Centre extends Agniveer service tenure by two years
Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani announced that 75 per cent of Agniveers can now opt for two additional years of service.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General NS Raja Subramani announced on Wednesday that the Union Cabinet has approved a two-year extension for Agniveers. This decision allows those not selected for permanent roles to potentially serve for a total of six years under the Agnipath scheme.
According to reports by Scroll and Outlook, the 25 per cent of Agniveers chosen based on merit will still be integrated into the regular armed forces. The remaining 75 per cent will have the option to extend their engagement for two more years.
General Subramani stated that the decision followed an evaluation of Agniveer performance, noting that feedback from the first batch has been positive. He said the Indian defence forces recommended the additional engagement period to the government after discussing the matter for three to four months.
Agniveers who choose the extension will receive higher salaries and an increased Seva Nidhi package if they depart after the additional term. Once the extended period ends, willing individuals can apply for regular enrolment if they meet objective selection criteria.
The Agnipath scheme was introduced on June 14, 2022, for a four-year term. Approximately 18,000 Agniveers from the first batch are expected to finish their initial four-year tenure and exit by December 31.