Cabinet approves two more years of service for Agniveers, opening route to regular soldier status

New Delhi, November 4, 2026: The Union Cabinet has approved an additional two-year service period for Agniveers. After this period, all eligible Agniveers will be offered recruitment as regular soldiers in the armed forces. The condition is that they are willing and meet the selection criteria.

Under the revised route announced by the government on November 4, 2026, 25 per cent of Agniveers will continue to be offered regular jobs on merit, as already provided in the Agnipath scheme. The remaining 75 per cent of Agniveers, if they wish to continue serving, will be eligible for another service period of two years.

After this additional period, these Agniveers too will be offered recruitment as regular soldiers, provided they meet the prescribed selection criteria and give their consent for this service.

The decision is based on an assessment carried out after four years of implementing the Agnipath scheme. According to the Ministry of Defence, the assessment examined the needs of the organisation and its operational capability. It also looked at the performance of Agniveers, including their skills, physical fitness, morale and ability to adapt to new technology.

The government has said the purpose of the additional service period is to balance the career expectations of Agniveers with the operational needs of the armed forces. According to the announcement, the second service period will include higher pay, an enhanced Seva Nidhi package and seniority benefits.

The Cabinet decision also means that the Agnipath scheme will continue, and the additional service period will be part of the route to regular service.

The outcomes highlighted in the government's four-year assessment include recruitment from more districts, a more standardised recruitment process and greater opportunities for women across the branches of the armed forces. The assessment also mentions the physical fitness, discipline, skill development and adaptability to technology of Agniveers.

The new arrangement offers another route to Agniveers who are not selected for regular jobs after the initial service period. They will be able to stay in service before being considered for regular recruitment.