Indian Air Force Agniveer Non-Combatant Recruitment 2026 – Complete Overview

The Indian Air Force has announced a remarkable opportunity for young men across India through the Agniveer Vayu Non-Combatant recruitment under the Agnipath Scheme for Intake 02/2026. This program offers unmarried male candidates a chance to serve the nation while gaining valuable skills and experience in hospitality and housekeeping operations at various Air Force stations nationwide.

The Agnipath Scheme represents a transformative approach to military recruitment, offering a four-year engagement period with comprehensive training, competitive monthly packages, and skill development opportunities. Selected candidates will be enrolled as Agniveervayu Non-Combatant and will be assigned duties in either Hospitality Stream (cooking, kitchen management, food service) or Housekeeping Stream (maintenance, cleaning, tailoring, barbering, and general upkeep activities).

This recruitment is being conducted across 134 Air Force locations throughout India, from Leh in Ladakh to Trivandrum in Kerala, and from Mumbai in Maharashtra to Dimapur in Nagaland. The widespread geographic distribution ensures candidates from all regions can apply to nearby centers. With a transparent selection process based purely on merit, no written examination for basic recruitment, and comprehensive benefits including insurance coverage, this opportunity is ideal for young men looking to serve their country while building essential life skills.

Organization and Recruitment Details

The Indian Air Force is one of the world’s most respected air forces and a critical component of India’s defense infrastructure. Through the Agnipath Scheme, IAF aims to build a skilled, youthful, and dynamic workforce while providing valuable training and experience to India’s youth. Agniveervayu Non-Combatant will form a distinct rank in the IAF, separate from existing ranks, and will serve under the Air Force Act 1950.

Important Dates for Air Force Agniveer Recruitment 2026

Expert Advice: Applications must reach the designated Air Force Station on or before 23 February 2026. Unlike online applications, postal applications take time to reach the destination. Candidates should apply at least 7-10 days before the deadline to ensure their application reaches on time. Since applications can be sent by normal post or dropped in designated drop boxes at Air Force Stations, candidates living near Air Force stations should consider personally dropping their applications to ensure timely receipt.

Application Fee Details

No Application Fee: There is absolutely no application fee for this recruitment. The entire process from application to enrollment is completely free. This is in line with the government’s policy of making defense recruitment accessible to all eligible youth regardless of economic background.

Beware of Frauds: The Indian Air Force explicitly warns candidates against fraudulent agents or individuals claiming to help with recruitment for money. Selection in IAF is fair, transparent, and based purely on merit. No bribe or payment is required at any stage. Candidates should not fall prey to unscrupulous persons posing as recruiting agents. Any such attempts should be reported to authorities immediately.

Age Limit and Date of Birth Eligibility

Age Calculation: Your date of birth as mentioned in your Class 10th/Matriculation certificate will be considered final for age verification. No other document will be accepted as proof of age. If you were born on 02 July 2005, you are eligible. If you were born on 03 January 2009, you are not eligible as it falls after the cutoff date.

Important Age Consideration: Even if you qualify in all selection stages, your age at the time of actual enrollment should not exceed 21 years. This is a critical requirement. The selection process may take several months from application to final enrollment, so candidates should factor in this timeline when considering their eligibility.

Educational Qualification Requirements

Simple Qualification Criteria: The educational qualification requirement is straightforward – you simply need to have passed your Class 10th/Matriculation examination from any recognized education board. There is no minimum percentage requirement, which makes this opportunity accessible to a wide range of candidates. Whether you passed with 40% or 90%, you are equally eligible to apply.

Board Recognition: Your education board must be recognized by the Central Government, State Government, or Union Territory administration. All major boards like CBSE, state boards, and recognized open school boards are acceptable. If you have any doubt about your board’s recognition status, check with your school or the board’s official documentation.

