Behind Agniveer retention move: More experienced manpower, training on new platforms

This was among the lessons learnt from Operation Sindoor last year.

While the Agniveers performed extremely well in operations, there were instances when expe­r­ience gained across various field tenures and multiple training exercises came in handy, in terms of faster and more effective reactions in operational situations.

With a constant number of soldiers retiring every year, a lower retention of Agniveers might lead to a shortfall of manpower in the forces in the immediate future, although officials have maintained that the issue will be resolved in a few years.

Agniveers recruited under the Agnipath scheme began their training in early 2023. The initial batches of Agniveers will complete their four-year tenure with the services later this year. Under the existing policy, all of them will initially be released from the services, after which up to 25 per cent of those who volunteer will be enrolled back as regular soldiers based on merit.

Sources told The Indian Express that the Navy is likely to seek retention of around 75 per cent of its Agniveers, while the Army and the Indian Air Force may seek an increase to around 50 per cent. The issue is expected to be discussed further between the three services and the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).

Why the services want higher retention

Significant procurement of new technologies, modern platforms and equipment following Operation Sindoor has also created a growing need for extended specialised training on these systems, sources said. To ensure that soldiers gain sufficient experience, it may be necessary for them to train on these systems for longer durations.

This will be particularly relevant for the sailors in the Navy and certain airmen and soldiers, who are trained to handle highly technical equipment and weapon systems.

Retaining a greater percentage of Agniveers will balance the need for keeping a younger profile for the manpower across the three services, while also having adequately experienced personnel in the Armed Forces, sources said.

There are other factors as well. Longer tenures as soldiers, particularly in the initial years in the forces, are considered to build better camaraderie between colleagues when they go through hardships and difficult tenures together.

According to sources, even if an increase in the overall retention percentage is not approved, specialised units may induct a higher proportion of retained Agniveers while other units continue to have a larger number of soldiers serving their four-year tenure. This could allow the overall retention percentage to remain at 25 per cent. For instance, the Army’s newly raised Bhairav battalions could eventually have a higher proportion of retained soldiers than regular infantry battalions.

The road ahead

The services have examined the issue before. A proposal seeking higher retention percentages had earlier been forwarded to the Department of Military Affairs, but was returned for re-evaluation.

Training under the Agnipath scheme has continued across all three services. In the last training year, around 70,000 Agniveers were undergoing training in the Army alone across regimental centres. In the next training year, around 90,000 vacancies are expected to be released as the Army seeks to progressively bridge its manpower shortfall.

Former Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, in an interview with The Indian Express last month, said the Agnipath scheme should be seen as a major manpower reform aimed at making the Army younger, more energetic, disciplined and future-ready, and that the Agniveers are making a positive contribution to the Indian Army.

He also said that the scheme is an evolutionary process and the full cycle of the first batch is yet to be completed, and, therefore, any decision on tweaks or refinements to the scheme will be based on time, experience, operational feedback and institutional assessment.