Ahead of crucial assembly polls, govt rejigs Agnipath, opens path to permanent service for all

New Delhi: The government has overhauled its Agnipath scheme for recruitment into the armed forces, creating a pathway to permanent service for all Agniveers instead of requiring 75% of recruits to leave after four years.

Under the revised framework cleared by the Cabinet on Wednesday, 25% of Agniveers will continue to be selected for regular service on merit after their initial four-year tenure, as envisaged under the original scheme. The remaining 75%, who would previously have had to leave, will now be offered an additional two-year engagement. At the end of the extended tenure, these Agniveers will have the option to continue in the armed forces as regular soldiers.

The decision reverses the original provision requiring 75% of recruits to leave after four years. It comes ahead of assembly elections in several states that contribute significantly to the armed forces' recruitment pool, including Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.


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"An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and tech prowess," the defence ministry said in a statement, adding that a pathway has been created to absorb all Agniveers into the armed forces.

Several senior retired military officers had earlier raised concerns about the four-year tenure, arguing that the time and resources invested in training soldiers would go to waste if they were required to leave so early.

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Several state governments and paramilitary forces had also announced special quotas to absorb Agniveers completing their four-year tenure. These quotas may now need to be revisited. "The introduction of another engagement period of two years for the willing 75% Agniveers has been done after deliberate, reasoned and elaborate evaluation and feedback with the fundamental aim of aligning the aspirations of Agniveers and organisational efficiency," the statement said. The government has clarified that the Agnipath scheme will continue. The additional two-year engagement will carry higher remuneration, enhanced benefits and assignment of seniority.