Agniveers may be allowed to marry during 2-year extension under revised Agnipath scheme

The armed forces are considering relaxing the marriage restrictions for Agniveers after they complete their initial four-year tenure, potentially allowing them to marry during the additional two-year engagement period under the revised Agnipath scheme. The proposed relaxation would apply to both the 25% selected on merit for permanent service and those offered a two-year extension with another opportunity to join the regular forces, officials familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Under the existing rules, Agniveers are prohibited from marrying during their initial four-year engagement. The restriction is expected to remain applicable only during this period, with the armed forces considering greater flexibility for personnel who continue serving beyond the initial tenure. However, a formal policy decision on the proposed relaxation is yet to be announced.

Agniveers are recruited under the scheme at the age of 17-and-a-half to 21 years. The marriage-related provision is among several issues being examined as part of a tri-service outreach programme aimed at informing the first batch of recruits about their options after completing four years of service.

The outreach programme is also addressing marriage-related cases that could arise during the proposed two-year extension, described as the second tour of duty. It will include verification of the marital status of personnel opting for the extended engagement, officials said.

Agniveers' service conditions under review

The armed forces are also considering enhancing leave entitlements for Agniveers during the second tour of duty. At present, they receive 30 days of leave during their initial four-year engagement, whereas regular soldiers are entitled to a total of 90 days.

The outreach programme seeks to help Agniveers make informed decisions about continuing their military careers, particularly as the revised framework changes their employment prospects after the initial engagement.

Job reservations previously announced for Agniveers in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), state governments, defence public sector undertakings and other organisations have been scrapped in view of the new opportunity to pursue permanent military service, officials said.

The Army is also examining the possibility of posting Agniveers who complete their initial four-year tenure to Rashtriya Rifles (RR) units, which specialise in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. As first reported by Hindustan Times, the proposal covers both the 25% selected on merit for permanent service and those who opt for the additional two-year engagement.

Agniveers have so far been excluded from extra-regimental postings, despite serving in regular infantry units deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and in the hinterland. They were not assigned to RR battalions because the composition of these specialised units did not allow for an effective assessment of personnel during their initial four-year service period.

The proposed postings would mark a change in this arrangement, potentially allowing Agniveers to gain experience in counter-terrorism operations in the region.

Revised Agnipath scheme offers six-year pathway to regular service

The Union Cabinet approved the revised Agnipath framework, which was unveiled by Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani on November 4. The changes will apply exclusively to the approximately 300,000 Agniveers currently serving in the armed forces. The scheme is expected to undergo further modifications for recruits inducted after December 31.

Under the revised arrangement, the 25% of Agniveers selected on merit will be offered regular employment after completing their initial four-year tenure, as envisaged under the original scheme. The remaining 75% will be offered an additional two-year engagement, subject to their willingness and the recommendations of the armed forces.

After completing the extended period, all willing Agniveers will be offered the opportunity to join the regular armed forces, subject to meeting prescribed eligibility and selection criteria. The revised framework also provides for higher remuneration, an enhanced Seva Nidhi package and seniority benefits during the second engagement period.

The changes were announced weeks before the three services were scheduled to release 75% of the first batch of Agniveers after their four-year tenure, retaining only the 25% selected on merit for another 15 years under the earlier provisions.

Around 18,300 Agniveers were due to be discharged between mid-November and December 31. They constituted three-fourths of the 24,400 recruits inducted into the Army, Navy and Air Force during the first round of recruitment.

The Cabinet-approved changes have now provided the remaining personnel with an additional two years of service and another opportunity to secure permanent enrolment in the armed forces.