NEW DELHI, November 6: The Union Cabinet has created a pathway for all Agniveers to be absorbed into the Defence Forces as regular soldiers, the Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday. Under the decision, 25% of Agniveers will be offered regular employment on merit at the end of their four-year term, as planned, while the remaining 75% will be offered a further two-year engagement, after which all of them can be enrolled as regular soldiers if they are willing and meet the selection criteria.
Key highlights
- 25%: on merit, offered regular employment in the Defence Forces, as envisaged in the original scheme.
- 75%: offered another two-year engagement period if they are willing, on the recommendation of the Defence Forces.
- After six years: all Agniveers offered enrolment as regular soldiers, subject to willingness and selection criteria.
- Better terms: the second engagement period will bring higher pay, an enhanced Seva Nidhi package and seniority benefits.
- Scheme continues: the government said the Agnipath scheme will continue.
| Stage | Who | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| End of four-year term | Top 25% on merit | Offered regular employment |
| End of four-year term | Remaining 75% | Offered a two-year second engagement (if willing) |
| End of second engagement | All who served it | Offered enrolment as regular soldiers, subject to willingness and selection criteria |
Why the government changed course
The ministry said an assessment of the scheme’s first four years found “outstanding performance” by Agniveers in skills, motivation, physical fitness and technology. It listed wider recruitment across districts, a more standardised and transparent recruitment process, high fitness and morale, better skills and education in service, and the opening of more branches of the forces to women as the scheme’s achievements. The second engagement period was introduced after “deliberate, reasoned and elaborate evaluation” to match Agniveers’ aspirations with the forces’ needs, it said.
Background
The Agnipath scheme was announced in June 2022 to recruit soldiers, sailors and airmen for four years, with only up to a quarter retained for longer careers. Its short tenure was the main point of criticism and led to protests in several states at the time. With the first batches now nearing the end of their four-year terms, the Cabinet decision answers the question of what happens to the other three-quarters.
Our calculation
- Under the original plan, three out of every four Agniveers would have left after four years. Under the new pathway, all of them can stay in service if they choose to and meet the selection criteria.
- Those who take the second engagement would serve six years before becoming regular soldiers.
What to watch
- The detailed pay, Seva Nidhi and seniority terms for the second engagement period.
- The selection criteria for enrolment as regular soldiers.
Indian Army soldiers at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi (file photo). Image: Dipak Das for Ministry of Defence, Government of India, GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons. Photo source · Licence
Sources
The National Desk covers India's politics, governance, security and public-interest news. Stories are checked against at least two credible sources before publication.
