AAI Manager (Architecture) 2026 Free Guess Paper

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) usually fills junior posts through the GATE score. For the Manager (Architecture) post, AAI runs a separate exam for the first time. This change means architects who missed the GATE cycle now have a direct path into a senior PSU role.

TL;DR

• AAI has opened 4 vacancies for Manager (Architecture), a permanent PSU post.
• The annual package is ₹21 lakh.
• The exam carries 120 marks over 2 hours, with no negative marking.
• Part A (General Knowledge, General Intelligence, General Aptitude, English) holds 30% weightage. Part B (Architecture) holds 70% weightage.
• The maximum age for applicants is 32 years as of the application deadline.
• A structured 9-week study plan can cover the full syllabus before the exam date.

Vacancies, Salary, and Key Dates

AAI has released 4 vacancies for the Manager (Architecture) post. The role pays an annual package of ₹21 lakh. This figure places the post above most entry-level PSU architecture jobs, since AAI classifies it one level above the junior executive grade filled through GATE.

The application window opened on August 8 and closed on September 7. AAI has not yet announced the exam date. The post is permanent, which adds job security value on top of the salary.

Eligibility Criteria

A candidate needs a bachelor’s degree in Architecture. The candidate must also hold registration with the Council of Architecture (COA). The maximum age is 32 years, counted as of September 7, the last date for applications. Candidates must confirm their COA registration status before they apply, since AAI checks this at the eligibility stage.

Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

The exam is computer-based. It carries 120 marks and runs for 2 hours. There is no negative marking, so candidates can attempt every question without a penalty for a wrong answer.

The paper splits into two parts.

Part A tests general knowledge through current affairs, general intelligence through logical reasoning, general aptitude through school-level mathematics, and English through comprehension and grammar. Part B carries most of the marks, so a candidate’s core architecture knowledge decides the final result.

Syllabus Breakdown

Part B maps closely to a standard 5-year architecture degree, with one clear addition.

Civil aviation awareness is the one topic outside a standard architecture curriculum. Airport-specific interior design, covering baggage carousels and security equipment layout, also sits outside most college coursework. Every other topic draws on subjects a candidate has already studied.

A 9-Week Preparation Strategy

A 9 to 10-week plan, spread over roughly 60 to 65 days, can cover the full syllabus before the exam. The plan front-loads the heaviest topics and leaves lighter topics for later weeks.

Part A does not get a dedicated week. A candidate must practice Part A daily, since most architects lose touch with school-level mathematics and current affairs after their degree. A daily routine of 30 to 45 minutes for general aptitude and reasoning, plus 15 minutes for civil aviation current affairs, keeps this section active through the full 9 weeks.

In the final week, a candidate should shift to 3 days of focused Part A revision with timed sectional mock tests. This section carries lower familiarity for most architects, so it needs concentrated attention close to the exam date.

Mock Tests and Final Revision

After the full syllabus is complete, a candidate should attempt 4 to 5 full-length mock tests of 120 questions in 2 hours each. Each mock test should get reviewed on the same day, so weak topics stay fresh in memory during the review.

The last 2 days before the exam should have no new topics and no new study resources. A candidate should revise existing notes instead of adding new books, since new material this close to the exam raises confusion rather than scores.

Reference Materials by Topic

For site planning, structures, and building services, the National Building Code (NBC) parts 6, 8, and 9 cover most questions, along with Time-Saver Standards. For structural material questions, Rangwala, S.K. Duggal, and R.K. Bansal cover strength of materials. For construction techniques, B.N. Dutta and Punmia apply, and Chitkara covers CPM/PERT concepts for project management questions.

For green building topics, the TERI, GRIHA, and Bureau of Energy Efficiency websites carry updated ratings and publications. For computer-aided design, the Autodesk and Esri websites cover current software applications. For landscape design, Time-Saver Standards and Norman Booth’s work apply, and for interior design, Francis D.K. Ching’s work applies.

For civil aviation awareness, the AAI official website, the Ministry of Civil Aviation website, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), specifically Annex 14, cover terminology and design standards.

For Part A, the Manorama Yearbook or Pratiyogita Darpan cover static general knowledge. R.S. Aggarwal covers reasoning and aptitude. Wren and Martin and S.P. Bakshi cover English grammar and comprehension.

Coaching Cost and Preparation Tools

Structured coaching packages for this exam are priced close to ₹8,000 for a full course covering live classes, recorded lectures, and mock tests. A candidate should weigh this cost against the daily discipline a self-study plan demands, since Part A alone needs consistent daily practice across 9 weeks. Self-study with the reference list above works for a candidate with strong time management, while a structured package works for a candidate who needs a fixed schedule and instructor feedback.

Common Questions

What is the salary for AAI Manager (Architecture)? The annual package is ₹21 lakh.

How many vacancies are open for AAI Manager (Architecture)? AAI has released 4 vacancies for this post.

What is the age limit for AAI Manager (Architecture)? The maximum age is 32 years, counted as of the last date for applications.

Is there negative marking in the AAI Manager (Architecture) exam? No. The exam carries 120 marks with no negative marking.

What weightage does the architecture subject carry? Part B, the architecture core subject, carries 70% of the total weightage. Part A carries 30%.

What This Means for Candidates

This exam is the first cycle for the Manager (Architecture) post, so no prior cutoff or difficulty pattern exists yet. This gives every applicant an equal starting point. A candidate who builds a structured 9-week plan, keeps daily Part A practice, and limits reference material to one source per topic has a clear path to cover the syllabus before the exam date. The result will depend on consistent core-subject depth, since Part B carries most of the weightage.