New Delhi, Nov 4 : Agniveers who are not selected for regular service after completing their initial four-year tenure will have the option of serving for an additional two years, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General NS Raja Subramani said on Wednesday.
Clarifying the government’s decision, Subramani said the existing four-year tenure under the Agnipath scheme would remain unchanged, but those who fail to make it to the first phase of selection would be allowed to opt for an additional two-year service period.
The decision was taken at a Union Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, months before the first batch of around 18,000 Agniveers is scheduled to complete its tenure in December 2026.
Under the existing arrangement, up to 25 per cent of Agniveers completing four years of service are selected for induction as regular soldiers, while the remaining 75 per cent leave the armed forces.
The new provision will give those not selected initially another opportunity to continue serving for two years. Their performance during the extended tenure will subsequently be assessed for possible induction into regular service, the CDS said.
He said the selection process would be based on objective criteria, including physical fitness, motivation, morale, discipline and technical proficiency, besides the operational and organisational requirements of the armed forces.
Subramani clarified that not being selected for regular service after the initial four-year period should not be viewed as a reflection of an individual’s capabilities, as the selection process is strictly merit-based.
The additional service period would allow Agniveers to improve their military skills and gain further experience, while helping the armed forces retain trained manpower for a longer duration.
Those opting for the extended tenure would also receive higher remuneration and increased service fund benefits, he said.
The CDS further clarified that Agniveers selected for regular service after completing the additional two years would be placed below those inducted during the initial selection phase in terms of seniority.
Under the existing pay structure, an Agniveer receives a monthly salary of Rs 30,000 in the first year, which rises to Rs 43,500 in the second year and Rs 47,500 in the third year.
Subramani said the government would continue its contribution towards the Agniveers’ service fund, adding that the total financial package for those completing the extended two-year tenure would be around Rs 10.92 lakh.
Launched in 2022, the Agnipath scheme introduced short-term recruitment into the Army, Navy and Air Force with the objective of reducing the average age profile of the armed forces.
The latest decision is aimed at providing Agniveers with greater continuity of service while balancing the manpower requirements and operational preparedness of the armed forces.
