Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani announced on November 4 that 75% of Agniveers who are not chosen for regular enrolment after their initial four-year tenure will receive a two-year extension. This will increase their total engagement with the armed forces to six years.
After completing the extended tenure, these personnel will have another opportunity to be considered for regular service. Their selection will depend on performance evaluation and the applicable selection criteria.
General Subramani said the first batch of Agniveers was nearing the end of its four-year service period and that feedback on their performance had been positive. He added that the armed forces had recommended the extension and that the Cabinet had approved the proposal.
Performance to remain central to selection
The CDS said performance and achievements would continue to play a key role in determining the future engagement of Agniveers. Those who complete the additional two years will be assessed again for possible enrolment in the regular forces under the proposed selection process.
On the future of the Agnipath scheme, General Subramani said its implementation would follow the prescribed rules, while indicating that the arrangements were not fixed permanently. He said the scheme would need to be reviewed in light of experience.
The armed forces are also creating opportunities for Agniveers across different branches. Their training and assessment will cover physical fitness, adaptability, technological understanding and the ability to take on varied responsibilities.
Training to include education and skill development
According to the CDS, Agniveer training extends beyond physical fitness. It includes moral values, technological knowledge and skill enhancement. Personnel will also have opportunities to improve their educational qualifications, including progression from Class 10 to Class 12 and from Class 12 to graduation.
Pay, promotions and service conditions were also discussed. The remuneration figures cited were Rs 43,500 in the first year and Rs 47,000 in the second year.
The Seva Nidhi package available under the existing scheme will continue. Details relating to remuneration and roles during the extended period will be governed by the applicable guidelines.
Details of the Agnipath scheme
Introduced in June 2022, the Agnipath scheme provides for the recruitment of young personnel into the Army, Navy and Air Force for an initial four-year period.
Under the original framework, up to 25% of each batch could be selected for permanent enrolment in the regular cadre. The selection was to be based on performance, organisational requirements and other prescribed criteria.
Those not selected for regular service were originally required to leave after four years and receive a one-time Seva Nidhi package. The scheme also provided skill certificates to support their pursuit of employment outside the armed forces.
The first batch is now approaching the completion of its engagement period. The Navy's first cohort is scheduled to complete its tenure on November 21, followed by the Air Force on December 21 and the Army on December 31.
More than 18,000 personnel from the first batch were expected to complete their four-year service by the end of 2026. The latest decision adds a further two-year service period for those not selected for regular enrolment, while retaining performance-based assessment as a key element of the selection process.
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