IAF Agniveervayu Sports Recruitment 2026 – Complete Guide for Intake 02/2026

IAF Agniveervayu Sports Recruitment 2026 is officially announced! Indian Air Force has released the notification for Agniveervayu (Sports) Intake 02/2026 under the Agnipath Scheme, inviting online applications from unmarried Indian male candidates who are outstanding sportsmen across 24 sports disciplines. Online registration opens on 23 March 2026 and closes on 29 March 2026 at 1700 hrs. Recruitment Trials will be held from 08 April 2026 to 10 April 2026 at Air Force Station New Delhi (Tejas Camp), Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi.

This intake is specifically designed to bring elite sporting talent into the Indian Air Force under the Agnipath Scheme — a four-year engagement program that gives India’s youth a chance to experience military life, develop professional discipline, and serve the nation while continuing to pursue their sporting careers. For young sportsmen who have represented their state or country at national or international level, this is one of the most direct pathways into the Indian Air Force. No written examination is required — selection is purely on the basis of sports performance, physical fitness, document verification, and a medical examination.

With a starting monthly package of ₹30,000/- (rising to ₹40,000/- in the fourth year), a non-contributory life insurance cover of ₹48 lakhs, a Seva Nidhi exit package of approximately ₹10.04 lakhs after four years, and the opportunity to apply for permanent enrolment as a regular IAF Airman — this is a recruitment that offers both immediate financial security and long-term career potential for sportsmen aged 17 to 21 years.

Recruitment Overview – Key Details at a Glance

This recruitment is conducted by the Air Force Sports Control Board (AFSCB) under the Command of Indian Air Force. The Agnipath Scheme was introduced by the Government of India as a transformative HR policy aimed at infusing young talent into the armed forces for a defined engagement period of four years. Under this scheme, enrolled personnel are called Agniveervayu and form a distinct rank in the Indian Air Force. The Sports entry under this scheme specifically recruits outstanding sportsmen who, in addition to their regular military duties, contribute to the IAF’s sporting excellence at national and international levels.

Important Dates – Every Deadline You Must Know

The application window for IAF Agniveervayu Sports Intake 02/2026 is just 7 days — from 23 March 2026 to 29 March 2026. This is an extremely short registration window, and the IAF has explicitly stated that no extension will be given under any circumstances. The Recruitment Trials follow immediately after — beginning on 08 April 2026, just 10 days after registration closes. This means candidates must have all their documents, sports kit, travel arrangements, and accommodation in Delhi ready well in advance. There is no time for last-minute preparation once the registration opens. Start scanning your documents, checking your sports certificates, and booking your travel to Delhi as soon as you read this.

Application Fee

The registration fee for IAF Agniveervayu Sports Intake 02/2026 is just ₹100/- plus applicable taxes. Payment can be made online using debit cards, credit cards, or internet banking through the payment gateway on the official portal. There is no offline payment mode. Keep your payment confirmation receipt safely — it serves as proof of successful registration. Candidates are advised to pay the fee immediately after completing the form rather than waiting, as last-minute payment failures due to gateway issues can result in incomplete registration with no recourse.

Age Limit – Date of Birth Block and Enrolment Age Cap

The age eligibility for this recruitment is defined by a specific Date of Birth block rather than a fixed minimum and maximum age. Candidates born between 02 July 2005 and 02 January 2009 (both dates inclusive) are eligible to apply. This translates to candidates who are approximately 17 to 21 years old at the time of the trials. However, there is an additional critical condition: if a candidate clears all stages of the Selection Trial, the upper age limit as on the date of actual enrolment must be 21 years. This means candidates born on or very close to 02 July 2005 should pay close attention — if enrolment is delayed for administrative reasons beyond their 21st birthday, they may lose eligibility at the final stage. Plan accordingly and apply for this intake without delay.

Eligibility Criteria – Education and Sports Achievement Requirements

Educational Qualification

Candidates must satisfy one of the following educational qualification criteria. Importantly, the exact percentage before decimal as written in the marks sheet is used — rounding up is not permitted (e.g., 49.99% is counted as 49%, not 50%). Only Education Boards recognised by Central, State, or Union Territory governments as on date of registration are considered.

Sports Achievement Requirements

One of the following sports achievement criteria must be met. Certificates issued by federations/associations NOT approved by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Khelo India National (SAI), or Association of Indian Universities will not be considered. The current achievement will be given preference during selection trials.

Sports Disciplines and Specific Events – All 24 Disciplines

Agniveervayu (Sports) Intake 02/2026 covers 24 sports disciplines with very specific events, positions, and weight categories within each. Applying for the correct event/position within your sport is critical — applying in a discipline where you have not achieved the required level will result in immediate rejection at document verification. Study the table below carefully and apply only in the discipline and event/position for which you hold valid IOA/SAI-approved sports certificates.