Marital Status and Gender Eligibility

Critical Marital Status Condition: This is an extremely important condition that candidates must understand clearly. Only unmarried male candidates are eligible to apply, and you must remain unmarried throughout the entire four-year engagement period. At the time of enrollment, you will be required to sign a voluntary undertaking accepting this condition.

Why This Restriction: The limited engagement period includes intensive training, skill development, practical training, and formative assessment. The organizational requirement of continued service during this period means longer absences would adversely affect IAF’s operational efficiency. Therefore, marriage during the engagement period is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate discharge from service.

Future Implications: If you aspire to be selected for permanent enrollment in the regular cadre as NC(E) after completing four years, you must remain unmarried. Only unmarried Agniveervayu Non-Combatant are eligible for selection into the regular cadre.

Physical and Medical Standards

Height and Physical Measurements

Vision Standards

Other Medical Standards

Medical Examination Preparation: Candidates should get tartar and stains removed from teeth before medical examination. Ears should be completely free of wax. If you wear corrective glasses, you must carry a prescription from an ophthalmologist with stamp and registration number, dated within one month of the examination.

Important Medical Note: Armed Forces medical standards may differ from civilian standards. The Recruiting Medical Officer and specialist doctors are the final authorities on declaring fitness. There is no provision for representation or review after being declared unfit. Passing medical examination does not guarantee employment – it is just one stage of the selection process.

Vacancy Distribution Across India

The recruitment is being conducted at 134 Air Force locations across India, covering all regions from North to South and East to West. Vacancies are available in two streams:

Location Selection Strategy: Candidates can apply to only one location. Choose the location closest to your hometown for convenience during the application submission process. However, remember that after enrollment, you may be posted anywhere in India based on organizational requirements. The application address and your final posting location may be completely different.

Job Profile and Duties

Hospitality Stream Responsibilities

Candidates in the Hospitality Stream will be trained and assigned duties related to food preparation and service. The comprehensive job profile includes:

• Cooking Operations: Preparing meals for Air Force personnel, learning various cuisines, and maintaining cooking standards
• Kitchen Management: Managing kitchen operations, ensuring cleanliness, organizing ingredients and equipment
• Food Presentation: Presenting dishes attractively, following service protocols, and maintaining hygiene standards
• Sanitation Maintenance: Keeping kitchen and dining areas sanitized and orderly at all times
• Storage Management: Safely storing food items, managing inventory, and handling perishables properly
• Equipment Handling: Operating and maintaining crockery, cutlery, refrigeration, and other kitchen equipment
• Service Operations: Laying tables and chairs, serving food and beverages to personnel

Housekeeping Stream Responsibilities

Candidates in the Housekeeping Stream will perform various maintenance and support tasks. The job profile encompasses:

• Cleaning Operations: Cleaning floors, roads, rooms, bathrooms, commodes, urinals, and all facility areas
• Gardening Work: Cutting grass and hedges, watering gardens, ground leveling, digging trenches
• Maintenance Tasks: Making brooms, washing utensils and clothes, filling and carrying water
• Office Support: Handling office equipment and maintaining cleanliness in administrative areas
• Specialized Skills: Hair cutting, shaving, head massage services for personnel
• Tailoring Work: Cutting, stitching, alteration, and darning of garments
• Leather Work: Stitching leather items, sole making, repair of leather goods, shoe polishing
• Embellishment Work: Making ribbons, badges, and other decorative items
• Pressing Services: Ironing and pressing of uniforms and clothes

Job Assignment: You will be assigned to either Hospitality or Housekeeping stream based on organizational requirements and your performance in the Stream Suitability Test. Both streams are equally important for Air Force operations. Candidates should be mentally prepared and willing to perform any task assigned to them in their designated stream.

Selection Process and Examination Stages

The selection process consists of four distinct phases conducted in sequence. Only candidates clearing each phase proceed to the next stage.

