The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a significant change to the Agnipath recruitment scheme, allowing 75 per cent of Agniveers to serve for an additional two years after completing their initial four-year engagement period.
The decision was announced on November 4, 2026, by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General N.S. Raja Subramani during a media briefing in New Delhi. The revised arrangement aims to provide greater continuity of service and create an additional opportunity for Agniveers to enter the regular cadre of the Armed Forces.
Under the existing provision, 25 per cent of Agniveers are selected for regular enrolment after completing their four-year tenure on the basis of merit. Following the latest Cabinet approval, the remaining 75 per cent will be offered a second engagement period of two years, subject to their willingness.
After completing the additional two years, these Agniveers will also be offered an opportunity to enrol as regular soldiers, provided they are willing and fulfil the prescribed selection criteria. Their enrolment will not be automatic and will depend on the applicable assessment and selection requirements.
General Raja Subramani said the decision followed a detailed assessment of Agniveers’ performance during the first four years of implementation of the scheme. He noted that the Defence Forces had received positive feedback regarding their skills, physical fitness, motivation, discipline and technological adaptability.
The revised arrangement will also provide higher remuneration during the additional engagement period, along with an enhanced Seva Nidhi package and seniority-related benefits.
According to reports, the extended engagement will carry monthly remuneration of ₹43,500 in the fifth year and ₹47,500 in the sixth year.
The first batch of Agniveers, recruited after the introduction of the Agnipath scheme in June 2022, is approaching the completion of its initial four-year tenure. More than 18,000 personnel from the first cohort were expected to leave the Armed Forces by the end of 2026 under the earlier provisions.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed the Cabinet’s decision, describing the additional engagement as a ‘Second Tour of Duty’. The move is aimed at retaining trained personnel while providing them with an extended opportunity to serve the country.
The Agnipath scheme was introduced on June 14, 2022, to recruit personnel into the Army, Navy and Air Force for an initial four-year period. The latest changes follow a review of the scheme’s implementation and the performance of its first batches.
With the revised arrangement, the government has introduced an additional service pathway for Agniveers, combining longer engagement opportunities with a further chance for regular enrolment in the Indian Armed Forces.
