Indian Navy Graduates Largest Batch of Agniveers at INS Chilka

The Indian Navy will hold a passing-out parade for its largest-ever batch of trainees on November 13 at INS Chilka in Odisha. More than 3,300 recruits from the ninth batch of naval Agniveers and Indian Coast Guard Naviks have completed 16 weeks of ab-initio training focused on academics, physical conditioning, and leadership development.

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff, will serve as the chief guest and reviewing officer. Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, will preside over the valedictory function to honor meritorious trainees and instructors. The event will also include the unveiling of a bilingual trainees' magazine, Ankur, and will be streamed on social media.

The graduation follows a November 4 government overhaul of the Agnipath recruitment scheme announced by Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani. Under the revised terms, Agniveers nearing the end of their four-year tenure will receive a two-year extension with higher pay and an enhanced Seva Nidhi package, with the possibility of permanent recruitment based on eligibility. While these terms apply to current batches, provisions for future recruits remain under finalization.

The Indian National Congress has criticized the policy changes, characterizing the overhaul as a "U-turn" intended to influence upcoming assembly elections in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.