Agnipath Changes Limited to Serving Agniveers; New Recruits to Continue Under Four-Year Scheme
The Centre’s latest changes to the Agnipath scheme will apply only to nine batches of Agniveers currently serving in the armed forces, while fresh recruits inducted after December 2026 will continue under the original four-year engagement model.
According to defence officials, the revised arrangement, announced by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, is intended as a transitional measure for serving Agniveers.
Under the changes, the first 25 per cent of each batch will continue to be absorbed into the regular cadre after completing four years of service. The remaining 75 per cent will be offered an additional two-year engagement, after which they can be absorbed into the regular cadre without any numerical cap, subject to physical fitness, willingness and a clean disciplinary record.
The government will review the four-year model for future recruits at a later stage, depending on the operational requirements of the armed forces.