Selection Process – 4-Day Trial Sequence Explained

The selection process for IAF Agniveervayu Sports Intake 02/2026 is conducted across four stages over four days, and each stage is a knock-out — failing at any point ends your participation. Unlike a written exam where you can compensate for a weak section with a strong one elsewhere, every stage here is a separate eliminator. Understanding the exact sequence, venue, and standards for each stage is essential for arriving prepared.

Stage 1 – Document Verification (Day 1: 08 April 2026)

Before the Physical Fitness Test begins, all candidates undergo document verification at the venue — Tejas Camp, Air Force Station New Delhi. You must be present with all original documents and four self-attested photocopies of each. Candidates whose educational certificates do not meet the prescribed criteria will be rejected at this stage itself and will not be permitted to appear in the Physical Fitness Test. DigiLocker verified printouts are accepted, but you must carry your mobile device to show the certificate on DigiLocker during verification. Internet-downloaded or mobile-photo snapshots of certificates are NOT accepted.

Stage 2 – Physical Fitness Test / PFT (Day 1: 08 April 2026)

The Physical Fitness Test consists of a 1.6 km run to be completed within 7 minutes, followed by 10 push-ups (within 1 minute), 10 sit-ups (within 1 minute), and 20 squats (within 1 minute). There is a 10-minute break after the run before exercises begin, and a 2-minute break between each exercise. Only candidates who pass all components of the PFT are allowed to proceed to Sports Specific Trials. Bring your sports shoes and shorts/track pants. Detailed technique guidelines for push-ups, sit-ups, and squats are available on the CASB web portal.

Stage 3 – Sports Specific Trials (Days 2 & 3: 09–10 April 2026)

Only PFT-cleared candidates are called for Sport Specific Trials. Trials are conducted at venues decided by AFSCB in Delhi-NCR — in cases where sports infrastructure for a particular discipline is not available in Delhi, the IAF reserves the right to hold trials outside Delhi with appropriate intimation. Trials span two days — Day 2 is the first round, and Day 3 is for shortlisted candidates from Day 2. The selection committee’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained. The most recent and highest-level sports achievement is given preference.

Stage 4 – Medical Examination (13 April onwards)

Candidates recommended after Sports Specific Trials undergo a detailed Medical Examination starting 13 April 2026. The examination is conducted by the Air Force Medical Team at 2 ASC (Air Force). It includes a blood haemogram (Hb, TLC, DLC, Platelets), urine RE/ME, blood sugar (fasting and post-prandial), serum cholesterol, renal function tests, liver function tests, chest X-ray (PA view), ECG, and any other investigation the Recruiting Medical Officer deems necessary. Candidates must be prepared to stay for 4–5 days for the medical examination at their own arrangement. No TA/DA is admissible. Candidates declared medically unfit can appeal through Appeal Medical Board (AMB) by depositing ₹40/- through e-MRO/MRO within three working days.

Medical Standards – Mandatory Physical Requirements

The IAF applies stringent medical standards for Agniveervayu (Sports). The following are the broad guidelines — final medical fitness is conclusively decided by the Medical Board and is subject to Armed Forces standards, which may differ from civilian standards. There is no provision for review after the Appeal Medical Board.

Salary, Allowances and Seva Nidhi – Complete Financial Package

Agniveervayu (Sports) enrolled under this scheme receive a comprehensive financial package that grows with each year of service. The package includes in-hand pay (70% of monthly package), contributions to the Agniveer Corpus Fund (30% of monthly package matched by the Government of India), risk and hardship allowances, dress and travel allowances, ration, clothing, accommodation, and Leave Travel Concession. At the end of the four-year engagement, enrolled personnel receive the Seva Nidhi package — a lump-sum amount comprising their own contributions plus matching government contributions over four years.

In addition, Agniveervayu (Sports) receive a non-contributory Life Insurance cover of ₹48 Lakhs for the duration of their engagement period. Death and disability compensation details are available at the official CASB portal. There is no gratuity, no pensionary benefit, and no Provident Fund contribution. Enrolled personnel do not attain Ex-Serviceman (ESM) status after discharge on completion of four years.

Permanent Enrolment Opportunity

On completion of four years, Agniveervayu (Sports) will be offered an opportunity to apply for enrolment in the regular cadre of the Indian Air Force as Airmen. Up to 25% of each batch may be selected for permanent regular enrolment based on performance during the four-year engagement period. However, this is not a right — selection for regular enrolment is entirely at the discretion of the Government of India. Additionally, Agniveervayu are permitted to appear for NDA and AFCAT examinations (maximum 3 attempts) during their four-year engagement period.

How to Apply Online – Step-by-Step Process

All applications must be submitted online only through agnipathvayu.cdac.in/casbspm. No offline applications are accepted. Duplicate applications will be rejected outright. Candidates must apply only once — multiple applications with different registration numbers will result in cancellation of all registrations. Ensure all documents are scanned and ready before beginning the application process, as the 7-day window is extremely short.

