India, Nov. 4 -- Chief of defence staff General NS Raja Subramani will shortly announce a two-year service extension for Agniveers, senior government officials said, signaling that the military values their contribution and requires their continued services.

The decision to continue in service will rest entirely with the individual, the officials said.

The move comes weeks before the three services were to start releasing 75% of Agniveers from their first batch in phases starting mid-November.

Over 18,300 Agniveers were to exit the armed forces by December 31 after completing their four-year term.

The Agnipath recruitment model-long a political flashpoint because it cuts the tenure of personnel below officer rank and offers them fewer...