India Approves Two-Year Extension for 75 Percent of Agniveers Under Agnipath Scheme

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a two-year extension of service for 75 percent of Agniveers on November 4, 2026. The decision applies to those who are not selected for regular enrolment after their initial four-year tenure under the Agnipath scheme.

Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani announced the change at a press briefing at the National Media Centre in New Delhi. He said 25 percent of each batch will continue to receive offers of regular employment on merit, as originally planned. The remaining 75 percent will now receive an offer of a second tour of duty lasting two years.

After completing that additional period, those Agniveers who are willing and meet the selection criteria can be considered for enrolment as regular soldiers. The second engagement comes with higher pay, an enhanced Seva Nidhi package, and seniority benefits. Fixed pay during the extension is set at Rs 43,500 in the first year and Rs 47,600 in the second, with the government matching contributions at 70 percent in the tax-exempt package.

Nearly 18,300 Agniveers from the first batch were due to exit by December 31, 2026. The scheme began in June 2022. The first recruits are completing their four-year contracts in the coming weeks. Services had already sought willingness from some personnel; they will now seek fresh confirmation under the revised terms.

General Subramani said a detailed assessment after four years of implementation showed achievements in wider geographic recruitment, standardised processes, and high levels of fitness, morale, and discipline among Agniveers. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the change as a continuation of structural reforms aimed at a younger and more technologically equipped force.

The original Agnipath framework limited retention to 25 percent after four years, with the rest transitioning to civilian life. The revision creates a pathway for all willing and qualified Agniveers to eventually join the regular cadre, though the 25 percent retained earlier will hold seniority. The policy applies to those already recruited; further evaluation will cover subsequent batches.

The change arrives weeks before the first large-scale exits. It addresses concerns raised by some allies after the 2024 elections about post-service employment for Agniveers. No automatic reservation in other government jobs will apply to those who leave after the extended term, according to the briefing.

The armed forces will implement the second tour for those who accept it. Recruitment and training structures remain otherwise unchanged. The decision keeps the short-service model for the initial period while extending the window for permanent absorption.