- The Indian Air Force (IAF) has activated the online portal for candidates appearing in the Agniveer Vayu and Airman Group ‘Y’ (Medical Assistant, Musician, and Non-Combatant cadres) Intake 02/2027 selection cycle. Aspirants who submitted online applications can now check their examination dates, advance test city allotments, and download their official Phase-1 Computer Based Test (CBT) Hall Tickets via the centralized candidate interface at agnipathvayu.cdac.in.
What You Will Find Here
Air Force selection is known for its rigorous standards, strict reporting schedules, and multi-stage testing. The process begins with a nationwide online written test (STAR examination) and extends through physical efficiency benchmarks, adaptability assessments, and medical board evaluations.
- Below is an exhaustive, 1,500+ word candidate manual covering the Phase-1 CBT structure, subject-wise marking allocations, physical fitness benchmarks (PFT), adaptability test formats, test-center identity protocols, and strategic preparation advice.

Indian Air Force Intake 02/2027: Executive Recruitment Summary
| Administrative Parameter | Official Recruitment Specification |
| Recruiting Organization | Indian Air Force (IAF), Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Recruitment Cycle | Agniveer Vayu & Airman Group ‘Y’ Intake 02/2027 |
| Primary Assessment Phase | Phase-1 Online Computer Based Test (STAR Screening) |
| City Intimation Availability | Activated 10 Days prior to the designated exam date |
| Final Admit Card Download Window | Released 48 to 72 Hours prior to individual test slots |
| Testing Interface | Computer Based Test (CBT – Objective Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Negative Marking Penalty | 0.25 Marks (1/4th deduction) per incorrect answer |
| Subsequent Testing Stages | Phase-2 (PFT, Adaptability Test-II) & Phase-3 (Medical Board) |
| Service Classification | Indian Armed Forces (4-Year Agnipath Framework & Permanent Airman Trades) |
| Official Central Application Gateways | agnipathvayu.cdac.in & airmenselection.cdac.in |
Key Milestone Timelines & Scheduling Overview
Air Force recruitment follows tightly coordinated, multi-stage timelines. Candidates should track the operational phases closely:
[City Intimation Slip: 10 Days Before] ──► [Final e-Admit Card: 48-72 Hrs Before] ──► [Phase-1 Online CBT]
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▼
[Provisional Select List (PSL)] ◄── [Phase-3 Medical Board] ◄── [Phase-2 PFT & Adaptability]
- Advance Exam City & Date Slip: Released approximately 10 days before the exam window begins, allowing candidates to finalize travel and lodging plans.
- Final Admit Card Release: Activated on the candidate portal 48 to 72 hours before the allotted exam date to ensure test center security.
- Phase-1 Written Results: Typically published within 20 to 25 working days following the conclusion of all test shifts.
- Phase-2 Call Letter Generation: Shortlisted candidates receive call letters for their assigned Airmen Selection Centre (ASC) within 2 to 3 weeks of result declaration.
Comprehensive Phase-1 Exam Pattern & Syllabus Architecture
The Phase-1 examination is administered via a secure online testing system. Question papers are categorized by educational stream, testing trade suitability across technical and non-technical roles.
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ IAF Phase-1 CBT Subject Streams │
└──────────────────────┬───────────────────────┘
│
┌──────────────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
[Other Than Science / Group Y] [Science Subjects] [Science & Other Than Science]
• English (20 Qs / 20 Marks) • Physics (25 Qs / 25 Marks) • Physics (25 Qs / 25 Marks)
• RAGA (30 Qs / 30 Marks) • Mathematics (25 Qs / 25 M) • Mathematics (25 Qs / 25 M)
• Total: 50 Qs / 45 Minutes • English (20 Qs / 20 Marks) • English (20 Qs / 20 Marks)
• Total: 70 Qs / 60 Minutes • RAGA (30 Qs / 30 Marks)
• Total: 100 Qs / 85 Minutes
1. Other Than Science Subjects (Airman Group ‘Y’ Cadre)
Tailored for candidates registered for administrative, logistics, medical assistant, and ground support functions:
- Total Time Duration: 45 Composite Minutes
- Section A – General English: 20 Questions (20 Marks) — Assesses reading comprehension, vocabulary, preposition usage, sentence correction, active/passive voice, and indirect speech.
- Section B – Reasoning & General Awareness (RAGA): 30 Questions (30 Marks) — Tests numerical reasoning, non-verbal series, analogies, Venn diagrams, basic arithmetic, Indian geography, general science, and current events.
- Aggregate Structure: 50 Questions | 50 Marks | 45 Minutes.
