
AAI Manager (Operations) 2026 Free Guess Paper
AAI Manager Operations PYQ analysis for the 26 October 2026 CBT. Get the exam pattern, cut-off trend, Part B syllabus, salary, and a 25-day plan.
The AAI Manager (Operations) computer-based test (CBT) takes place on 26 October 2026, which is 25 days from today. This AAI Manager Operations PYQ analysis shows what past papers teach and where they stop. AAI offers only 28 seats, so a small score gap can decide the result.
TL;DR
- The CBT carries 120 marks in 120 minutes. Wrong answers carry no penalty.
- Part A (general ability) and Part B (airport operations) carry 50% each.
- AAI listed 28 Manager (Operations) vacancies. Only 13 are unreserved.
- The General final cut-off for Junior Executive (Operations) rose from 98 in 2018 to 109.788 in 2020.
- Junior Executive papers help with Part A and timing. They cover Manager Part B only through aviation questions.
- The post pays ₹60,000 to ₹1,80,000 a month, with an annual CTC of about ₹21 lakh.
AAI Manager Operations Exam Pattern: Two Parts, Equal Weight
The CBT has 120 marks and runs for 120 minutes. Each correct answer earns one mark. AAI applies no negative marking, so a blank answer earns nothing and a guess carries no risk. Candidates must answer every question.
Part A and Part B carry 60 marks each. Part A tests general ability. Part B tests airport operations knowledge. A strong Part B cannot cover a weak Part A, so both parts need equal study time.
| Manager (Operations) CBT structure | Value |
|---|---|
| Total marks | 120 |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Part A weightage (general ability) | 50% (60 marks) |
| Part B weightage (airport operations) | 50% (60 marks) |
| Negative marking | None |
| Exam date | 26 October 2026 |
| Language | English and Hindi |
Vacancy Trend: Why 28 Seats Raise the Bar
AAI listed 28 Manager (Operations) posts. That is 10.8% of the 260 Manager posts and 7.2% of all 389 posts in this cycle. Junior Executive (Operations) has 79 posts, almost three times as many. Fewer seats usually push the merit line higher.
The unreserved quota holds 13 seats, or 46% of the post. The reserved groups share 15 seats. EWS and ST hold only 2 seats each, so those merit lists are very short. Candidates in these groups need a clear margin above the expected line.
| Category | Manager (Operations) vacancies |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 13 |
| EWS | 2 |
| OBC | 7 |
| SC | 4 |
| ST | 2 |
| Total | 28 |
AAI Manager Operations PYQ Analysis: What Past Papers Show
AAI ran Junior Executive (Operations) recruitment in 2018 and 2020. These papers are the closest question bank for the Manager post. Both posts accept a B.Sc. plus MBA or a B.E./B.Tech degree. Both CBTs split marks 50:50 between Part A and Part B.
The Junior Executive paper has 120 questions for 120 marks. Practice on it trains pace, option elimination, and accuracy under a one-minute-per-mark limit.
| Junior Executive (Operations) CBT subject | Questions | Part |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Aptitude | 15 | A |
| English Language | 15 | A |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 15 | A |
| General Awareness and Aviation Industry | 15 | A |
| Mathematics | 24 | B |
| Physics | 24 | B |
| Business Management | 12 | B |
| Total | 120 | A + B |
Part A Transfers Directly
Part A splits into four equal blocks of 15 questions. Each block holds 25% of Part A and 12.5% of the full paper. No single subject dominates, so skipping one block costs up to 15 marks. The General Awareness block also covers the aviation industry, which links it to Part B.
Part B Differs From the Junior Executive Paper
The Junior Executive Part B tests Mathematics (24), Physics (24), and Business Management (12). The Manager Part B syllabus lists airport operations topics instead. Junior Executive papers therefore reach Manager Part B only through their aviation questions.
This gap changes how a candidate uses past papers. Use Junior Executive papers for Part A and timing. Build Part B from the syllabus topics below.
AAI Manager Operations Syllabus 2026: Part B Topic Map
Part B has eleven topic blocks. Each block has a fixed list of terms, rules, and procedures. Scenario questions on emergencies and driving rules test procedure, so candidates must know the reason behind each rule. Rote lists alone leave gaps.
| Part B topic block | Items to study |
|---|---|
| Airside definitions | Runway, taxiway, apron, threshold, clearway, stopway, movement area, RESA |
| Aviation abbreviations | FOD, ACN, PCN, TORA, TODA, LDA, ASDA, RVR, NOTAM |
| Parts of aircraft | Rudder, slats, flaps, aileron, horizontal stabilizer |
| Navigation aids | ILS, NDB, DVOR, PAPI, aerodrome beacon |
| Runway and taxiway markings | Markings and lighting for runways and taxiways |
| Aviation legislation | Aircraft Act 1934, Aircraft Rules 1937, AAI (Management of Airports) Regulations 2003 |
| Airside driving rules | Right of way, ATC clearance before runway crossing, FOD reporting |
| Aircraft emergencies | Local standby, full emergency, crash, fire, fuel spillage, bomb threat, LVP standby |
| Apron hazards | Vehicles, pedestrians, weather, dangerous goods, FOD, runway incursions |
| Safety management system | Hazard identification, risk analysis, risk assessment, risk treatment |
| Terminal management | ICAO Annex 9, FIDS, BCAS entry pass rules, VIP movement, bomb threat management |
AAI Manager Operations Cut Off: The Two-Cycle Trend
Junior Executive (Operations) cut-offs show how fast the merit line rises. The General final cut-off climbed 11.788 marks in one cycle. The ST cut-off climbed 17.034 marks. The gap between General and ST shrank from 14 marks to 8.754 marks, so reserved candidates cannot assume a lower bar.
