Politics1 min read

Agniveers get 2-year extension, higher pay: Key changes under revised Agnipath scheme explained

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The revision allows roughly 18,300 personnel from an initial batch of 24,400 to accept a second two-year service engagement instead of leaving between November and December. While a quarter of each cohort is still retained in the permanent cadre, those leaving under the original setup faced a return to civilian life with only an Rs 11 lakh Seva Nidhi package. The policy changes build on earlier remedial measures, such as a 10 percent hiring quota for veterans within the central armed police forces and Assam Rifles.

Key points

  • Non-permanent recruits nearing their four-year limit will now have the opportunity to ser…: Non-permanent recruits nearing their four-year limit will now have the opportunity to serve an extra two years under the revised rules.
  • The military retains its core structural goal of lowering its overall average troop age f…: The military retains its core structural goal of lowering its overall average troop age from 32 years down to 24–26 years.
  • Previous concessions to address recruitment unrest included a one-time entry age relaxati…: Previous concessions to address recruitment unrest included a one-time entry age relaxation to 23 years alongside paramilitary hiring quotas.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

With Diwali just days away, the Union Cabinet has given nearly 20,000 Agniveers a reason to smile, as they now have the opportunity to serve for another two years. The Cabinet has made the change just as the initial batch of 24,400 Agniveers was nearing the end of its four-year service term, with as many as 75% of the batch, or 18,300 personnel, set to leave the three armed forces. The first batch of Agniveers from the Navy was set to leave on November 21, the first Air Force batch on December 25 and the Army's batch on December 31.

Under the original scheme, those not selected for permanent service would return to civilian life with a Seva Nidhi package, made up of their own contributions and a 30% contribution from the government. The idea was to lower the average age of the armed forces, build a younger fighting force and reduce long-term salary and pension liabilities.

What is the Agnipath scheme?

The Agnipath scheme was announced on June 14, 2022, with recruitment beginning later that year. It is open…

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