2. Science Subjects (Technical Trades / Airman Group ‘X’)
Structured for candidates seeking technical engineering and maintenance trades:
- Total Time Duration: 60 Composite Minutes
- Physics: 25 Questions (25 Marks) — Core topics from CBSE 10+2 curriculum, including kinematics, thermodynamics, optics, electrostatics, and modern physics.
- Mathematics: 25 Questions (25 Marks) — Covers calculus, coordinate geometry, matrices, probability, and trigonometry.
- English: 20 Questions (20 Marks) — Foundational language proficiency and comprehension.
- Aggregate Structure: 70 Questions | 70 Marks | 60 Minutes.
3. Combined Stream (Science & Other Than Science)
For applicants who registered for both technical and non-technical branches:
- Total Time Duration: 85 Composite Minutes
- Components: Physics (25 Marks), Mathematics (25 Marks), English (20 Marks), and RAGA (30 Marks).
- Aggregate Structure: 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 85 Minutes.
Marking Scheme & Scoring Rules
To clear the online phase, candidates must navigate the scoring system strategically:
- Correct Attempt: Each correct response awards +1.00 Mark.
- Unattempted Questions: Blank or skipped questions receive 0.00 Marks with no deductions.
- Negative Marking Penalty: Every incorrect answer deducts -0.25 Marks (1/4th penalty) from the cumulative score.
- Sectional Cut-Off Requirement: Aspirants must clear both an independent sectional qualifying threshold in each paper component and an aggregate cut-off score determined by the board.
The 4-Stage Air Force Selection Process
[Phase-1: Online CBT] ──► [Phase-2: PFT & Adaptability] ──► [Phase-3: Medical Board] ──► [Phase-4: PSL & Enrollment]
Stage 1: Phase-1 Computer Based Written Test (Online STAR)
Candidates take the computer-based test at designated pan-India test centers. Scores are normalized to balance varying shift difficulties.
Stage 2: Phase-2 Physical & Psychological Adaptability Evaluation
Qualifying candidates report to designated Airmen Selection Centres (ASCs) nationwide. This phase includes biometric re-verification, document scrutiny, physical endurance testing, and the Adaptability Test-II.
Stage 3: Phase-3 Medical Board Examination
Conducted at designated military hospitals (SMC/MH) by Armed Forces medical officers. Evaluations encompass laboratory baselines, radiological screenings, systemic physical tests, and visual assessments.
Stage 4: Provisional Select List (PSL) & Final Enrollment
Candidates cleared by the medical board are ranked in the All-India Provisional Select List (PSL). Final call-up letters are issued based on national merit ranking and trade vacancy allocations.
Phase-2 Physical Fitness Test (PFT) & Physical Standards
The Physical Fitness Test (PFT) is strictly qualifying in nature—no numerical marks are assigned—but completing each segment within the specified timeframe is mandatory.
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Parameters │
└──────────────────────┬───────────────────────┘
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┌──────────────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────┐
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[Male Running Standard] [Female Running Standard]
1.6 Kilometers (1600m) in Max 7:00 Minutes 1.6 Kilometers (1600m) in Max 8:00 Minutes
Followed by: Followed by:
• 10 Push-ups (within 1 min) • 10 Sit-ups (within 1 min)
• 10 Sit-ups (within 1 min) • 15 Squats (within 1 min)
• 20 Squats (within 1 min)
Detailed Calisthenics & Running Requirements
| Physical Activity Event | Male Candidate Standard | Female Candidate Standard | Allocated Rest / Time Window |
| 1.6 Km Endurance Run | 07 Minutes Flat | 08 Minutes Flat | Completed outdoors on tracks or hard surfaces |
| Recovery Interval | 10 Minutes Rest | 10 Minutes Rest | Mandatory cool-down before calisthenics |
| Push-ups | 10 Repetitions | Not Applicable | Completed within 01 Minute |
| Recovery Interval | 02 Minutes Rest | 02 Minutes Rest | Preparation period |
| Sit-ups | 10 Repetitions | 10 Repetitions | Completed within 01 Minute |
| Recovery Interval | 02 Minutes Rest | 02 Minutes Rest | Preparation period |
| Squats (Knee Bends) | 20 Repetitions | 15 Repetitions | Completed within 01 Minute |
Minimum Anthropometric Measurements
- Height Requirements:
- Male Candidates: Minimum acceptable height is 152.5 cm.
- Female Candidates: Minimum acceptable height is 152.0 cm (relaxation applies to candidates from North-East and hilly regions per central regulations).
- Chest Expansion: Minimum unexpanded chest circumference must show a clear, measurable expansion of at least 5 cm.
- Weight Profile: Must fall within acceptable weight bands proportionate to height and age per military standards.
- Visual Standards: Distant visual acuity must be at least 6/12 in each eye, correctable to 6/6 with lenses. Refractive error must not exceed +2.0D to -2.0D including astigmatism. Complete color blindness is disqualifying.
