New Delhi : In a significant policy decision concerning the future of Agniveers, the Union Cabinet has approved an additional two-year engagement period for the 75 per cent of Agniveers who were earlier scheduled to exit the Armed Forces after completing their four-year tenure under the Agnipath scheme.

Announcing the decision at a Cabinet briefing, Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani said the revised arrangement would provide Agniveers with an extended opportunity to continue serving in the Armed Forces, while opening a further pathway towards regular induction.

He said that under the original Agnipath framework, 25 per cent of Agniveers were eligible for enrolment into the regular forces based on merit, while the remaining 75 per cent were to return to civilian life after completing their four-year engagement.

However, under the revised arrangement, the remaining 75 per cent will now be offered an additional engagement period of two years, with enhanced emoluments during the extended service period.

The CDS said that upon completion of the additional two years, Agniveers willing to continue serving would be considered for enrolment into the Armed Forces, subject to objective selection criteria.

Describing the decision as an important development for the Armed Forces and Agniveers, General Raja Subramani said the Agnipath scheme, introduced on June 14, 2022, had provided for continuous performance evaluations and periodic reviews.

He added that feedback received over the first four years of the scheme regarding Agniveers’ performance had been positive, prompting the review of their future engagement.

The revised arrangement is expected to provide greater continuity of service and additional opportunities for Agniveers to pursue a career in the Armed Forces, while allowing the military to assess personnel through an extended period of engagement and performance evaluation.

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