Indian Air Force Agniveer Recruitment Guide — Eligibility, Process, Salary

The Indian Air Force (IAF) recruits Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme through the Agniveer Vayu programme. IAF Agniveers serve in various technical and non-technical trades across air force stations. The recruitment is conducted through the STAR (Selection Test for Airmen Recruitment) online exam.

This guide covers the complete IAF Agniveer recruitment process — eligibility, STAR exam pattern, trades, and career prospects.

Entry Categories

Agniveer Vayu (Science Subjects)

• For 12th pass with Physics and Mathematics
• Eligible for technical trades
• Higher responsibility roles

Agniveer Vayu (Other than Science Subjects)

• For 12th pass with any stream
• Eligible for non-technical trades
• Administrative and support roles

Trades in IAF Agniveer

Technical Trades (Science Stream)

• Aircraft Technician (Mechanical)
• Aircraft Technician (Avionics)
• Weapon System
• Electrical and Instrument
• Automobile Technician
• Ground Training Instructor

Non-Technical Trades (Any Stream)

• Indian Air Force (Security)
• Indian Air Force (Police)
• Musician
• Accounts
• Logistics
• Education Instructor
• Medical Assistant
• Operation Assistant (previously known as Operator)

Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit

• Minimum: 17.5 years
• Maximum: 23 years (as on the date of enrolment)

Educational Qualification

Note: For certain trades, additional qualifications like vocational courses or specific subjects may be required as per notification.

Physical Standards

Nationality

Indian citizens only. No provisions for Nepal/Bhutan subjects in IAF (unlike Army/Navy).

Marital Status

Must be unmarried at the time of recruitment.

Selection Process

Stage 1: Online Registration

Register on agniveervayu.cdac.in and fill the application form.

Stage 2: STAR Exam (Online)

Science Stream Exam Pattern:

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Negative marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer

Other Stream Exam Pattern:

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Negative marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer

Stage 3: Physical Fitness Test

Stage 4: Adaptability Test

Assessment of adaptability and suitability for Air Force life. Includes group tasks and interactive sessions.

Stage 5: Medical Examination

Comprehensive medical examination as per IAF medical standards.

Stage 6: Merit List and Enrolment

Final selection based on STAR exam merit within each trade.

Syllabus Overview

Physics (Science Stream)

• Physical world and measurement
• Kinematics, laws of motion
• Work, energy, power
• Rotational motion, gravitation
• Properties of matter, heat, thermodynamics
• Oscillations, waves
• Electrostatics, current electricity
• Magnetic effects of current, magnetism
• EMI and AC, electromagnetic waves
• Optics, dual nature of matter
• Atoms, nuclei, semiconductor electronics

Mathematics (Science Stream)

• Sets, relations, functions
• Trigonometry
• Complex numbers, quadratic equations
• Permutations, combinations
• Sequences and series
• Matrices, determinants
• Calculus (limits, differentiation, integration)
• Probability, statistics
• Coordinate geometry (2D and 3D)
• Vectors

English (Both Streams)

• Comprehension, grammar (tenses, articles, prepositions)
• Voice, narration, sentence correction
• Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitutions
• Idioms and phrases, spelling corrections

Reasoning

• Verbal: analogies, coding-decoding, series, classification, blood relations
• Non-verbal: pattern completion, figure matrix, mirror/water images

General Awareness

• Current affairs (last 12 months)
• History, geography, polity
• Science and technology, defence
• Sports, awards, books and authors

How to Apply

1. Visit agniveervayu.cdac.in
2. Register with Aadhaar, email, and mobile number
3. Fill the application — personal, educational, trade preference
4. Upload photograph, signature per specifications
5. Select exam centres (up to 3 preferences)
6. Submit the application — no fee required

Application Fee

No application fee for Agniveer Vayu recruitment.

Important Dates Pattern

IAF Agniveer recruitment typically happens twice a year:

Training

• Duration: Approximately 14-18 weeks
• Location: Airmen Training School (ATS), Belgaum, Karnataka
• Content: Basic military training, drill, physical training, trade-specific technical training
• After initial training: Posted to various Air Force stations across India

Salary and Benefits

• Seva Nidhi: ₹11.71 lakh (approx.) at the end of 4 years for non-retained Agniveers
• Insurance: ₹48 lakh non-contributory life cover
• Free ration, accommodation, uniform, medical care
• Canteen facilities and travel concessions

Preparation Tips

1. Strong Foundation in Physics and Mathematics

For Science stream, these subjects carry 50 marks out of 100. Study 11th-12th NCERT Physics and Mathematics thoroughly.

2. English is Important

All candidates need minimum 50% in English in 12th, and English is tested in the STAR exam. Practice grammar and comprehension daily.

3. Speed and Accuracy

100 questions in 60 minutes means less than a minute per question. Practice with timed mock tests.

4. Reasoning Practice

Reasoning carries 10-20 marks. Practice verbal and non-verbal reasoning patterns regularly using standard reasoning books.

5. Physical Fitness

Start training for the 1.6 km run, push-ups, squats, and sit-ups at least 3 months before expected PFT dates.

6. Know the Air Force

Stay updated on IAF's latest achievements, aircraft, operations, and defence news. This shows genuine interest and helps in the adaptability test.

Related Guides

• Indian Army Agniveer Guide — Army Agniveer recruitment
• Indian Navy Agniveer Guide — Navy Agniveer recruitment
• RRB Group D Exam Guide — Railway jobs after 10th/12th

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the STAR exam for IAF Agniveer?

STAR (Selection Test for Airmen Recruitment) is the computer-based online exam conducted for IAF Agniveer selection. It tests English, Physics, Mathematics, Reasoning, and General Awareness.

Can Arts/Commerce students apply for IAF Agniveer?

Yes, students from any stream (Arts, Commerce, Science) can apply for the "Other than Science" category. However, technical trades require Science stream with Physics and Mathematics.

Is the IAF Agniveer exam difficult?

The difficulty level is moderate — based on 11th and 12th standard NCERT syllabus. With proper preparation of 3-4 months, most candidates can clear it.

What is the minimum height for IAF Agniveer?

The minimum height is 152.5 cm, which is lower than the Army requirement (170 cm). Height relaxation may apply for specific regions.

Can I choose my trade in IAF Agniveer?

You can indicate trade preferences during application, but final trade allotment depends on merit, availability, and service requirements.

What career growth do retained Agniveers get in IAF?

Retained Agniveers serve for 15+ additional years with regular Air Force pay, promotions (Corporal → Sergeant → Warrant Officer → Master Warrant Officer), benefits, and pension.