Centre Revises Agnipath Scheme, Extends Agniveers’ Service Tenure To Six Years

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a major revision to the Agnipath scheme, extending the service period of Agniveers from four years to six years and creating another opportunity for them to join the regular armed forces. Under the revised arrangement, 75 per cent of recruits who are not selected for permanent enrolment after their initial four-year tenure will be offered an additional two years of service.

The decision, announced on November 4, marks a significant change in the military recruitment policy introduced in 2022. It is aimed at retaining trained personnel for a longer period while giving young recruits greater opportunities to build a career in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani said the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of Agniveers’ performance over the past four years. The armed forces evaluated their operational capabilities, technical skills, physical fitness, motivation, discipline and ability to adapt to modern military technology. Feedback from the three services was reportedly positive.

Under the original Agnipath recruitment scheme, 100 per cent of recruits were engaged for four years, after which up to 25 per cent of each batch could be absorbed into the permanent military cadre based on merit, performance and organisational requirements. The remaining 75 per cent were required to leave military service and receive a one-time Seva Nidhi package.

The revised framework retains the existing 25 per cent selection provision but introduces a second opportunity for those who are not initially retained. These Agniveers can voluntarily continue for another two years, completing a total of six years in service. At the end of this extended period, they will be considered for permanent enrolment if they meet the prescribed selection requirements.

However, the extension does not guarantee permanent employment. Final selection will depend on individual performance, eligibility conditions and the manpower requirements of the respective services.

The government has also indicated that personnel opting for the additional two years will receive higher remuneration, an increased Seva Nidhi package and seniority-related benefits. However, the detailed salary structure and revised financial provisions have not yet been announced. The changes come as the first batch of Agniveers, recruited in 2022, approaches the completion of its four-year engagement. More than 18,300 personnel from the inaugural batch are expected to finish their initial tenure by December 2026.

The government believes the extension will help the military retain experienced personnel, particularly in specialised and technical roles, reducing the need to repeatedly train new recruits. At the same time, the revised arrangement seeks to preserve the scheme’s objective of maintaining a young and technologically equipped military.