Decoding the Phase-2 Adaptability Assessment
Candidates who pass the physical fitness events take the Adaptability Test-II on the same day:
- Core Assessment Focus: Military service requires personnel to operate effectively under demanding conditions, ranging from remote radar installations to desert forward bases and high-altitude Himalayan stations.
- Test Format: A series of situational judgment scenarios, psychological profile queries, and objective interpersonal questions.
- Objective: Assesses emotional stability, rule adherence, adaptability to communal military living, and psychological resilience under operational stress.
Examination Center Identity Protocols & Document Checklist
To clear security checkpoints and biometric registration, candidates must bring the following documents:
- Color Printout of Admit Card: A sharp, full-page color printout on standard white A4 paper. Black-and-white prints, faded copies, or folded sheets may cause scanning failures at the gate.
- Original Government Photo Identification: A valid physical government-issued photo ID (such as an original Voter ID, PAN Card, Driving License, Passport, or valid identity card). If carrying an Aadhaar card, ensure the physical card is presented and digital biometrics are unlocked on the m-Aadhaar app.
- Matching Passport Photographs: Bring at least 2 to 4 recent color passport-size photographs matching the image submitted on the online registration form.
- Approved Writing Instruments: A transparent ballpoint pen with blue or black ink for signing physical attendance sheets and completing rough work.
- Strictly Prohibited Items: Cell phones, smart watches, fitness trackers, wireless earphones, electronic accessories, calculators, wallets, metallic ornaments, and bags are prohibited inside the testing facility.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Download IAF Admit Card 2026
[Visit agnipathvayu.cdac.in] ──► [Click Candidate Login Portal] ──► [Enter Registered Email & Password]
│
▼
[Print Color A4 Admit Card] ◄── [Click Download Hall Ticket] ◄── [Access Registered Dashboard]
- Visit the official Indian Air Force candidate portal: agnipathvayu.cdac.in.
- Select the designated login link: “Candidate Login – Intake 02/2027”.
- Enter your Registered Email Address and the Password established during initial registration.
- Input the alphanumeric Captcha code shown on the screen.
- Click “Sign In / Login” to open your candidate dashboard.
- Select “Exam Details & Hall Ticket Download” to view your shift timing, assigned city, and test lab address.
- Click “Download Admit Card (PDF)” and print a clean, high-resolution color copy on white A4 paper.
💡 RK Strategy: 5 Proven Tips to Clear the IAF Written Exam
- Manage the 45-Minute Window in RAGA: In the Group ‘Y’ paper, answering 50 questions in 45 minutes leaves under 55 seconds per question. Complete the 20 English questions in the first 12 to 14 minutes to preserve a full 30 minutes for numerical reasoning and RAGA puzzles.
- Prioritize Accuracy Over Volume: With a 0.25-mark negative penalty, guessing can quickly drop a candidate below the sectional cut-off. Skip questions with unfamiliar formulas or ambiguous wording.
- Maintain Strict Push-up Form During Practice: In Phase-2 physical testing, instructors emphasize precise form—a straight spine, chest touching the ground sponge, and a clear 1-second pause at the bottom. Poor form leads to rejected repetitions regardless of speed.
- Verify Center Locations Early: Air Force exam centers often operate out of large digital testing hubs on city outskirts. Plan your travel route in advance to ensure you arrive well before the scheduled reporting time.
- Arrive 45 Minutes Before Gate Closure: Testing centers enforce strict gate closure times. Arriving late, even by one minute, results in denied entry without exception.
Official Resources & Direct Portals
| (Link Description) | (Direct Link) |
| (Direct Login Link) | Admit Card Download |
| (Daily Job Alert) | 👉 Join Whats App Channel |
| (IAF Portal) | Air Force Agniveer Portal |
| Home Page | RK Job Alert 24 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When is the final IAF Admit Card available for download?
Ans: While advance exam city intimation slips are published 10 days before the exam, final e-Admit Cards with exact venue addresses become available 48 to 72 hours prior to your scheduled test date.
Q2: Is negative marking applicable in the Phase-1 CBT exam?
Ans: Yes. Every incorrect response incurs a 0.25-mark penalty (1/4th deduction). Unattempted questions carry zero deductions.
Q3: Can I carry a black-and-white photocopy of my admit card to the exam center?
Ans: No. Official IAF guidelines require a clean, high-resolution color printout on A4 paper. Black-and-white copies may be rejected during verification.
Q4: What running time is required for male candidates in the Phase-2 PFT?
Ans: Male candidates must complete the 1.6-kilometer (1600 meters) run within 7 minutes flat. Female candidates have an 8-minute window.