India, Nov. 6 -- The central armed police forces (CAPFs) debated how to assess Agniveer merit for induction and where to post these highly trained soldiers to ensure smooth integration with existing personnel without friction, before all of the short-term military recruits were given a retention option.

Seventy-five per cent of the first Agniveer batch were set to be released under the Agnipath scheme before the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved giving those failing to make the cut after the initial four-year service an option to remain in service for two more years. Agniveers were offered a route to enrol as regular soldiers at the end of the extended period.

In March 2023, the government announced a 10% Agniveer quota in CAPFs and e...