India limits Agnipath two-year extension to current Agniveer batches
India's Ministry of Defence said on 6 November that the two-year extension of service for Agniveers will apply only to the nine batches already in the ranks, and that recruits joining after December 2026 will continue under the original four-year term. The extension was first announced by the chief of defence staff, who said Agniveers completing a four-year term could serve an additional two years, with 25 % eligible for regular enlistment.
The Union Cabinet later approved a scheme allowing 25 % of Agniveers to join the regular forces after four years and extending the remaining service by two years based on objective criteria. The Ministry of Defence subsequently confirmed that the programme would let all eligible Agniveers join regular forces after six years, adding a two-year extension for 75 % of them and seniority protection for those absorbed.
