Agniveer Scheme: Inside Cabinet’s big announcement — Two-year service extension, chance to join regular army and more | Today’s news
The Union Cabinet approved a two-year ‘Second Tour of Duty’ for Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme, sparking a massive political debate. While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed the decision as a major step to strengthen the armed forces, the opposition questioned its timing and expressed concerns about the recruits’ long-term job prospects.
What changes in the Agniveer scheme has been approved by the Union Cabinet?
The Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Wednesday that the Union Cabinet has officially created a comprehensive pathway for all Agniveeras to be inducted into the Indian Defense Forces.
As part of the updated Agniveer journey:
Quick answers to key questions
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This is an additional two-year service period approved for Agniveers who complete their initial four-year term and are willing to continue. The extension applies to the 75% not selected for regular service in the four-year phase.
After completing six years, Agniveers who wish to continue may be considered for enlistment as regular soldiers. Enrollment depends on meeting prescribed selection criteria; it’s not automatic.
At the end of four years, 25% of Agniveers may be offered regular service based on merit. Those not selected may undergo a two-year extension and then be considered for enrollment if they wish and are eligible.
Second tenure includes higher remuneration, enhanced Seva Nidhi package and seniority benefits. Articles also mention contributions and other benefits for additional service.
The decision followed a four-year evaluation that received positive feedback on Agniveers’ performance, fitness, motivation and technological adaptability. The extension also provides additional services to more Agniveers before they will be considered for regular registration.
1. All recruits will serve for an initial period of four years with basic stipend, accumulation of Seva Nidhi and basic military training.
2. Level 1 selection: At the end of the 4th year, the originally planned 25 percent of Agniveers will be offered regular employment in the defense forces based on merit.
3. Level 2 Engagement: For the remaining 75 percent of Agniveers, the government has approved another period of two years.
The remaining 75 percent, depending on willingness, will move into Tier 2 engagements for years 5-6 with extended two-year service.
4. The second tenure will have higher remuneration, enhanced Seva Nidhi package and seniority benefits.
5. Upon completion of this two-year period of engagement (at the end of six years in total), all Agniveers will be offered enlistment as regular soldiers in the armed forces, subject to their willingness and fulfillment of selection criteria.
The decision follows an extensive four-year performance evaluation by the Defense Forces, which yielded largely positive feedback regarding Agniveer’s overall effectiveness, physical fitness, motivation and technological adaptability.
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BJP welcomes updated Agniveer system
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the decision of the Union Cabinet will make the Indian Army more youthful, equip it with modern military skills and prepare it for the changing nature of warfare.
In a post shared on X, Shah said the decision taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will allow any willing Agniveer to serve two more years in the army, after which those who meet the prescribed selection criteria will be given the opportunity to join the regular forces.
“Under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet today approved a 2-year ‘Second Tour of Service’ for Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme, which means that now every willing Agniveer will be able to serve another 2 years in the Army. After completion of this period, all willing Agniveers who meet the selection criteria will get an opportunity to serve the Shah nation.
“I thank Shri Narendra Modi for this decision which will make the Indian Army even more youthful, equipped with modern military skills and ready for the changing nature of warfare,” he added.
‘Diwali gift for Agniveers’: Defense experts
Former Chief of Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi called the extension of service for 75 per cent of retiring Agniveers a “Diwali gift.
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the sixth edition of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD), he weighed in on key developments including the Agniveer programme, regional maritime cooperation and the recent rescue of 20 Iranian crew members by the Indian Navy.
“So this is a very good thing. I would call it a Diwali gift for those 75 percent Agniveers. For them, their families, their friends and the army. It’s also good for the army to have such trained manpower for the next two years. You can’t ask for anything better. It’s a great win-win situation for everyone,” he told ANI.
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Defense expert Sanjeev Srivastava on Wednesday also hailed the Centre’s decision to grant a two-year extension to 75 per cent Agniveers as a “very important and excellent decision” that will give them a fresh opportunity to serve and a chance for permanent enrolment.
“After they do that, they will get a great opportunity to serve in the Indian Armed Forces and serve there permanently. And of course, this decision of the Government of India is really important, considering the long-term structural reforms of the Indian Armed Forces,” he told ANI.
Srivastava said the extended tenure, called the “second tour”, will also bring financial benefits, allowances and other perks for the extra period of service.
“Their tenure will be extended by two years, which of course will bring them financial benefits. They will also get their allowances and other benefits for the time they have served. Moreover, they will get another chance to join the armed forces permanently,” he said.
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Opposition questions scheme overhaul: ‘Electoral gimmick’
Taunting the Center after it announced a revamp of the Agnipath scheme, the Congress on Wednesday said it was a government “turned to the opposite side” and the speed with which the ruling BJP is turning should be called “Bharatiya Janata Palti”.
Congress president Pawan Khera said the government brought the changes because of the upcoming assembly elections in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Manipur and Himachal Pradesh.
“This government is a reverse government; first Rahul Gandhi says but they don’t agree. Later they correct themselves. Agniveer is a bad scheme; it is not only bad for the defense forces but it is also bad for the youth,” he told reporters, adding, “They will have to take this plan back.”
NCP-SP leader Clyde Crasto also called the decision an “election gimmick” and asked what will happen to those who have already completed their four-year term and are now working in other occupations.
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AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi questioned whether the Agniveers would get benefits comparable to those of regular soldiers.
“Will they get health insurance? Will they get facilities like those given to army, navy and air force jawans? What will those who train for it in villages get? There are threats all over our country. We were against it from the beginning and we are still against it,” he said.
