The Airports Authority of India (AAI), a Mini Ratna Category-1 Government of India Public Sector Enterprise, has released Advertisement No. 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT for 389 Manager (Group A) and Junior Executive (Group B) posts across 15 disciplines, with applications open from 8 August to 7 September 2026. The official detailed syllabus for Advt No. 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT has not been released yet – AAI has stated in the notification that it will be uploaded separately under the “Syllabus” column on aai.aero closer to the CBT date. What the notification confirms is that the exam will be a Computer Based Test (CBT), objective type, bilingual (Hindi and English), with no negative marking. This post covers the confirmed selection process, the confirmed exam features, and the previous AAI cycle exam structure as a preparation reference, clearly marked throughout.
Important Note: Three things every AAI 2026 candidate must keep in mind. First, the official 2026 syllabus has not been released as on the date of this post – everything on the subject distribution, question counts and section-wise weightage below is drawn from the previous AAI Junior Executive cycle as a preparation starting point, not from the official 2026 notification; check the “Syllabus” column of Advt No. 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT on aai.aero regularly for the official 2026 syllabus upload. Second, the selection process differs significantly by post code – Manager posts (Post Codes 1 to 11) have a mandatory Personal Interview after the CBT and application verification, while Junior Executive posts (Finance, Law, Operations and Survey and Cartography, Post Codes 12 to 15) do not have an interview stage; additionally, Manager (Fire Services) candidates must clear a Physical Measurement Test, a Physical Endurance Test and a Driving Test before the interview. Knowing which pipeline your post follows helps you plan preparation time for both CBT and the post-CBT stage. Third, there is no negative marking, so you should attempt every question in the CBT; leaving questions unanswered is a direct loss of marks.
AAI Manager and Junior Executive Syllabus 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Advertisement No. | 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT |
| Posts | Manager (Group A) and Junior Executive (Group B) |
| Total Vacancies | 389 (260 Manager + 129 Junior Executive) |
| Application Window | 8 August 2026 to 7 September 2026 |
| Official Syllabus Status | Not yet released. AAI will upload it under the “Syllabus” column of Advt No. 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT on aai.aero closer to the CBT date |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT), Objective type |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
| Exam Language | Bilingual (Hindi and English), except for language-specific tests |
| Official Website | aai.aero |
Selection Process
The selection pipeline differs by post. Every candidate must clear the CBT first.
| Stage | Manager Posts (Post Codes 1 to 11) | Junior Executive Posts (Post Codes 12 to 15) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Computer Based Test (CBT) | Mandatory for all | Mandatory for all |
| 2. Application Verification | After CBT shortlisting | After CBT shortlisting |
| 3. Physical Tests | Only for Manager (Fire Services) – Physical Measurement Test, Physical Endurance Test and Driving Test | Not applicable |
| 4. Personal Interview | Mandatory for all Manager posts | Not applicable |
| 5. Medical Examination | Before final appointment | Before final appointment |
| 6. Document Verification | Before joining | Before joining |
Physical Endurance Test for Manager (Fire Services) consists of running, rope climbing and ladder climbing, in addition to the Physical Measurement Test and Driving Test, held before the interview stage.
AAI has not disclosed a stage-wise merit weightage formula (such as CBT marks to interview marks ratio) in the notification.
Confirmed CBT Exam Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Question Type | Objective, Multiple Choice Questions |
| Mode | Computer Based Test (Online) |
| Language | Bilingual (Hindi and English), except language-specific papers |
| Negative Marking | None. No marks are deducted for wrong answers |
| Total Questions | Not yet specified in the official notification |
| Total Marks | Not yet specified in the official notification |
| Duration | Not yet specified in the official notification |
The full exam structure including total questions, total marks, duration and section-wise distribution will be available in the official syllabus on aai.aero. Until then, the previous cycle structure below is available as reference only.
CBT Exam Pattern – Previous AAI Cycle Reference (Not Confirmed for 2026)
The following is based on the previous AAI Junior Executive recruitment cycle. It is shared as a preparation reference only and is not confirmed for 2026. Question counts, marks and duration may change. Verify against the official 2026 syllabus when published on aai.aero.
| Part | Coverage | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | English Language, General Intelligence and Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and Numerical Ability, General Awareness | Common to all candidates and post codes |
| Part B | Discipline-specific professional and technical knowledge for the post applied for | Varies by post code and discipline |
The Part A and Part B structure with broadly equal or 30:70 weightage split between general and technical sections has been consistent across previous AAI CBT cycles. However, exact section-wise weightage for 2026 is not confirmed.
