Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said the overhaul vindicated opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s objections to the scheme, introduced in 2022, and argued that the government would ultimately have to withdraw it.
“The rate at which the BJP flips, it should be called the Bharatiya Janata Palti,” Khera said, using a play on the ruling party’s name to accuse it of changing its position.
His remarks followed the Union Cabinet’s approval of an additional two-year engagement for Agniveers who are not selected for regular military service after their initial four-year term. Those completing the extension will be eligible for regular enrolment, provided they wish to continue and satisfy prescribed selection criteria.
Under the original arrangement, only 25 per cent of Agniveers could enter regular service after four years, while the remaining 75 per cent were required to leave. The revised policy retains the initial merit-based selection of 25 per cent but offers the others another opportunity to remain in uniform.
Khera alleged that the decision was influenced by approaching assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Himachal Pradesh, states he described as important sources of military recruits. The government has not linked its decision to the electoral calendar.
“This government is a U-turn government,” Khera told reporters, contending that the Centre had dismissed Gandhi’s criticism before changing a central feature of the recruitment system.
He maintained that the extension did not address all the concerns raised by the opposition about employment security and military recruitment. He also questioned the position of personnel who might fail to qualify for regular service after completing six years.
The Congress leader said Gandhi had warned that the scheme was unsustainable and demanded its reconsideration. Khera described Wednesday’s announcement as a significant departure from the earlier requirement for most recruits to leave after four years.
The government presented a different explanation, saying the changes followed an evaluation of Agniveers’ performance and recommendations from the armed forces. The Ministry of Defence said assessments had found strong levels of fitness, motivation, technological ability and professional skills among recruits.
Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani announced the decision after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the revised framework provided a pathway for all willing Agniveers to seek regular military service, although enrolment would remain subject to objective selection standards.
The distinction is important because the Cabinet has not announced unconditional permanent appointments. The additional engagement is voluntary, and continued service after the sixth year depends on meeting the military’s requirements.
The ministry said the Agnipath scheme itself would continue. It described the two-year extension as an adjustment intended to reconcile the aspirations of recruits with organisational efficiency, rather than an abandonment of the recruitment model.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed the decision, describing the additional engagement as a second tour of duty. BJP chief spokesperson Anil Baluni also supported the Cabinet’s move, saying it would strengthen opportunities for young personnel and benefit the armed forces.
The disagreement centres on whether the modification amounts to a correction of an unsuitable policy or a response to operational experience. Congress regards the revision as confirmation of its objections, while the government says performance assessments justified providing further service opportunities.
The timing is significant for the first group of Agniveers, whose initial four-year engagement is approaching completion. Around 18,300 personnel had been due to leave the armed forces by December 31 under the previous provisions.
The Cabinet’s announcement means those not selected for immediate regular enrolment can instead seek the additional two-year term, potentially avoiding the departure originally envisaged under the scheme.
The Defence Ministry said the second engagement would carry higher remuneration, an enhanced Seva Nidhi package and seniority benefits. It did not specify detailed selection thresholds in its announcement.
The government also cited wider recruitment coverage across districts, more standardised selection procedures and improved technological adaptability among personnel as achievements identified during its review.
Agnipath was launched in June 2022 to recruit personnel into the armed forces for an initial four-year period. Its retention provisions became a point of political disagreement because most recruits originally faced compulsory departure after completing that term.
More than 300,000 personnel recruited under the programme are currently serving in the armed forces, according to figures presented during Wednesday’s briefing.
