2-year increase in service period for Agniveers; new path for permanent recruitment to open

A significant change has been made to the tenure of Agniveers recruited under the Agnipath Scheme by the Central Government. According to a report by News18, the Union Cabinet has approved the decision to provide an additional 2 years of service for Agniveers after their original 4 years of tenure. This new arrangement will be identified as a 'Second Tour of Duty'.

Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramaniam stated that the 75 per cent of Agniveers who were previously to retire after 4 years will now get the opportunity to serve for an additional 2 years. At the end of this 6-year tenure, Agniveers who are willing and eligible will be given the opportunity to join the regular armed forces as permanent soldiers based on prescribed criteria. This decision has provided a new opportunity for thousands of young soldiers to build a long-term military career.

The Agnipath Scheme is a military recruitment scheme of the Government of India, under which youth are selected to serve in the armed forces for a short period.