The government is considering offering a service extension to some personnel from the first batch of Agniveers, in addition to those selected for permanent absorption, sources told India Today on Monday.The move is being deliberated as the first batch of Agniveers approaches the end of its four-year tenure, with the selection process for permanent enrolment currently underway. Several high-level meetings have been held over the past few days to discuss the proposal, the sources added.No decision has been announced yet.
However, an announcement is expected before the first batch completes its tenure on November 21. The duration of the proposed extension, however, remained unclear.The Indian Navy will be the first of the three defence services to see its first batch of Agniveers complete the four-year service tenure on November 21, followed by the Indian Air Force on December 21 and the Army on December 31.
Under the 'Agnipath' scheme, introduced in 2022 to recruit young people into the other ranks of all three branches of the armed forces for a four-year tenure, up to 25 per cent of Agniveers in each batch can be permanently retained upon completion of their standard service period.The government's original scheme provides that applications for enrolment into the regular cadre are considered through a centralised process based on objective criteria, including performance during the four-year engagement period, along with organisational requirements and policies laid down by the respective Service. Last month, India Today reported that the IAF had decided to retain 712 out of the 2,850 recruits in its inaugural Agniveer Vayu batch.- Ends