The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force are proposing to increase the retention quota for Agniveers from the current 25% to up to 75%, according to a report by livemint.com. Agniveers, who began training in early 2023 under the Agnipath scheme, are set to complete their initial four-year tenure later this year. The proposal aims to retain a larger portion of these trained personnel in the armed forces beyond their initial service period.
The Agnipath scheme, launched in 2022, recruits soldiers on a short-term contractual basis for four years, after which only a fraction are retained for longer service. Currently, the retention rate across the three services is capped at 25%. The armed forces are now seeking approval to expand this retention quota to 75%, a move reported by the Indian Express and highlighted by livemint.com. This request comes as the first batches of Agniveers approach the end of their service term, prompting the services to evaluate manpower needs and retention policies.
Increasing the retention quota could address manpower shortages and enhance operational readiness by keeping experienced personnel within the forces. The Agnipath scheme was introduced to modernize recruitment and reduce long-term liabilities, but the low retention rate has raised concerns about the loss of trained soldiers. Raising the quota to 75% would mark a significant policy shift, potentially impacting recruitment strategies and force composition. The proposal reflects ongoing adjustments as the armed forces adapt to the new recruitment model introduced under the Agnipath scheme.
The initial Agniveer batches, who started training in early 2023, are due to complete their four-year tenure later this year. The armed forces’ request to increase retention to 75% is currently under consideration, with official decisions expected in the coming months, according to livemint.com.