| Category | 2018 final cut-off (out of 120) | 2020 final cut-off (out of 120) | Rise in marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 98 | 109.788 | 11.788 |
| EWS | Not applicable | 106.000 | Not applicable |
| OBC | 93 | 107.600 | 14.600 |
| SC | 88 | 101.000 | 13.000 |
| ST | 84 | 101.034 | 17.034 |
Final Lines Sit Above Written Lines
The 2020 General written cut-off was 107.600. The final cut-off after document verification was 109.788, a rise of 2.188 marks. OBC rose 4.377 marks and ST rose 5.471 marks between the same stages. A score that clears the written line can still miss the final list, so candidates need a buffer.
What 110 Marks Demands
A score of 98 equals 81.7% accuracy. A score of 109.788 equals 91.5% accuracy. A score near 110 allows only 10 missed marks in 120. Estimates for the 2026 Junior Executive General cut-off range from 108 to 112. Manager (Operations) has fewer seats, so plan for a target near 110.
AAI Manager Operations Preparation Strategy for the Last 25 Days
The paper gives one minute per mark, and wrong answers cost nothing. The plan must therefore build speed and breadth. Split study time equally between Part A and Part B, because both carry 60 marks. Do not start new topics in the last three days.
| Dates | Focus | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 8 October | Part B definitions, abbreviations, aircraft parts, navigation aids, markings | Short notes for six blocks |
| 9 to 15 October | Part B legislation, driving rules, emergencies, SMS, terminal management. Part A reasoning and quantitative drills | Short notes for five blocks |
| 16 to 22 October | Full 120-minute mocks. Part A English and aviation news | Score and error log for each mock |
| 23 to 25 October | Revision of notes and error logs only | One-page summary per block |
Manager posts also include an interview after the CBT. Practice explaining airport procedures aloud in the final week. This builds the same recall that Part B needs.
AAI Manager Operations Eligibility and Application Fee
Applicants need a B.Sc. plus MBA, or a B.E./B.Tech degree, and 3 years of post-qualification experience. The maximum age is 32 years as of 7 September 2026. SC and ST candidates get 5 years of relaxation, OBC non-creamy layer candidates get 3 years, and PwBD candidates get 10 years. The application window ran from 8 August to 7 September 2026.
The fee is ₹1,000 including GST for General, OBC, and EWS candidates. SC, ST, PwBD, and women candidates pay nothing. AAI apprentices who completed one year of training also pay nothing. The fee equals 1.7% of the ₹60,000 starting basic pay, and payment is online only.
AAI Manager Salary Against Junior Executive Salary
The Manager scale starts 50% higher than the Junior Executive scale. The annual CTC is ₹7 lakh higher. The top of the Manager scale is ₹40,000 above the Junior Executive top. The extra pay comes with a 3-year experience rule and an interview stage.
| Post | Grade | Monthly pay scale | Approximate annual CTC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manager (Operations) | E-3 (Group A) | ₹60,000 to ₹1,80,000 | ₹21 lakh |
| Junior Executive (Operations) | E-1 (Group B) | ₹40,000 to ₹1,40,000 | ₹14 lakh |
Common Questions
When is the AAI Manager (Operations) exam?
The CBT takes place on 26 October 2026. AAI scheduled it for post code 08.
Is there negative marking?
No. AAI deducts nothing for a wrong answer. Answer every question.
How many vacancies does AAI offer?
AAI listed 28 vacancies. The split is 13 General, 2 EWS, 7 OBC, 4 SC, and 2 ST.
Does the selection include an interview?
Yes. Manager posts include an interview after the CBT and application verification.
Are Junior Executive papers useful for this exam?
Yes, for Part A and for timing. They do not cover most of the Manager Part B topics.
What is the salary of an AAI Manager?
The pay scale is ₹60,000 to ₹1,80,000 a month. The annual CTC is about ₹21 lakh.
What This Trend Means for Your Next 25 Days
The trend has three parts. Seats are few, cut-offs rose by 11 to 17 marks in one cycle, and wrong answers carry no penalty. Together, these facts reward accuracy in Part A and complete coverage in Part B.
Your next step is clear. Finish the eleven Part B blocks by 15 October. Start timed mocks on 16 October and aim for 110. After the CBT, prepare for the interview, because the final merit list depends on both stages.
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