Government mulls two-year extension for Agniveers; total service may rise from four to six years

The central government is considering a major change to the Agnipath scheme, with indications of a proposed two-year extension in the service tenure of Agniveers.

The additional tenure is expected to be called the ‘Second Tour of Duty’, taking the total service period from the existing four years to six years.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General NS Raja Subramani is expected to announce a two-year extension of Agniveers’ service tenure, ahead of the completion of the first batch’s four-year term under the Agnipath scheme, Zee News TV reported, citing sources.

The decision to continue serving will rest entirely with individual Agniveers, officials said. 

The proposed extension comes as the Army, Navy and Air Force prepare to release 75 per cent of their first-batch recruits in phases from mid-November.

More than 18,300 Agniveers were scheduled to leave the armed forces by December 31 after completing their initial four-year tenure. The proposed extension would provide an opportunity for them to continue serving beyond the existing term.

The three armed services have reportedly expressed satisfaction with the performance of Agniveers across different roles. Officials have also indicated that the recruitment model could be modified to retain more personnel, particularly those with specialised skills.

The Agnipath scheme, introduced in June 2022, marked a major departure from the military's traditional recruitment system. 

Under its existing framework, personnel are recruited for four years, including training, with up to 25 per cent eligible for permanent absorption into the regular cadre for another 15 years.

The remaining 75 per cent are released after completing their four-year tenure.

First batch set to complete four years

According to official figures, the first recruitment round comprised approximately 24,400 personnel across the three services. This included around 19,000 Agniveers in the Army, 2,850 in the Indian Air Force and 2,550 in the Navy.

Of these, more than 18,300 were expected to complete their service and exit by December 31.

The proposed extension would mark a significant change in the existing arrangement, potentially allowing more trained personnel to remain in the armed forces beyond the initial four-year period.

The Agnipath scheme was introduced to maintain a younger and combat-ready military, but its shorter service tenure and limited long-term benefits have remained subjects of political debate.

The government has not yet publicly detailed the eligibility criteria or the number of personnel who will be offered the extension.