Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces -Governance Now

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

Agniveers not taken for regular employment to be offered another engagement period of two years based on their willingness

GN Bureau | November 4, 2026

#Defence #Agniveer

An Agniveer recruitment rally in Agartala last month

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered regular employment in the Defence Forces.

Further, for the remaining 75% Agniveers, on the recommendations of the Indian Defence Forces, another engagement period of 2 years has been approved by the Cabinet. After completion of this two-year engagement period, all Agniveers will be offered enrollment as regular soldiers subject to their willingness and their meeting selection criteria, an official release said on Wednesday.

The introduction of another engagement period of two years for the willing 75% Agniveers has been done after deliberate, reasoned and elaborate evaluation and feedback with the fundamental aim of aligning the aspirations of Agniveers and organisational efficiency.

Achievements of Agnipath Scheme

After four years of implementation of the Agnipath Scheme, detailed feedback about its efficacy and the performance of Agniveers was obtained. Some of the salient achievements of the scheme include:

* Increased footprint of recruitment of Agniveers across districts of the country

* More standardised and transparent recruitment process

* Very high level of physical fitness, morale, motivation, competitive spirit and discipline

* Enhancement of skills, technological adaptability and education in the service

* Opening up of various branches of the Defence Forces for women

Based on these achievements, the Agnipath scheme shall continue. The second engagement period will have higher remuneration, enhanced Seva Nidhi package and seniority benefits.

With the introduction of another engagement period of two years followed by induction of all Agniveers as regular soldiers, the Cabinet has created a pathway for absorption of all Agniveers into Defence Forces.

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