Agniveers to get two more years of service, central cabinet decides
The central government has approved providing the option of two more years of service to Agniveers completing their four-year tenure under the Agnipath scheme.
Making a major change in the Agnipath scheme, the central government has decided to give Agniveers the option to serve for two more years after their initial four-year tenure. This step has been approved by the central cabinet.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General N.S. Raja Subramani announced during a press conference on Wednesday that the system of inducting 25 percent of Agniveers into the army as regular soldiers after four years will continue, while the remaining 75 percent personnel will be given the option of two years of additional service.
According to General Subramani, even after completing the additional two-year tenure, Agniveers will have the opportunity to be recruited into the regular army. This selection will be made based on the soldiers' willingness, physical fitness, discipline, technical expertise, and the requirements of the army.
The CDS clarified that during this additional two-year period, Agniveers will receive higher salaries and enhanced service fund benefits compared to before. The aim of this step is to retain trained personnel and give them further opportunity to hone their skills and experience.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this decision and described this additional period as a two-year 'second tour of duty'. He said this decision is an important reform in the direction of keeping the country's armed forces young, fit, and prepared according to modern warfare needs.
The four-year tenure of the first batch of Agniveers is completing this month. According to the earlier rules, 18,300 Agniveers were to be relieved from the army by December 31, but now they will get the opportunity to continue their service.
Key developments
- 75 percent of Agniveers completing four years will get the option of 2 more years of service
- Like before, 25 percent of Agniveers will become permanent soldiers only after 4 years
- During the additional two years, Agniveers will be given higher salaries and service fund benefits
- The opportunity to join the regular army will remain even upon completion of a total of 6 years of service