Phase I: Written Test

Written Test Details: The written examination is simple and based on Class 10th level knowledge. You need to score minimum 10 marks out of 20 to qualify. The test will be conducted at the same location where you submitted your application. Questions will test basic English comprehension and general awareness.

Phase II: Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

PFT-1: Running Test

PFT-2: Strength and Endurance Tests

PFT Preparation Tips: Start preparing at least 2-3 months before the test. Focus on building cardiovascular endurance through daily running. Practice push-ups, sit-ups, and squats regularly to build strength. Watch the demo videos available on the official portal to understand the correct form and technique. Candidates who fail to meet height requirements (minimum 152 cm) will be disqualified and not allowed to attempt PFT.

Phase III: Stream Suitability Test (SST)

This is a practical assessment to determine your suitability and willingness to perform tasks in the assigned stream. The test is qualifying in nature, and you must score minimum 50% (15 out of 30 marks) to qualify.

For Hospitality Stream:

• Demonstration of cooking-related tasks including cutting meat, vegetables, fish
• Handling kitchen equipment and preparing simple dishes
• Knowledge of sanitation, hygiene, and cleanliness standards
• Ability to serve food, water, and beverages properly
• Personal hygiene and professional appearance
• Basic knowledge of cooking appliances and kitchen safety

For Housekeeping Stream:

• Ability to sweep floors, clean bathrooms, commodes, urinals
• Grass cutting, garden watering, trench digging capabilities
• Washing utensils and demonstrating cleanliness
• Performance in specialized tasks: washing/ironing clothes OR hair cutting OR leather stitching OR tailoring

Critical SST Requirement: Unwillingness to perform ANY specific task in your assigned stream will lead to immediate disqualification. You must demonstrate a positive attitude and willingness to perform all duties. The assessment is not just about skill but also about attitude and adaptability.

Phase IV: Medical Examination

Candidates qualifying SST will undergo comprehensive medical examination by Air Force Medical Board. The examination includes:

• Complete physical examination covering all body systems
• Blood tests: Hemogram, blood sugar, cholesterol, liver function, kidney function
• Urine examination
• Chest X-ray
• ECG (Electrocardiogram)
• Any other investigation deemed necessary

Candidates should be prepared to stay 4-5 days for medical examination at their own expense. No TA/DA will be provided.

Salary, Package and Benefits

Monthly Package (Agniveer Package)

Seva Nidhi Package (Exit Benefit)

Total Amount on Completion: Approximately ₹10.04 Lakh (excluding interest accumulated on contributions)

This amount comprises your 30% contribution plus matching government contribution over four years. The actual amount will be higher as it will include interest accrued on the corpus fund during the engagement period.

Additional Allowances and Benefits

Leave Entitlements

Important Financial Notes:

• No Provident Fund (PF) contribution required from Agniveervayu
• No gratuity or pension benefits applicable
• Not eligible for Ex-Servicemen status after completion of engagement
• Monthly in-hand salary increases yearly with fixed increments
• Seva Nidhi package is paid as lump sum upon completion of four years

How to Apply for Air Force Agniveer Non-Combatant 2026

The application process is offline and requires candidates to submit physical application forms by post or drop box. Follow these detailed steps carefully:

Step 1: Download Application Forms

Visit the official Agnipath Vayu portal at https://agnipathvayu.cdac.in and navigate to the Agniveervayu Non-Combatant tab. Under the sub-tab “Application Forms”, download:

• Blank application form
• Consent certificate format
• Character certificate format
• All required certificate formats

Step 2: Fill the Application Form

Important Instructions:

• Fill the form in your own clear handwriting using black or blue pen
• Write carefully as data entered will be treated as final – no changes permitted later
• Wrong or incorrect data will disqualify your candidature
• Cross-check all information before finalizing the form
• Ensure all mandatory fields are filled completely

Step 3: Prepare Required Documents

Attach the following documents with your application:

Step 4: Select Application Location

Choose ONE location from the 134 Air Force Stations listed in the notification based on:

• Proximity to your hometown for easy application submission
• Availability of desired stream (Hospitality or Housekeeping or both)
• Your preference for the region

Note: You can apply to only ONE location. Multiple applications will result in total rejection of candidature.

