Armed Forces Plan To Retain More Agniveers After 4-Year Tenure As First Batch Nears Exit
Armed Forces Plan To Retain More Agniveers After 4-Year Tenure As First Batch Nears Exit Written By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 08:12 IST The
Armed Forces Plan To Retain More Agniveers After 4-Year Tenure As First Batch Nears Exit Written By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 08:12 IST The armed forces are weighing higher Agniveer retention beyond the current 25% cap, with the Navy expected to seek the biggest increase at 75% Rapid Read One of the key factors driving the review is the need for a larger pool of experienced manpower, particularly after lessons drawn from Operation Sindoor. (Reuters) The Indian Armed Forces are considering increasing the number of Agniveers retained after their four-year tenure under the Agnipath scheme, with the Navy likely to seek retention of up to 75 per cent of its recruits, while the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) may push for around 50 per cent. At present, only 25 per cent Agniveers are eligible for permanent induction into the armed forces after completing their four-year service, based on merit and organisational requirements. The first batches of Agniveers, who began training in early 2023, are scheduled to complete their tenure later this year.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the services believe retaining a larger proportion of trained personnel would provide a bigger pool of experienced soldiers familiar with modern weapons systems and emerging military technologies. The proposal is expected to be discussed further between the three services and the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) before any decision is taken. ALSO READ | Opinion | Harnessing Agniveer Power: Lessons From Operation Sindoor Introduced in 2022, the Agnipath scheme recruits personnel between the ages of 17.5 and 21 (with a one-time age relaxation during the first recruitment cycle) for a four-year tenure. At the end of this period, up to 25 per cent of each batch is eligible for permanent enrolment based on merit, medical fitness and organisational requirements, while the remaining Agniveers receive a financial package and skill certification to aid their transition to civilian employment. The report said even if the overall retention cap remains unchanged at 25 per cent, specialised formations could induct a higher proportion of retained Agniveers, while other units continue to have a larger share of personnel serving their initial four-year tenure.
The Army’s newly raised Bhairav battalions are among the units where such a model could be explored. The report said a proposal to increase retention had previously been sent to the DMA but was returned for re-evaluation. The services have not officially confirmed any proposal. According to Express, one of the key factors driving the review is the need for a larger pool of experienced manpower, particularly after lessons drawn from Operation Sindoor. While officials are said to have found the performance of Agniveers during the operation to be satisfactory, they concluded that longer field experience and repeated operational deployments remain crucial in high-intensity military situations. The report also noted that with thousands of regular personnel retiring every year, a low retention rate could create temporary manpower gaps until future recruitment cycles stabilise force levels. Meanwhile, the Army is expected to progressively increase Agniveer recruitment to address an estimated shortfall of around 1.8 lakh personnel over the next few years.
The BriefWire