Agniveer scheme not rolled back, all eligible recruits to be absorbed after six years: MoD

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At the end of the second engagement period, all those willing and meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria will be absorbed as regular soldiers, officials said. File | Photo Credit: Sathyamoorthy M

A day after announcing a two-year extension of the Agniveer engagement period, the government on Thursday (November 5, 2026) clarified that the Agnipath scheme has not been rolled back and that the revised arrangement creates a pathway for all Agniveers to eventually join the regular cadre of the armed forces.

According to Ministry of Defence sources, the scheme remains unchanged in its basic structure, with an additional engagement period of two years introduced for the 75% of Agniveers who are not absorbed into the regular cadre after their initial four-year tenure. At the end of the second engagement period, all those willing and meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria will be absorbed as regular soldiers, officials said.

Addressing concerns over the seniority of the 75% Agniveers who will serve for six years before joining the regular cadre, a Defence Ministry official said their seniority would be protected. On absorption, they will be placed immediately after their respective batchmates who entered the regular cadre after completing the initial four-year engagement period. They will not be placed below personnel belonging to subsequent batches, the official clarified.

The official also confirmed that there would be no numerical cap on the absorption of the remaining 75% after the second engagement period. While the first 25% will continue to be absorbed after four years, the remaining Agniveers will be inducted into the regular cadre after six years, provided they are willing, physically fit and maintain the required standards of discipline.

The Cabinet decision to extend the engagement period has drawn mixed reactions from military veterans, with questions being raised over its implications for the original structure of the Agnipath scheme and the long-term personnel management of the armed forces.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh described the revised arrangement as a “win-win solution”, saying the scheme had envisaged a reassessment after the initial four-year period.

“From the very beginning, it was stated that the programme would be reassessed after four years. During this reassessment, if an Agniveer’s performance has been exceptionally good, including in various operational assignments, the possibility of offering them a second term of two years may be considered. After that, those who are willing and meet the required eligibility criteria, including the prescribed operational parameters, will be given an opportunity to join the regular Army permanently,” he said.

Mr. Singh said the revised arrangement would allow Agniveers to demonstrate their capabilities through a competitive process, while giving the Army an opportunity to retain personnel who perform well.

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