Step 5: Submit Application

You have two options to submit your application:

Option 1: By Normal Post

• Send the complete application with documents to the postal address of your chosen Air Force Station
• Use registered/speed post for tracking (recommended)
• Ensure application reaches before 23 February 2026
• Send well in advance (at least 7-10 days before deadline)

Option 2: Drop Box Submission

• Personally visit the designated drop box location at the Air Force Station
• Drop your application in the official drop box
• This ensures immediate submission and avoids postal delays
• Recommended for candidates living near Air Force Stations

Application Submission Checklist

Documents Required for Selection Test

When you report for the written test (after receiving admit card), you must carry these documents for verification:

Important: Original certificates will be returned after verification at the examination center. Internet copies of mark sheets are not acceptable – only original documents from the issuing board.

Important Instructions and Guidelines

Prohibited Items and Conduct

Permanent Debarment Conditions

Candidates will be permanently debarred from IAF selection if found involved in:

• Using unfair means like copying from written material on paper or body parts
• Carrying prohibited items like Bluetooth devices, wireless devices, spy cameras
• Carrying or possessing chits/slips in exam venue
• Impersonation cases or appearing with forged documents
• Taking snapshots or videos of question papers
• Carrying mobile phone beyond frisking zone
• Threatening or misbehaving with Board members, invigilators, or staff

After Selection – Service Terms

Expert Tips for Successful Application and Selection

1. Start Early with Physical Fitness

Do not wait for the admit card to start preparing for physical fitness tests. Begin a structured fitness routine at least 2-3 months before the expected test date. Focus on building endurance through daily running, and strength through regular push-ups, sit-ups, and squats practice. Watch the demo videos on the official portal to learn correct form and technique.

2. Understand the Job Profile Completely

Read the job descriptions for both streams carefully. You should have a clear understanding that you may be assigned tasks like cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, hair cutting, or any other duty as per organizational needs. Mental preparation and willingness to perform all tasks is crucial for success in Stream Suitability Test.

3. Apply to the Right Location

Choose your application location wisely. While you should select a location convenient for application submission, remember that your final posting can be anywhere in India. Do not select a location based on where you want to be posted, as posting decisions are made by IAF based on organizational requirements.

4. Prepare Documents in Advance

Get your character certificate prepared well in advance from the appropriate authority. Ensure it has the office seal and is not older than 6 months at the time of written test. If you wear glasses, obtain a fresh prescription from an ophthalmologist with proper documentation. Get dental cleaning done if needed.

5. Fill Application Form Carefully

The application form is critical – data entered is final and cannot be changed. Fill it in clear, legible handwriting. Double-check every detail including name spelling, father’s name, date of birth, address, and other information. Even minor errors can lead to disqualification. Take your time and fill the form when you are fresh and alert, not in a rush.

6. Take Photograph as Per Specifications

The photograph requirement is unique – you must hold a black slate with your name and photo date written in white chalk. Ensure the photograph is recent (within 6 months) and follows all specifications. Keep two additional copies of the exact same photograph for enrollment purposes. Do not submit different photographs at different stages.

7. Submit Application Well Before Deadline

Do not wait until 22nd or 23rd February to send your application. If sending by post, submit at least 10 days before the deadline to account for postal delays. If possible, use the drop box facility by personally visiting the Air Force Station to ensure timely and confirmed submission.

8. Be Honest About Medical History

Declare any pre-existing medical conditions, previous medical unfitness declarations, or health issues honestly. Concealment can lead to termination later even after enrollment. If you have been declared unfit by any defense medical authority previously, you must disclose this information along with reasons.

