India Extends Agniveer Service Tenure to Six Years

The Union Cabinet of India, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a two-year extension for Agniveers under the Agnipath recruitment scheme. This new 'Second Tour of Duty' increases the maximum potential tenure from four to six years for recruits who are not initially absorbed into the regular cadre.

Under the original 2022 framework, only 25% of recruits were eligible for regular enrollment after four years. The revised policy allows the remaining 75% to serve an additional two years, after which they may be considered for permanent positions based on merit, performance assessments, and organizational requirements. This decision arrives as approximately 18,000 personnel from the first 2022 batch approach the end of their initial tenure in December 2026.

Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani announced that those receiving the extension will be eligible for enhanced emoluments and skill certificates. He also noted that the recruitment process will now include written examinations before physical tests. Former Lieutenant General DP Pandey endorsed the move, stating that iterative reviews are essential to strengthen new recruitment models.

The Indian National Congress criticized the extension as a political U-turn motivated by upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand. Congress MP Pawan Khera argued the scheme harms the armed forces and leaves the majority of recruits facing unemployment after their service ends.