Agnipath Scheme Changed: Two-Year "Second Tour of Duty" for Agniveers
On 4 November 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a two-year "Second Tour of Duty" for Agniveers recruited under the Agnipath scheme. The Defence Minister announced the decision.
Until now, Agniveers served for four years. Up to 25% were then selected as regular soldiers and the other 75% left service. Now that 75% can get two more years, making a total of six years.
The 25% merit-based selection after four years stays. Willing Agniveers who meet the selection criteria can also be enrolled as regular soldiers after six years. This is not automatic; it depends on willingness and selection.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General N.S. Raja Subramani, briefed the media. He said the decision followed performance reviews since the scheme began on 14 June 2022, and that feedback from units had been very positive.
The first batch of Agniveers was due to complete four years in late 2026, with more than 18,300 expected to leave by 31 December 2026. With the extension, eligible Agniveers can serve until 2028. Detailed guidelines are still to come.
Agnipath Scheme: Structure and Rationale
The Agnipath scheme is how India has recruited soldiers, sailors and airmen below officer rank since June 2022. Young people join for a fixed term and are called Agniveers. At the end of the term, a share of them is selected to become regular, permanent soldiers, and the rest return to civilian life with a lump-sum payment. The scheme aimed to make the forces younger and to control the rising pension bill.
The extension changes the scheme's most debated feature, the short four-year term after which 75% had to leave. By adding a second tour and a second chance at permanent enrolment, the government is trying to keep trained soldiers longer and ease worries about their future after exit.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): Creation, Role and Appointment
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is India's senior-most military officer who looks after matters common to all three services: the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. The CDS is a four-star officer and acts as the government's single-point military adviser on tri-service issues. The CDS also heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence. However, the CDS does not command troops in battle; each service chief still commands their own force.
The CDS, as head of the Department of Military Affairs, deals with recruitment and manpower policy for the three services, including the Agnipath scheme. That is why the CDS briefed the media on the Second Tour of Duty and explained that it came from performance reviews of Agniveers across the services.
- Decision: Union Cabinet, 4 November 2026
- Agnipath scheme launched: 14 June 2022; original term 4 years
- Second Tour of Duty: 2 extra years for the 75% not selected after 4 years; total 6 years
- Regular enrolment: up to 25% after 4 years (unchanged), plus another chance after 6 years for willing Agniveers who meet the criteria
- First batch: more than 18,300 Agniveers were due to leave by 31 December 2026; can now serve until 2028
- CDS: General N.S. Raja Subramani