New Delhi: The Modi-led central government has taken a significant decision regarding the future of Agniveers recruited under the Agnipath scheme. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has announced that 75% of the first batch of Agniveers will be granted a two-year service extension upon the completion of their initial four-year tenure. This decision is part of a major policy shift approved by the Union Cabinet, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the scheme.
Under the existing framework, only 25% of Agniveers were absorbed into the permanent cadre after completing four years of service, while the remaining 75% were discharged with a ‘Seva Nidhi’ (severance) package. With this new decision, 75% of the Agniveers will now receive an additional two-year service period. The CDS clarified that following this two-year extension, these Agniveers will be given an opportunity to transition into regular service—a prospect contingent upon both their own willingness and an assessment by the military. This significant change follows positive feedback regarding the performance of Agniveers from military commanders and those serving on the ground. Army officials believe that this move will help meet operational requirements by retaining trained and experienced personnel for a longer duration, rather than discharging them abruptly.
This will ensure continuity in the preparedness of the defence forces and guarantee the availability of a well-trained force.
The Agnipath scheme, designed as a new pathway for youth to join the armed forces, had previously drawn scrutiny due to concerns regarding the loss of experience—as most personnel were set to leave after four years—and anxieties about the future of these recruits. This Cabinet decision addresses these concerns, offering benefits to both the military and the Agniveers.
The additional two years will provide Agniveers with greater stability, continued salary, and a crucial opportunity to transition into regular service, thereby reducing uncertainty about their future. This makes the scheme more practical and attractive, which is expected to bolster confidence among the youth. Experts view this move as a positive response to the plan and a significant step toward meeting the long-term requirements of the armed forces. Performance-based evaluation will help in maintaining quality. Detailed information regarding the terms of the extended tenure, salary structure, and evaluation process is expected to be released in the coming days. This decision represents a positive advancement toward building self-reliant and robust armed forces, as well as making better use of the nation’s youth power.
