Cabinet Extends Agniveer Service by Two Years, Opens Fresh Route to Regular Armed Forces

The Union Cabinet has approved a two-year extension of service for Agniveers completing their initial four-year tenure under the Agnipath scheme, giving them another opportunity to join the regular armed forces. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General NS Raja Subramani announced the decision on Wednesday, saying the government had introduced an additional engagement period for the 75 per cent of Agniveers who were earlier expected to leave the military after completing four years of service.

Under the revised arrangement, these personnel will be offered an additional two years in the armed forces. After completing the extended tenure, those willing to continue will be considered for enrolment into the regular forces, subject to objective selection criteria. The announcement comes ahead of the scheduled exit of the first batch of Agniveers, with more than 18,300 personnel expected to complete their initial four-year service period by December 31, 2026.

Speaking at a media briefing, General Subramani said the performance of Agniveers had been assessed throughout their service and the feedback received had been positive. He added that the extended engagement would provide more personnel with an opportunity to continue serving in the military.

Under the original Agnipath recruitment framework, introduced in June 2022, candidates were recruited for a four-year tenure. At the end of this period, up to 25 per cent of each batch could be selected for permanent enrolment in the regular cadre, while the remaining 75 per cent were required to return to civilian life.

The latest decision introduces an additional two-year service option for the latter group, potentially increasing their total engagement period to six years. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed the Cabinet's decision, describing the additional period as a two-year 'Second Tour of Duty'. He said the move was part of broader structural reforms aimed at building a younger, fitter and technologically equipped military.

The government has also announced changes to the Agniveer recruitment process. Under the revised examination sequence, the written test will be conducted before the physical fitness test, reversing the earlier arrangement. In another development, Agniveers will receive skill certificates recognising the training and professional experience gained during their military service. The certificates are expected to help them demonstrate their competencies while pursuing further employment opportunities.

The Agnipath scheme was launched on June 14, 2022, to recruit young personnel into the Army, Navy and Air Force for short-term service. The programme was introduced as part of efforts to reduce the average age of the armed forces and improve their operational readiness. The latest Cabinet decision marks a significant change in the scheme's implementation, particularly for the first batch approaching the end of its initial service period. However, permanent enrolment will remain subject to the prescribed selection criteria and the requirements of the armed forces.

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