Raja Subramani announced. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (November 4, 2026), cleared a scheme for the absorption of 25% of Agniveers into regular forces based on merit, Chief of Defence Staff General N.S.
The Agnipath scheme was announced in 2022 for the recruitment of soldiers — youth between 17.5 to 23 years — in the three branches of the armed forces, on a short-term basis.
Two more years of engagement period offer to be given to the remaining Agniveers and when this engagement period is over, all Agniveers to be inducted into armed forces subject to objective selection criteria, the CDS said.
If an Agniveer is not retained even after the six years, then there will be no reservation for them in any government jobs. “This decision is continuation of long-term structural reforms of our defence forces, aimed at creating a younger, fitter, technologically equipped and future-ready military. It is not merely a recruitment policy; it is a way forward to prepare India’s military for the changing character of warfare,” he added.
I sincerely thank PM Modi for taking the decision of additional 2-year ‘Second Tour of Duty’ for Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme. This would also provide enrolment of all willing Agniveers as regular soldiers after the tenure of 4/6 years, who meet the selection criteria,” Mr. Earlier reporting noted: CDS to announce 2-year service extension for Agniveer posts 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. Earlier reporting noted: The 18,300 soldiers, who were to be released this year, account for three-fourths of the 24,400 recruits inducted into the army, air force and navy in the first round of recruitment. The first batch comprised around 19,000 Agniveers in the army, 2,850 in the IAF and 2,550 in the navy, according to official data.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the decision would provide all “willing” Agniveers a chance to enrol as regular soldiers after their tenure of four or six years, conditional on them meeting the selection criteria. Singh said in a post on X. Earlier reporting noted: The decision to continue in service will rest entirely with the individual, the officials said.
“Taking a significant decision today, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Shri @narendramodi has approved a two-year ‘Second Tour of Duty’ for Agniveers under #Agnipath.
