Agnipath scheme to continue; two-year additional engagement approved for 75% of Agniveers
By Aroonim Bhuyan
New Delhi. The Union Cabinet has approved an additional two-year engagement period for 75 per cent of Agniveers who are not selected for regular service at the end of their initial four-year tenure, creating a further pathway for their absorption into the Defence Forces.
According to an assessment of the Agnipath scheme’s implementation and the performance of Agniveers, the defence forces have reported high levels of physical fitness, motivation, discipline, technical skills and adaptability among the recruits, the Ministry of Defence stated on November4.
Under the existing framework, 25 per cent of Agniveers will continue to be offered regular employment in the defence forces on the basis of merit. The remaining 75 per cent will be eligible for the additional two-year engagement, following recommendations from the armed forces and approval by the Cabinet.
At the end of this extended period, all Agniveers will be offered enrolment as regular soldiers, subject to their willingness and fulfilment of the prescribed selection criteria, the government said.
The decision to provide the additional engagement period followed an extensive evaluation of the scheme, including feedback from the Defence Forces. The move is intended to balance the career aspirations of Agniveers with the organisational and operational requirements of the military.
The assessment, conducted after four years of the scheme’s implementation, identified several achievements. These include a wider geographical spread of recruitment across districts, a more standardised and transparent selection process, and improvements in physical fitness, morale, motivation, competitive spirit and discipline among personnel.
The scheme has also contributed to enhancing the recruits’ skills, educational qualifications and ability to adapt to new technologies. Another significant outcome has been the opening of various branches of the defence forces to women.
The Agnipath scheme, introduced to recruit personnel for a four-year service period, will therefore continue, with the additional engagement provision forming a new component of the existing framework.
The second engagement period will carry higher remuneration, an enhanced Seva Nidhi package and seniority-related benefits, according to the government.
The Cabinet’s decision is aimed at providing Agniveers who are not selected for regular service after their initial tenure with a further opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities and qualify for permanent enrolment, while enabling the defence forces to retain trained and experienced personnel.
