New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- The Union cabinet has decided to give Agniveers an option to continue in service for two more years beyond their four-year tenure and apply for absorption into the armed forces at the end of this extended period, Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani announced on Wednesday.
At a media briefing, CDS General Subramani said that the extension will take the total engagement of Agniveers in the armed forces to six years, after which they will get another opportunity to be considered for regular service, subject to performance evaluation and selection criteria.
The CDS said the first batch of Agniveers was nearing the completion of its four-year tenure and that feedback on their performance had been positive. He said the armed forces had recommended the extension and the Cabinet had approved the proposal.
The top military officer said performance and achievements would remain important considerations in deciding the future engagement of Agniveers. Those completing the additional two years would be assessed again for possible enrolment into the regular forces, according to the proposed selection process.
Answering questions on the future of the Agnipath scheme, he said its implementation would be guided by the prescribed rules and that the arrangements were not "set in stone". The scheme would need to be reviewed in the light of experience, he indicated.
Gen Subramani also said the armed forces were opening opportunities for Agniveers across different branches. Physical fitness, adaptability, technological understanding and the ability to take up different responsibilities would form part of their training and assessment. The CDS said the training of Agniveers also covered moral values, technological knowledge and skill enhancement. He also referred to opportunities for personnel to improve their educational qualifications, including progression from Class 10 to Class 12 and from Class 12 to graduation.
Remuneration, promotions and service conditions were also discussed during the interaction. The figures cited included Rs 43,500 in the first year and Rs 47,000 in the second year.
The Seva Nidhi package, provided under the existing scheme, will continue. Further details on pay and roles under the extended engagement will be governed by the applicable guidelines.
The move comes at a crucial time, with the first batch of around 18,300 Agniveers finishing their four-year tenure and leaving the armed forces in December 2026.
The government has stated that the initial 25 per cent of Agniveers will still be chosen to enter the forces as regular soldiers. This decision will still be based solely on merit.
However, importantly, the new second tenure does not address the concerns around employment for those who do not wish to stay in the military. The government has approved that they will receive a one-time payment after four years. However, whether they are absorbed into the CAPFs, other security organisations, the Railways or other government departments will depend on the recruitment policies, availability and eligibility as promised previously.
Concerns have also been raised that the military will struggle to keep their valuable knowledge, experience and skills. Some within the veteran community have questioned if four years will be long enough to gain the experience and teamwork within a profession that relies heavily on training, discipline and knowledge of the military. A large number of skilled individuals leaving after a short period of time has been a key concern.
When the Agnipath scheme was introduced in June 2022, there was a lot of resentment from some sections of the youth in the state who were preparing to enter the forces with the expectation of a permanent military career. The political opposition to the scheme was shown through the Punjab Assembly passing a motion against it in June 2022.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.