Guwahati: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a two-year extension of the engagement period for Agniveers recruited under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, allowing the 75% of the first batch who were earlier due to exit after four years to continue for an additional two years and subsequently apply for enrolment in the regular armed forces.
Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani said the extension, described as a ‘Second Tour of Duty’, would give Agniveers an opportunity to seek permanent enrolment after completing six years of service. Their enrolment will depend on their willingness and fulfilment of prescribed selection criteria.
The first batch of Agniveers is nearing the end of its initial four-year tenure. Under the original scheme, 25% of recruits were eligible for enrolment in the regular forces based on merit, while the remaining 75% were to return to civilian life.
Speaking at a press conference, Subramani said performance evaluations over the past four years had yielded positive feedback on the Agniveers.
“Today is a very significant day for the Indian Defence Forces and for our ‘Agniveers’. The Cabinet has created a pathway for all Agniveers to be absorbed into the Indian Army,” he said.
He added that the Agnipath scheme, introduced on June 14, 2022, had envisaged continuous performance assessments and periodic reviews.
“Previously, the provision was for 75% of the Agniveers to transition back into society as disciplined and motivated youth. However, under this updated scheme, the remaining 75% of Agniveers will now be offered an additional engagement period of two years,” Subramani said.
“Upon completion of this two-year period, all those who are willing will be enrolled into the armed forces, subject to objective selection criteria. These are the four major aspects of this scheme. After the two years, they will be given an option to get absorbed, subject to their willingness and an objective selection process,” he added.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the decision, describing it as a continuation of structural reforms in the armed forces.
In a post on X, Singh said the Cabinet had approved a two-year ‘Second Tour of Duty’ for Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme. He said the arrangement would provide an opportunity for willing Agniveers to seek enrolment as regular soldiers after completing four or six years of service.
Singh said the decision is aimed at preparing the armed forces for changing patterns of warfare by building a younger, fitter and technologically equipped military.
The Agnipath scheme was introduced by the Union Cabinet in 2022 to recruit personnel into the Army, Navy and Air Force for an initial period of four years under the respective service acts. Under the original arrangement, up to 25% of each batch could be retained in the regular forces, while the rest would leave service after completing their tenure.
The scheme has faced criticism over the four-year service period and the employment prospects of those released from the forces. Several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra, have announced reservation provisions for former Agniveers in police and other government services.