AAI Manager and Junior Executive Syllabus 2026 – Subject Areas (Previous Cycle Reference)
Status: Official 2026 syllabus not yet published. The following subject areas are based on the previous AAI cycle and general PSU CBT patterns. Use as a preparation starting point only.
Part A – Common to All Posts
1. English Language
- Grammar and sentence structure
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms
- Sentence rearrangement, error detection and correction
- Fill in the blanks and cloze test
2. General Intelligence and Reasoning
- Verbal and non-verbal reasoning
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Series completion, analogy, coding-decoding
- Syllogism, blood relations, direction sense
- Data sufficiency and arrangement problems
3. Quantitative Aptitude and Numerical Ability
- Arithmetic: percentages, profit and loss, time-speed-distance, work and time, averages, ratios
- Algebra and mensuration basics
- Data interpretation: tables, charts, graphs
- Number systems and simplification
4. General Awareness
- Current affairs at national and international level
- Aviation sector and AAI-specific general knowledge
- Indian economy, polity, geography and science
- Awards, sports, environment and technology
Part B – Discipline-Specific Professional and Technical Knowledge
This section varies entirely by post code. Candidates should prepare core subject knowledge from their qualifying degree or diploma syllabus for their respective discipline.
| Post | Key Areas of Professional Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Manager and Junior Executive (Finance) | Financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, auditing, financial management, commercial laws, cost accounting |
| Manager and Junior Executive (Law) | Contract law, constitutional law, labour law, company law, civil procedure, criminal law, arbitration, intellectual property |
| Manager and Junior Executive (Operations) | Airport operations, Air Traffic Control basics, aviation regulations, ICAO and DGCA standards, airside and terminal operations |
| Manager and Junior Executive (IT) | Data structures, algorithms, operating systems, networking, databases, software engineering, cybersecurity basics |
| Manager (Civil Engineering) | Structural engineering, construction materials, RCC design, transportation engineering, fluid mechanics, surveying |
| Manager (Electrical Engineering) | Electrical machines, power systems, circuit theory, control systems, electrical installations, switchgear and protection |
| Manager (Architecture) | Architectural design, building materials, town planning, building byelaws, environmental control in buildings |
| Manager (Fire Services) | Fire fighting principles, fire prevention, fire safety, hazardous materials, emergency response, rescue operations |
| Manager (Survey and Cartography) | Surveying techniques, GIS and remote sensing, geodesy, cartography, aerial photogrammetry, mapping standards |
| Manager (Commercial) | Commercial management, revenue management, contracts, airport commercial operations, retail and concession management |
| Manager (Corporate Planning) | Strategic management, business planning, corporate governance, financial analysis, project management |
| Manager (Corporate Communications) | Public relations, media management, crisis communication, digital communications, branding, stakeholder management |
Exact topic-wise weightage for Part B is not specified in the official notification. Once the official 2026 syllabus is published on aai.aero, it will be the authoritative source for what each discipline’s Part B covers.
Manager (Fire Services) – Physical Tests (Pre-Interview)
Candidates shortlisted after the CBT for Manager (Fire Services) must additionally clear the following before the interview:
| Test | Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Measurement Test | Height and chest measurements as prescribed by AAI |
| Physical Endurance Test | Running, rope climbing and ladder climbing |
| Driving Test | As prescribed by AAI for Fire Services candidates |
Specific measurement standards and distances are published in the official notification on aai.aero.
Preparation Strategy
Since the official 2026 syllabus is pending, the strategy below is structured around what is confirmed.
Step 1 – Start with Part A immediately. General Awareness, English, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude are common across all 15 post codes. These subjects build your base score regardless of discipline and are the same whether you applied for Finance, Civil, Electrical or Operations.
Step 2 – Go back to your degree or diploma syllabus for Part B. AAI has not released a separate technical syllabus. The safest approach is to revise fundamentals from your graduation subjects in your respective discipline, since previous AAI cycles have tested degree-level knowledge in Part B.
Step 3 – Attempt every question. There is no negative marking. Do not leave any question unanswered in the CBT. Even an educated guess is better than a blank.
Step 4 – Track the official syllabus column on aai.aero. AAI has committed to uploading the 2026 syllabus under the “Syllabus” column of Advt No. 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT. Bookmark that page and check it periodically.
Step 5 – If applying for a Manager post, prepare for the Interview in parallel. Post Codes 1 to 11 carry a mandatory interview after CBT. Keep your subject fundamentals sharp and start thinking about how to present your professional knowledge and communication even while you are in the CBT preparation phase.
