What Agniveers get after four years: Seva Nidhi package, insurance cover and job quotas

The journey of young men and women recruited into the armed forces under the Agnipath scheme is reaching a new turning point. When the scheme was announced four years ago, it was widely discussed and debated across the country. Now the first batch of Navy Agniveers is set to complete four years of service and leave on November 21, 2026. The country is watching what lies ahead for these young people returning from the forces.

Under the scheme, about 75 per cent of Agniveers will be released after four years, while the 25 per cent who perform best will be made permanent in the forces. The three services are considering raising the retention rate, that is, the rate at which service is extended. Preparations are on to send a fresh proposal to the government. Those returning to civilian life have many questions about their future, and the arrangements the government has made for their rehabilitation are as follows.

First, the financial benefits. On completing service, each retiring Agniveer will receive a Seva Nidhi package of about Rs 10.04 lakh in all. The amount will be tax-free. It includes the Agniveer's own contribution, the government's matching share and the interest earned on it.

During service, Agniveers are covered by insurance of Rs 48 lakh, a major safety net for them and their families. Retiring Agniveers will also be given a skill certificate, which will help them get preference in interviews for private or government jobs. However, they will not receive gratuity, pension, or lifelong medical and canteen facilities.

On employment, the government and various ministries are trying to ensure that these young people, who complete four years of service to the country, do not go jobless. The Ministry of Home Affairs is preparing a special portal so that ex-Agniveers can easily find placements in the corporate and government sectors. It will offer them several job options.

Fifty per cent reservation has been set aside in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). In forces such as the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and Assam Rifles, 50 per cent of posts of Constable (General Duty) and Rifleman are reserved for ex-Agniveers. A new category called "Ex-Agniveer" has also been created for them. In recruitment to these forces, ex-Agniveers will be exempt from the Physical Standard Test (PST), the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and the written examination.

State governments are not lagging behind either. Several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, have reserved 10 to 20 per cent of posts in the police and other departments for ex-Agniveers. Age relaxation of 3 to 5 years has also been announced, which will make it easier for these young people to get government jobs.