India, Oct. 26 -- More than 18,000 Agniveers from the first batch are set to leave the armed forces by December 31 after completing their four-year tenure under the Agnipath recruitment scheme, shifting the focus to second-career opportunities available to them, officials aware of the matter said on Sunday.

The three services, the navy followed by the air force and the army, will begin releasing 75% of Agniveers from their first batch in phases starting mid-November, the officials said, asking not to be named.

The Agnipath recruitment model-long a political flashpoint because it cuts the tenure of personnel below officer rank and offers them fewer service benefits-was introduced in 2022 with the aim of keeping the armed forces young and...