The CDS said the Cabinet's decision had created a pathway for Agniveers to be absorbed into the armed forces on a permanent basis.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen NS Raja Subramani said the performance of Agniveers during the past four years had been very good.
Agniveer trainees of the Indian Navy - file snap
The Navy, which has around 21,000 Agniveers on its rolls, is also learnt to have been among the strongest votaries of higher retention. After Chilka, sailors undergo months of specialised training to handle complex weapons, sensors and machinery aboard warships. Letting most of them go after four years meant losing technically trained personnel just as they were coming into their own.
The scheme, launched in 2022 to lower the age profile of the armed forces and rein in their ballooning pension bill, has faced sustained criticism over the fate of recruits once they shed their uniforms.
A batch of Agniveers take the oath of service to the nation during the passing out parade at the 39 Gorkha Training Centre, in Varanasi
The Agnipath Scheme marked a paradigm shift from a career-based military to a capability-based force.
There is a need for critical examination of its achievements and challenges, and evaluate the need for higher retention of Agniveers in the evolving security landscape.
With the first batch of around 20,000 Agniveers (Fire Warriors) across the three services nearing the end of their four-year engagement in December, the Union cabinet has approved a further two-year extension for the 75% not selected for permanent service.
Gen N S Raja Subramani announced the decision following a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"I sincerely thank PM Modi for taking the decision of additional 2-year ‘Second Tour of Duty’ for Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme. This would also provide enrollment of all willing Agniveers as regular soldiers after the tenure of 4/6 years, who meet the selection criteria," tweeted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
"This decision is continuation of long-term structural reforms of our defence forces, aimed at creating a younger, fitter, technologically equipped and future-ready military.
It is not merely a recruitment policy; it is a way forward to prepare India's military for the changing character of warfare."
A cross-section of serving and retired armed forces personnel and analysts saw these amendments as a major ‘roll back’ by the Modi Govt.
Some also say these are aimed to defuse growing disquiet among Gen Z military aspirants — and potential BJP voters — aged between 17 plus and 21 in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
Besides Goa and Manipur; these three states are heading for assembly elections early next year.
Former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash (retired) described the Agnipath reversal as ‘good news’ and expressed hope that it would be the first step towards scrapping what he regarded as a fundamentally flawed and illogical arrangement that could seriously damage the armed forces’ combat efficiency.
Advantages of the Agniveer
For Govt's 'Fiscal Efficiency' perspective; The Agniveer scheme lowers long-term pension liabilities, enabling greater investment in defence modernisation, indigenisation, and advanced technologies.
It trains thousands of youth annually in leadership, discipline, and technical skills, creating a skilled national workforce. It can help build a technology-ready force capable of operating AI, drones, cyber systems, and advanced weapon platforms.
The scheme supports Atmanirbhar Bharat, theatre commands, and India’s transition towards a lean, agile, and future-ready military.
Youthful Military: Reduce the Armed Forces’ average age from 32 to around 26 years, enhancing agility, stamina, and combat effectiveness.
Rationalise the growing defence pension bill, allowing greater investment in modernisation, infrastructure, and indigenous defence production.
Prepare personnel for hybrid warfare, cyberattacks, terrorism, space, and electronic warfare, reflecting the changing nature of conflicts.
Create a disciplined, skilled youth workforce through military training, supporting employment, disaster response, and the vision of Viksit Bharat by/in 2047.
The Union Home Ministry asked the CAPF chiefs to examine where former Agniveers could be inducted, what duties they could perform and how their military training could be utilised.
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