In a far-reaching decision, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday announced a two-year extension for Agniveers. The decision came weeks before more than 18,000 soldiers were set to exit in the coming weeks. They were recruited under the Agnipath scheme launched in 2022, with the Agniveers serving a four-year tenure, and 75 per cent moving out after their engagement ends.
The extension means all Agniveers will now get a chance to be absorbed as regular soldiers, subject to performance evaluation and selection criteria.
Giving details, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General N S Raja Subramani said at a press conference alongside Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw that the extension means their total engagement in the armed forces will be six years. After its end, they will get another opportunity to be considered for regular service.
The 18,300 soldiers set to be released account for three-fourths of the 24,400 recruits inducted into the army, air force and navy in the first round of recruitment. The first batch comprised around 19,000 Agniveers in the army, 2,850 in the IAF and 2,550 in the navy. Currently, over 300,000 soldiers recruited under the Agnipath scheme are serving in the military. The scheme recruits youths aged 17.5 to 21 for four years.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the decision. “This would also provide enrollment of all willing Agniveers as regular soldiers after the tenure of 4/6 years, who meet the selection criteria.
Congress MP Pawan Khera criticised the decision, describing the move as a “U-turn” influenced by upcoming Assembly elections in several states.
Agniveers get 2 more years
This decision continues long-term structural reforms of our defence forces, aimed at creating a younger, fitter, technologically equipped, and future-ready military. It is not merely a recruitment policy; it is a way forward to prepare India’s military for the changing character of warfare,” the defence minister said.
He claimed the government altered its stance because of the imminent elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, states from which many young people aspire to join the armed forces.
Meanwhile, elaborating upon the latest decision, the CDS said, “From the beginning it was clear that this scheme would be reviewed. Every year the Agniveers were reviewed, and we decided that there should be a two-year extension,” General Subramani said, adding the scheme from the beginning “was not set in stone”.
“This review did not just happen today; it has been an ongoing process. We have been discussing this for the past three to four months, and today the cabinet has approved our recommendations,” he said.
The CDS further stressed that the Agnipath scheme in its current form, that is, the first four years, will continue.
“The Agnipath scheme has not been discontinued. It will continue. Second, this two-year engagement period gives Agniveers who were not selected in the first four years a chance to serve longer. Their relative experience, qualifications and skills are relative.
It’s not that they are bad; it’s relative. So, in these two years, they get a chance to serve longer in the Army, with the provision that they can be enrolled as regular soldiers. So this is a win-win situation for both,” he said.
The CDS said performance and achievements would remain important considerations in deciding the future engagement of Agniveers. Those completing the additional two years would be assessed again for possible enrolment into the regular forces, according to the proposed selection process.
Addressing questions on the future of the Agnipath scheme, he said the prescribed rules would guide the implementation and that the arrangements were not “set in stone”. The scheme would need to be reviewed in the light of experience, he indicated.
General Subramani also said the armed forces were opening opportunities for Agniveers across different branches. Physical fitness, adaptability, technological understanding and the ability to take up different responsibilities would form part of their training and assessment.
The CDS said the training of Agniveers was not limited to physical fitness but also covered moral values, technological knowledge and skill enhancement. He also referred to opportunities for personnel to improve their educational qualifications, including progression from Class 10 to Class 12 and from Class 12 to graduation.
The interaction also covered remuneration, promotions, and service conditions. The figures cited included Rs 43,500 in the first year and Rs 47,000 in the second year.
The Seva Nidhi package, provided under the existing scheme, will continue. The applicable guidelines will govern further details on pay and roles under the extended engagement.
The Agnipath scheme’s rollout in 2022 led to protests in many states. The Centre announced that demobilised Agniveers will be accommodated in central armed police forces. Several states also reserved a certain percentage of vacancies for them in government jobs.