Cabinet Gives Agniveers Two More Years, Opens Route to Regular Service

A four-year service term no longer has to mean an immediate exit for most Agniveers. On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved a voluntary two-year extension for the 75% of recruits previously expected to leave after their first term. Those who serve the extra two years can seek regular armed forces jobs, subject to selection criteria. ^1,16

That second term changes the path set out when the Agnipath scheme began in 2022. Recruits serve four years in the Army, Navy or Air Force. Under the original rules, up to 25% could join the regular forces, while the rest left. Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani said the Cabinet created a way for all Agniveers to continue, offering extra service to those outside the first selection group. ^7,14

The first group facing that choice includes more than 18,300 people expected to complete their four-year terms by December 31. The Navy group was due to finish on November 21, followed by the Air Force on December 21 and the Army on December 31. The extension gives trained recruits more time in uniform, but it does not guarantee a permanent job: those seeking regular service must meet selection criteria. ^5,6,16

Those criteria now matter twice: first for the original route into regular service, then for those seeking to join after the added two years. Reports also describe recruitment changes, including a written test before the physical test and certificates recognising Agniveers’ skills.^4,12 The first affected service terms were due to end from November 21, so the armed forces must now offer the extension and assess who wants to continue.