track routine maintained over the weeks ahead, a place in the Indian Air Force as an Agniveer Vayu is genuinely within your reach.
