2-year extension for Agniveers will strengthen armed forces, says Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday backed the government's decision to introduce a Second Tour of Duty for Agniveers, expressing confidence that the initiative would further strengthen the three armed services. He said the decision was taken after receiving feedback from the Defence Forces and would provide Agniveers with another opportunity to serve the country.Addressing the Air Force Commanders' Conference in New Delhi, Singh also highlighted the changing nature of warfare, asserting that future military victories would not depend merely on the number of aircraft but on technological sophistication, speed of response and precision of preparations.Calling for enhanced military preparedness against both conventional and emerging threats, the Defence Minister said the Indian Air Force (IAF) must strengthen its offensive and defensive capabilities to maintain the element of surprise in an increasingly technology-driven battlespace.Expressing confidence in the Second Tour of Duty initiative, Singh said the decision had been taken after considering feedback from the Defence Forces and would contribute to strengthening the three Services.

The initiative provides Agniveers completing their initial four-year engagement with an additional two-year tenure. Following the completion of this extended period, they will be eligible for enrolment as regular soldiers, subject to their willingness and fulfilment of the prescribed selection criteria.The government had announced the changes at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, just over three weeks before around 18,300 Agniveers were scheduled to complete their initial four-year tenure and exit the armed forces.

Singh had earlier described the decision as a "significant Diwali gift for Agniveers", reiterating the government's commitment to the welfare of defence personnel and their families.Under the revised arrangement, Agniveers will get another opportunity to continue serving in the armed forces beyond their initial engagement period.The Agnipath recruitment scheme, introduced in June 2022, initially provided for recruiting young people between 17-and-a-half and 21 years of age for a four-year term. Under the original arrangement, only 25 per cent of recruits were eligible for retention in regular service.Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani had said the changes would open a pathway for Agniveers, with almost all of them expected to be absorbed into the defence forces.Defence officials had also clarified that the Agnipath scheme had not been rolled back.

They said serving Agniveers would be absorbed as regular soldiers after six years of service, provided they were willing to continue, physically fit and disciplined.At present, more than three lakh soldiers recruited under the Agnipath scheme are serving in the military.- Ends