Union Cabinet opens fresh regular-service pathway for Agniveers, approves two-year extension for remaining 75%

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved a major revision to the Agnipath recruitment framework, offering a two-year extension to the 75 percent of Agniveers who would otherwise exit after their initial four-year tenure. The decision created an additional pathway for these personnel to enter the regular Armed Forces, marking a significant change as the first batch approaches the completion of its service period.

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Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani announced the decision on November 4, stating that the remaining 75 per cent of Agniveers will be offered an additional two-year engagement. After completing this extended period, those willing to continue will be considered for enrolment into the regular forces, subject to objective selection criteria.

Under the original Agnipath framework, introduced on June 14, 2022, up to 25 per cent of each batch could be retained in the regular cadre based on merit and organisational requirements, while the remaining personnel were expected to leave after four years. The revised arrangement provides the latter group with another opportunity to qualify for regular service.

The extended engagement will also carry higher remuneration, while Agniveers opting to leave after the additional two years will receive an enhanced Seva Nidhi package. The government said that the decision follows continuous performance assessments and positive feedback from the three services on the personnel's skills, fitness, discipline and adaptability.

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The decision came as approximately 18,000 Agniveers from the first recruitment batch were expected to complete their original four-year tenure and exit the services in December 2026. The revised framework seeks to retain trained personnel for longer while providing them an additional route towards a career in the Armed Forces.

The Agnipath scheme continues, but the revised arrangement significantly changes the service pathway for Agniveers who are not selected in the initial 25 per cent retention process. Their eventual enrolment into the regular forces will remain subject to the prescribed selection criteria and service requirements.

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