The Centre has approved a major revision to the Agnipath recruitment scheme, offering an additional two-year service period to the 75% of Agniveers who are not selected for regular enrolment after their initial four-year tenure. The decision was announced by Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani on November 4, following a Union Cabinet approval based on recommendations from the three services.
Under the revised arrangement, 25% of Agniveers will continue to be considered for regular enrolment after completing their first four years, as provided under the original scheme. The remaining 75% will be offered another two-year engagement period, subject to their willingness.
After completing six years of service, these Agniveers will get another opportunity to join the regular Armed Forces, subject to their willingness and fulfilment of prescribed selection criteria. The government has not guaranteed permanent enrolment to all recruits.
Higher Remuneration and Seva Nidhi Benefits
The additional two-year engagement period will come with higher remuneration, an enhanced Seva Nidhi package and cumulative seniority benefits. The revised arrangement is intended to provide Agniveers with a longer period of service and another opportunity to qualify for regular positions.
The first batch of Agniveers, recruited in 2022, was expected to complete its four-year tenure in December 2026. Around 18,000 personnel from this batch were due to leave the Armed Forces under the original arrangement.
The CDS said the decision followed a four-year assessment of the scheme, with the Defence Forces reporting positive feedback on Agniveers’ physical fitness, motivation, discipline, skills and technological adaptability.
Changes to Recruitment Process
The Centre has also announced changes to the Agniveer recruitment process. The written examination will now take place before the physical fitness test, reversing the earlier sequence. Agniveers will also receive skill certificates recognising the training and experience gained during their service.
The government has said the Agnipath scheme will continue, with the revised engagement pathway forming part of its broader defence recruitment structure.
Government Calls It ‘Second Tour of Duty’
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the additional two-year period as a ‘Second Tour of Duty’. The government said the changes would support the development of a younger, fitter and technologically equipped military while providing willing Agniveers with a longer opportunity to serve.
Opposition Questions the Revision
The announcement has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, who have questioned why the government has retained the four-year entry structure instead of providing regular military employment.
Congress leaders described the revision as a departure from the original framework and argued that the uncertainty over permanent enrolment remains. NCP-SP leader Clyde Crasto called the move an ‘election gimmick’, questioning the employment prospects of those who may still not qualify for regular service after six years.
Samajwadi Party leaders also sought clarity on the long-term career prospects of Agniveers. Meanwhile, the government maintains that the revised pathway is based on the Defence Forces’ performance assessment and organisational requirements.
The changes mark a significant adjustment to the Agnipath scheme, which was introduced in 2022 to recruit young personnel for a four-year term, with up to 25% eligible for retention in the regular cadre.
