Big Gift For Agniveers! 25% To Become Regular Soldiers, 75% To Receive Two-year Extensions

New Delhi: Before Diwali , the central government has given a big gift to Agniveers and has made a big announcement on the service extension scheme. According to the decision of the central cabinet, 25% Agniveers will become regular soldiers, while the remaining 75% Agniveers will be given a service extension of two years. This means the service of Agniveers has been increased from four years to six years. Chief of Defence Staff i.e. CDS General NS Raja Subramani has given this information. He said that Agniveers who get a tenure of two years will also be offered permanent posts later on, based on the performance assessment. CDS Subramani said that Agniveers who get extension in service will get increased salary and allowances.

Addressing the media after the Union Cabinet meeting, CDS General NS Raja Subrahmanyam said, "Today is a very important day for the Indian Defence Forces and our 'Agniveers'. The Cabinet has opened the way for all Agniveers to join the Indian Defence Forces. As you know, the 'Agneepath' scheme was launched on June 14, 2022. At that time, it was stated that the performance of Agniveers would be continuously evaluated and the scheme would be reviewed from time to time. The first batch of Agniveers is now close to completing its four-year tenure. Based on the performance evaluation done over these four years, we have received very positive feedback on their work."

Agniveer service tenure extended by two years

Subramanian continued, “As you know, 25% of Agniveers are to be inducted into the regular Army based on merit. Previously, 75% of Agniveers were expected to return to society as disciplined and motivated youth, but the Union Cabinet has approved a change. Under the new and updated plan, the remaining 75% of Agniveers will now be given an additional two-year extension. Upon completion of this two-year period, those who wish will be inducted into the armed forces based on a prescribed selection process. These are the four main aspects of this plan.”

The decision was taken under the chairmanship of PM Modi

This major decision regarding Agniveers was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Significantly, this step has been taken at a time when approximately 18,000 Agniveers were to retire from the armed forces in a few weeks, but now all of them have received a two-year extension. It should be noted that Agniveers were recruited in 2022 under the 'Agnipath' scheme for a four-year tenure. There was a provision that only 25 percent of these Agniveers would be retained in regular service.

Connection with assembly elections

An important aspect of this change is that it is being linked to the upcoming assembly elections. Assembly elections are scheduled for early next year in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. A large number of young men from these states join the army and have benefited from the Agnipath scheme. Now, they have received a two-year extension.