New Two-Year Extension Introduced for Agniveers

The Centre on Wednesday (November 4) approved a major overhaul of the Agnipath recruitment scheme, allowing all Agniveers serving in the Army, Navy and Air Force an opportunity to join the armed forces as regular soldiers.

The decision comes as the first batches of Agniveers are approaching the completion of their four-year service tenure. Under the revised framework, 25% of Agniveers will continue to be selected on merit for permanent absorption after completing their initial four years, as provided under the original scheme introduced in 2022.

The remaining 75%, who would otherwise leave the forces with the Seva Nidhi package, will now be offered an additional two-year engagement. After this extended period, they will be eligible for permanent induction, subject to their willingness and fulfilment of the armed forces' objective selection criteria.

Those opting for the additional two years will receive enhanced salaries and an improved Seva Nidhi package if they choose not to continue as regular soldiers. However, they will no longer be eligible for reservation-based opportunities in paramilitary forces, public sector undertakings or state government jobs.

Over Three Lakh Agniveers to Be Affected by Revised Framework

The Agnipath scheme, launched in 2022, recruits candidates aged between 17 years and six months and 21 years for a four-year tenure in the armed forces.

Under the Seva Nidhi arrangement, 30% of an Agniveer's monthly salary is contributed to the Agniveer Corpus Fund, with an equal contribution from the government. At the end of four years, recruits receive a lump sum of approximately ₹11.71 lakh, including interest, which is exempt from income tax. The scheme does not provide monthly pension or gratuity benefits.

More than three lakh Agniveers are currently undergoing training across the three services. This includes approximately 2.8 lakh in the Army, around 2,500 in the Navy and 2,900 in the first batch of the Air Force. The first Army recruits are also approaching the end of their initial service tenure, making the revised framework significant for the future of military recruitment.