1. Visit the Official Portal: Go to agnipathvayu.cdac.in/casbspm. Registration opens at 1000 hrs on 23 March 2026.
2. Register Online: Create your account using your active email ID and mobile number. These will be used for all future communications including the e-call letter for enrolment.
3. Enter Aadhaar Number: Aadhaar is mandatory for all candidates except those from J&K, Ladakh, Assam, and Meghalaya who do not have an Aadhaar card.
4. Fill the Application Form: Enter your personal details, date of birth (must fall within 02 July 2005 – 02 January 2009), educational qualification details, and sports discipline with event/position. Apply only for one sport.
5. Upload Documents: Upload all required images (photograph, thumb impression, signature, parent’s signature if below 18, certificates) in JPG/JPEG format within the specified size limits.
6. Pay Registration Fee: Pay ₹100/- plus applicable taxes using debit card, credit card, or net banking. Save the payment confirmation.
7. Submit Once: Review all entries carefully before final submission. The data entered during registration is final — no changes are permitted after submission. Wrong data disqualifies your candidature.
8. Download Admit Card: Admit card / e-call letter will be sent to your registered email ID. Print it and bring it to the trials venue on 08 April 2026.

Documents Required at the Trials Venue

All candidates must report to Tejas Camp, Air Force Station New Delhi, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi on 08 April 2026 with the following documents. Under no circumstances will candidates be permitted to appear in trials without original or DigiLocker-verified educational marksheets and passing certificates.

Important Instructions for Candidates

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is IAF Agniveervayu Sports Intake 02/2026?

It is a recruitment notification by the Indian Air Force for outstanding sportsmen to join as Agniveervayu (Sports) under the Agnipath Scheme for a four-year engagement period. Applications are open from 23 March 2026 to 29 March 2026 on agnipathvayu.cdac.in/casbspm.

2. How many sports disciplines are included in this recruitment?

24 sports disciplines are included: Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Chess, Cricket, Cycle Polo, Cycling, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Kabaddi, Lawn Tennis, Shooting, Squash, Swimming/Diving, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weight Lifting, Wrestling, Wushu, Sport Climbing, and MTB (Mountain Terrain Biking). Each discipline has specific events, positions, or weight categories.

3. What is the age limit for IAF Agniveervayu Sports 2026?

Candidates born between 02 July 2005 and 02 January 2009 (both dates inclusive) are eligible to apply. Additionally, the upper age limit at the time of actual enrolment must not exceed 21 years.

4. What is the minimum educational qualification required?

Candidates must have passed Intermediate/10+2 or equivalent in any stream with minimum 50% aggregate and 50% in English. Alternatively, a 3-year Engineering Diploma from a recognised polytechnic or a 2-year Vocational course with 50% aggregate and 50% in English are also accepted. Percentages are NOT rounded up — 49.99% counts as 49%.

5. What sports achievement is required to be eligible?

Candidates must have either (a) represented India in Junior/Senior International competitions recognised by IOA, or (b) attained minimum 5th place in Junior National competitions representing a State/UT in Senior National competitions, or (c) represented their State/UT in Junior/Senior National competitions. Special rules apply for Cricket (BCCI trophies), Shooting (top-50 NSCC national rank), and Chess (FIDE rating 2150+).

6. Is there a written examination for this recruitment?

No. Selection is based entirely on Document Verification, Physical Fitness Test, Sports Specific Trials, and Medical Examination. There is no written examination.

7. What is the salary for Agniveervayu (Sports)?

The monthly package starts at ₹30,000/- in Year 1 (in-hand ₹21,000/-) and rises to ₹40,000/- in Year 4 (in-hand ₹28,000/-). On exit after four years, the Seva Nidhi package is approximately ₹10.04 lakhs (excluding interest). A non-contributory life insurance of ₹48 lakhs is also provided.

8. Is this a permanent government job?

No. The engagement period is four years under the Agnipath Scheme. On completion, up to 25% of each batch may be selected for regular enrolment as IAF Airmen based on performance, but this is not guaranteed. There is no pension, gratuity, or ESM status after discharge.

9. Are candidates with LASIK/PRK surgery eligible?

No. Candidates with a history of LASIK or PRK eye surgery are not eligible for this recruitment. This is a hard disqualification with no exceptions.

10. Are tattoos allowed?

Permanent tattoos are permitted only on the inner face of the forearm (inside of elbow to wrist), back/dorsal part of the hand/reverse side of the palm, or for tribal candidates as per custom and tradition. Offensive, obscene, indecent, sexist or racist tattoos are prohibited regardless of location. The final decision on tattoo acceptability rests with the selection centre. Candidates with tattoos must bring two postcard-size photographs (close-up and distant view) with tattoo details to the trials.

11. Can candidates previously discharged from Army or Navy apply?

Yes, provided they were discharged with NO ADVERSE ENTRIES. They must declare their ex-employee status at the trials venue and produce the original Discharge Certificate. Candidates discharged from the Indian Air Force are NOT eligible under any circumstances.

12. Where will the trials be held?

Primary venue is Tejas Camp, Air Force Station New Delhi, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi. For sports disciplines where infrastructure is not available in Delhi, the IAF reserves the right to conduct trials outside Delhi with appropriate advance intimation through call letters.