Over 800 Agniveers Graduate From Army Air Defence College, Dogra Regimental Centre
Over 800 Agniveers joined the Indian Army's ranks after months of rigorous training. Image courtesy: Screengrab from video handout by Indian Army
The Indian Army marked a significant milestone this week as more than 800 Agniveers completed their training and formally passed out from two major regimental centres — the Army Air Defence Centre in Gopalpur and the Dogra Regimental Centre in Faizabad. These ceremonies signal the expanding footprint and institutionalisation of the Agnipath recruitment scheme, launched to modernise the Army’s personnel structure and infuse young blood into its ranks.
The fifth batches of Agniveers from both centres were inducted following rigorous, months-long training that tested them physically, mentally, and tactically. With this, the Agnipath scheme continues to gain traction across India’s military establishments, feeding a new generation of soldiers into various Army regiments and specialist arms.
What kind of training do Agniveers undergo before joining the Indian Army?
The Agniveer training process is deliberately intense and holistic. For instance, at the Dogra Regimental Centre, 402 Agniveers completed a 31-week programme that began on November 1, 2024. The training included field craft, tactical drills, weapon handling, physical conditioning, and classroom instruction.
One of the most demanding segments was a week-long field exercise that tested the Agniveers’ ability to operate independently for 72 hours, culminating in a 40-kilometre “Josh Run” — a gruelling test of endurance, resolve, and teamwork.
At the Army Air Defence Centre in Gopalpur, another 401 Agniveers passed out after undergoing similarly rigorous training tailored to the rigorous demands of the Indian Army.
Recap: What is the Agnipath Scheme?
The Agniveer scheme, officially known as the Agnipath recruitment scheme, is a major transformation in how the Indian Armed Forces recruit personnel below officer rank. Launched by the Government of India in June 2022, the scheme is aimed at modernizing the military’s human resource structure while maintaining a youthful and dynamic profile across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The Agnipath scheme is a short-term military recruitment model under which young Indians are enrolled as Agniveers for a period of four years in the armed forces. At the end of this tenure:
Up to 25% of each cohort may be selected for permanent service based on merit, performance, and organizational needs.
The remaining 75% exit the service with a Seva Nidhi package — a tax-free corpus of approximately Rs 11.7 lakh (as of current figures), including contributions from both the government and the Agniveer.
