India

Agniveers’ Four‑Year Review Leads to Extended Service Options

By Rahul Singh

Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani said on Wednesday that a four‑year review of Agniveers’ performance highlighted their skills, motivation, physical fitness and technological capabilities, prompting the government to revisit the terms of their service. In a joint cabinet briefing with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the CDS explained that a centralised database was maintained for all Agniveers and that each year their performance was reviewed by the three services. The assessment covered operational aptitude, weapon proficiency, physical fitness and other soldierly skills, with operational aptitude given the highest priority. The defence ministry stated that the review provided detailed feedback on the Agnipath scheme’s efficacy and the Agniveers’ performance, noting strengths such as high physical fitness, morale, motivation, competitive spirit, discipline and technological adaptability.

Under Agnipath, soldiers are recruited for a four‑year term, with a provision to retain only 25 % of them in regular service for another 15 years. The government has now opened the possibility of full‑term service for all Agniveers, a marked change from the original model. Subramani said the scheme was designed to be modifiable from the start and that the government has repeatedly stated it would evaluate performance and review the scheme continuously.

The government has decided to give Agniveers who did not meet the cut for regular service an option to serve for two additional years and to enrol as regular soldiers at the end of that period. "After reviewing their achievements, the armed forces recommended to the government that the 75 % of Agniveers who are remaining should be given another engagement period of two years," the CDS said. The Cabinet approved these recommendations.

All Agniveers will be absorbed as regular soldiers after completing the additional two‑year tenure, subject to selection checks. "Once those two years are complete, all Agniveers will be given the opportunity to become regular soldiers in the Indian armed forces," Subramani said. The selection criteria will include physical fitness, adaptability, discipline and the absence of vigilance cases.

The 25 % retention policy remains unchanged. "That means that 25 % after the first four years, based on merit, will be retained as regular soldiers," the CDS said, adding that the scheme recognises merit, ensures a competitive spirit and keeps Agniveers motivated.

Up to 30 % of the military’s Agniveers are deployed in operational areas and performed well in the roles assigned to them. They faced a baptism of fire during Operation Sindoor last year, and their performance in the first clash with Pakistan reflected courage and resilience. Agniveers operated specialised equipment, weapons and systems across the three services and helped keep aircraft, warships and land units battle‑ready during the operation.