For anyone regularly following Trump’s tariff tantrums, 25% is a number that is set to ring a bell and any increase in that would only mean bad news. However, an increase in the number would mean good news for those currently training as Agniveers as this would mean more of them will get to finally serve in the armed forces.

Following the success of Operation Sindoor, talks are on to reassess the Agnipath Scheme, introduced in June 2022, and increase the retention of Agniveers in the armed forces. As per the scheme, Agniveers, after completing the 4-year period, will go to the society as disciplined, dynamic, motivated and skilled work force while up to 25% will be selected to be enrolled in the Armed Forces as a regular cadre.

Now, there could be a revision in this number in the favour of the youth currently under their 4-year training as Agniveers. The Armed Forces are discussing a reassessment of the Agnipath scheme, with the requirement for an ideal ratio between technically proficient and trained manpower in mind, The Indian Express reported.

Agniveers retention in Army: Is the number set to go up?

This is not the first time that the services are reviewing the 2022 Agnipath Scheme, however, the previous discussions haven’t yielded any major results. The reported added that following Operation Sindoor in May, there have been discussions on increasing the retention of Agniveers.

This increased retention would be based on a host of factors like training, experience and expertise acquired by them in their four years. Further, the performance of Agniveers in Operation Sindoor was found to be “excellent”. It is important to note here that the first batch of Agniveers will complete their 4 years by the end of 2026.

A decision on making changes in their retention is likely to take place around that time.

Agnipath Scheme changes: How the retention of Agniveers could change?

Current rules state that 25% of the Agniveers will get retained in the armed forces after their 4-year tenure. This is, however, subject to merit and organisational requirements. Now, Agniveers’ retention is likely to go up to 70-75% in some departments and 100% for Special Forces.

For example, Agniveers’ retention percentage can go up to 70-75% for infantry and other combat arms, 80% for specially trained personnel such like Air Defence, Signals and Engineers among others. For Special Forces, all the Agniveers are likely to be retained, as per the report.

These percentages are still being discussed within the Army and, the report added, will be further deliberated upon at the next Army Commanders Conference.

It is not yet known if the Navy and the Indian Air Force will also propose to increase retention, however, according to Air Chief Marshal A P Singh’s remarks last year, the IAF’s feedback on Agniveers has been very positive. “We were asked if we could absorb more than 25 per cent Agniveers and we said that we could.”