9. Maintain Discipline Throughout Selection

From the moment you enter the examination center, maintain military discipline. Follow all instructions carefully, be respectful to officials and staff, maintain proper conduct, and demonstrate the attitude expected of an Air Force personnel. Your behavior and demeanor are observed throughout the selection process.

10. Keep Checking Official Portal

After submitting your application, regularly check the official portal https://agnipathvayu.cdac.in for updates, admit card release, results, and further instructions. Important notifications are posted only on this portal. Do not rely on third-party websites or unverified sources for information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is there any application fee for Air Force Agniveer Non-Combatant recruitment?

Answer: No, there is absolutely no application fee for this recruitment. The entire process is completely free. Beware of anyone asking for money claiming to help with recruitment – such persons are fraudulent and should be reported.

Q2: What is the age limit for this recruitment?

Answer: Candidates born between 02 July 2005 and 02 January 2009 (both days inclusive) are eligible to apply. Your age at the time of enrollment should not exceed 21 years. Age proof is only Class 10th certificate – no other document is acceptable.

Q3: Can married candidates apply for this recruitment?

Answer: No, only unmarried male candidates are eligible. You must remain unmarried throughout the entire four-year engagement period. You will sign an undertaking at enrollment agreeing not to marry during service. Marriage during the engagement period will result in discharge from service.

Q4: What is the minimum educational qualification required?

Answer: You must have passed Class 10th/Matriculation examination from any education board recognized by Central, State, or UT government. There is no minimum percentage requirement. Result-awaited candidates are not eligible.

Q5: How do I apply for this recruitment?

Answer: This is an offline recruitment. Download application forms from https://agnipathvayu.cdac.in, fill them completely, attach required documents, and send by normal post or drop in the drop box at your chosen Air Force Station. Application must reach before 23 February 2026.

Q6: Can I apply to multiple Air Force Stations?

Answer: No, you can apply to only ONE location. If you submit multiple applications, your entire candidature will be rejected. Choose your location carefully based on convenience for application submission.

Q7: What is the monthly salary of Agniveervayu Non-Combatant?

Answer: In the first year, you will receive ₹30,000 per month, of which ₹21,000 (70%) is in-hand and ₹9,000 (30%) goes to Agniveer Corpus Fund. The salary increases yearly. Government matches your 30% contribution. After 4 years, you receive approximately ₹10.04 lakh as Seva Nidhi Package (excluding interest).

Q8: What are the physical fitness requirements?

Answer: Minimum height 152 cm, chest expansion 5 cm. In PFT, you must complete 1.6 km run in 6 minutes 30 seconds, followed by 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, and 20 squats (each within 1 minute). Vision should be 6/36 correctable to 6/9. Hearing must be normal (able to hear forced whisper from 6 meters).

Q9: Will I get permanent job after 4 years of service?

Answer: Not automatically. Up to 25% of each Agniveervayu batch may be offered permanent enrollment as NC(E) based on performance, organizational requirements, and objective criteria. This is not a right but at IAF’s discretion. You cannot claim employment as a right upon completion of 4 years.

Q10: What happens if I am not selected for permanent enrollment?

Answer: After completing 4 years, you will receive the Seva Nidhi Package (approximately ₹10.04 lakh), a detailed skill certificate, and will be released from service. However, you will not get ex-servicemen status or pension benefits. The skills and experience gained will help in civilian employment.

Q11: What kind of work will I do as Agniveervayu Non-Combatant?

Answer: You will be assigned either to Hospitality Stream (cooking, kitchen management, food service) or Housekeeping Stream (cleaning, maintenance, tailoring, barbering, gardening, etc.) based on organizational needs and your Stream Suitability Test performance. You must be willing to perform any task assigned in your stream.

Q12: Is there any written exam for this recruitment?

Answer: Yes, there is a simple written test of 20 marks covering General English (10 marks) and General Knowledge (10 marks) at Class 10th level. You need minimum 10 marks to qualify. Only those who pass written test can appear for Physical Fitness Test.