World · India Bureau
First batch of Agniveers to join armed forces by year-end
The government is preparing to induct the inaugural cohort of Agniveers into the Indian armed services by December 31, as the Defence Ministry simultaneously works on rolling out a two-year extension scheme for recruits completing their initial tenure.
LSN India ·
The first Agniveers are expected to join the Navy, Army, and Air Force by the end of this year, marking a significant milestone for India's military recruitment overhaul. The government had introduced the Agnipath scheme to create a cadre of short-service recruits with a base four-year engagement period, coupled with provisions for selective retention beyond this term.
Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan will serve as the chief guest and reviewing officer at the passing out parade scheduled to be held in Chilka, underscoring the Navy's readiness to receive its first batch of Agniveers. The ceremony will mark the formal induction of these recruits into active service following their training.
Concurrently, the Defence Ministry is preparing to announce a two-year extension scheme that will allow high-performing Agniveers to continue their service beyond the initial four-year commitment. This extension mechanism is designed to retain experienced personnel and provide a career progression pathway for those meeting performance benchmarks.
The Agnipath scheme, introduced in June 2022, represents a significant structural change in military recruitment after several decades. By compressing the initial service period and creating flexibility for extensions, the scheme aims to lower the average age of the armed forces while maintaining operational efficiency and reducing long-term pension liabilities.