Step 6 – If applying for Manager (Fire Services), begin physical preparation immediately. The Physical Endurance Test involves running, rope climbing and ladder climbing, which require sustained physical conditioning. Waiting until after the CBT result may not leave enough lead time.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official AAI Syllabus Page for Advt No. 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| AAI Official Website | Click Here |
AAI Manager and Junior Executive Syllabus 2026 – FAQs
Q1. Has the official AAI Manager and Junior Executive Syllabus 2026 been released?
✅ Not yet. The AAI notification for Advt No. 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT confirms that the detailed syllabus will be uploaded separately under the “Syllabus” column on aai.aero closer to the CBT date. Until then, subject areas from the previous AAI cycle are available as a preparation reference only.
Q2. What is the exam pattern for AAI Manager and Junior Executive 2026?
✅ The confirmed features are: a Computer Based Test (CBT) with objective Multiple Choice Questions, conducted in bilingual format (Hindi and English), with no negative marking for wrong answers. Total questions, marks, duration and section-wise distribution will be in the official syllabus when published.
Q3. Is there negative marking in the AAI 2026 CBT?
✅ No. The official notification confirms there is no negative marking for wrong answers. Candidates should attempt every question.
Q4. What subjects are covered in the AAI CBT?
✅ Based on the previous AAI cycle, the CBT has two parts. Part A covers English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness, and is common to all post codes. Part B covers discipline-specific professional or technical knowledge and varies by post. This structure is not yet officially confirmed for 2026 – refer to the official syllabus on aai.aero once published.
Q5. What is the selection process for Manager posts?
✅ For Manager posts (Post Codes 1 to 11): CBT, then Application Verification, then Personal Interview (with Physical Tests additionally for Manager Fire Services before the interview), then Medical Examination before joining. For Junior Executive posts (Post Codes 12 to 15): CBT, then Application Verification, then Medical Examination. Junior Executive posts do not have a Personal Interview stage.
Q6. What physical tests are there for Manager Fire Services?
✅ Candidates shortlisted in the CBT for Manager (Fire Services) must additionally clear a Physical Measurement Test, a Physical Endurance Test (running, rope climbing, ladder climbing) and a Driving Test before the Personal Interview. Detailed standards are in the official notification on aai.aero.
Q7. What is the total number of posts and what are the disciplines?
✅ 389 posts in total – 260 Manager (Group A) and 129 Junior Executive (Group B) across 15 disciplines including Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Finance, Operations, Information Technology, Law, Architecture, Fire Services, Commercial, Survey and Cartography, Corporate Planning and Corporate Communications. Details are in Advt No. 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT.
Q8. What should I study for Part B while waiting for the official syllabus?
✅ Go back to your qualifying degree or diploma syllabus in your respective discipline. AAI’s previous cycles have tested core degree-level technical and professional knowledge in Part B. Finance candidates should revise accounting and financial management; Engineering candidates should revise core engineering subjects; Law candidates should revise LLB core papers; Operations candidates should revise aviation operations and ICAO standards.
Q9. Where will the official 2026 syllabus be published?
✅ AAI has stated in the notification that the detailed syllabus will be uploaded under the “Syllabus” column of Advt No. 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT on the official AAI website aai.aero. Candidates should check that page directly rather than relying on third-party sources.
Q10. When is the last date to apply for AAI Manager and Junior Executive Recruitment 2026?
✅ The online application window is open from 8 August 2026 to 7 September 2026 on the official AAI careers portal at aai.aero. The cut-off date for age and qualification eligibility is 7 September 2026.
Disclaimer
The information above relates to the syllabus and exam pattern for Airports Authority of India (AAI) Manager (Group A) and Junior Executive (Group B) Recruitment 2026 under Advertisement No. 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT, issued by the Airports Authority of India, a Mini Ratna Category-1 Government of India Public Sector Enterprise. The official detailed syllabus for the 2026 cycle has not been released as on the date of this post. AAI has confirmed in the notification that the detailed syllabus will be uploaded separately under the “Syllabus” column of Advt No. 12/2026/CHQ/DR-CBT on aai.aero closer to the CBT date. The confirmed features – CBT, objective type, bilingual, no negative marking, interview for Manager posts, physical tests for Fire Services – are sourced from the official notification. All subject area content and previous-cycle exam pattern details are historical reference and are clearly marked as such throughout this post. Once AAI uploads the official 2026 syllabus, that document on aai.aero supersedes all reference content here. All links above lead only to the official AAI website.
