New Delhi: Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani has announced a two-year extension in the service tenure of Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme, giving personnel who are willing to continue an additional opportunity to serve in the armed forces. The announcement came as the first batch of Agniveers approaches the completion of its original four-year engagement period.
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Under the revised arrangement, Agniveers who would otherwise leave after four years, following the selection of up to 25 per cent for permanent enrolment, will be offered an additional two-year engagement. The extension provided the armed forces an opportunity to retain trained personnel for longer while giving Agniveers more time to pursue a career in uniform.
Around 18,300 Agniveers from the first batch are expected to complete their initial tenure and leave the services by December 2026. The first cohort includes approximately 19,000 personnel in the Army, 2,850 in the Indian Air Force and 2,550 in the Navy, with the services scheduled to complete their respective four-year cycles in phases.
The Agnipath scheme, introduced in June 2022, originally provides for a four-year service period, with up to 25 per cent of each batch eligible for permanent enrolment in the regular cadre based on performance, organisational requirements and service-specific selection criteria. The remaining personnel receive a Seva Nidhi package and skill certification upon completion of their engagement.
The two-year extension marked a significant adjustment to the original framework. However, the extension should not be confused with automatic permanent absorption into the regular forces; detailed eligibility, selection procedures and implementation arrangements will determine the pathway for continued service.
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