Cabinet Approves Two-Year Extension for Agniveersਕੈਬਨਿਟ ਨੇ ਅਗਨੀਵੀਰਾਂ ਲਈ ਦੋ ਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਵਾਧੇ ਨੂੰ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a two-year extension of service for Agniveers, in what the government calls a Second Tour of Duty, giving most recruits under the Agnipath scheme a route to six years in uniform instead of four. Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani announced the decision in New Delhi after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Agnipath scheme itself remains intact and has not been discontinued.

How the new system works

Under Agnipath, launched on 14 June 2022, young people join the Army, Navy and Air Force for a four-year term. The top 25 per cent are retained in the regular cadre on merit at the end of those four years, and that arrangement stays. What changes is the future of the remaining 75 per cent, who were earlier expected to leave service. They will now be offered a second engagement of two years, taking their total service to six years. On completing six years, willing Agniveers will get another opportunity to enrol in the regular armed forces, subject to the prescribed eligibility and selection criteria. Enrolment after six years will not be automatic.

General Subramani said the decision followed three to four months of structured inter-service review and annual performance tracking of the first batches. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed the approval, describing the extra period as a Second Tour of Duty and saying it would give every willing Agniveer a chance to enrol as a regular soldier after four or six years, subject to selection. Details reported from the briefing put the monthly package on the second tour at Rs 43,500 in the first year and Rs 47,500 in the second, plus allowances, with the government's contribution to the Seva Nidhi fund rising during those two years.

Why it matters for Punjab

The timing is immediate. The first Agniveer cohorts complete their four years within weeks: the Navy's first batch on 21 November, the Air Force's on 21 December and the Army's on 31 December, with more than 18,300 personnel in the first cohorts across the services. Punjab has a long tradition of military service, and families across the state have sons and daughters in uniform or preparing for recruitment rallies. For them, the difference between leaving at four years and serving two more, with a second shot at a regular career, is the difference between a short stint and a possible lifetime in the forces.

Who gets the two-year extension?

The 75 per cent of Agniveers who are not retained in the regular cadre in the first merit-based selection after four years. They will be offered a second engagement of two years, taking their total service to six years.

Can an Agniveer become a regular soldier after six years?

Yes, if they are willing and meet the prescribed eligibility and selection criteria. The government has made clear that enrolment after six years is not automatic and will depend on performance and selection.

Has the Agnipath scheme been scrapped?

No. The Chief of Defence Staff said the scheme, introduced on 14 June 2022, remains active and intact, with the same first four years. The change adds a second tour for those not retained at the first selection.