Cabinet opens a full absorption route for Agniveers with a two-year service extension

4 November 2026

The Union Cabinet has cleared a change in the Agnipath scheme that lets every Agniveer work towards regular service in the defence forces. Until now only 25 per cent of each batch, picked on merit, moved into regular service at the end of four years. On the recommendation of the defence forces, the remaining 75 per cent will now get an additional service period of two years, which they may take up voluntarily. After those two years, all of them may be enrolled as regular soldiers if they wish and if they meet the selection criteria. Agniveers in the second service period will get higher pay, a better service fund package and seniority-related benefits. The Cabinet also decided that Agnipath itself will continue. The release says the forces assessed the first four years of the scheme and reported gains in skills, technical adaptability, physical fitness and discipline, and wider recruitment across districts.