The Union Cabinet on 4 November 2026 approved a new pathway for Agniveers to join the regular Armed Forces, Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani announced after the Cabinet meeting.

What changes

  • Under the original Agnipath scheme (launched 14 June 2022), Agniveers serve four years, and up to 25% of each batch are selected on merit for regular service. The rest left with a Seva Nidhi exit package.
  • Now, the remaining 75% will be offered an optional two-year extension — a “Second Tour of Duty” — taking total service to six years.
  • After completing six years, willing Agniveers will get another chance at enrolment as regular soldiers, based on objective selection criteria.

The honest caveat

Regular enrolment after six years is not automatic. It depends on the Agniveer’s willingness and on meeting the selection criteria, which have not been published in full. Agniveers who take the extension will get higher pay and an enhanced Seva Nidhi package — the revised amounts have not been detailed yet.

Who it affects first

The first batch of about 18,300 Agniveers is finishing its four-year tenure in late 2026 — the Navy batch on 21 November, the Air Force on 21 December, and the Army on 31 December.

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