Agnipath Scheme

Agnipath Scheme: Join the Indian Army, Navy or Air Force as an Agniveer

A Government of India scheme that recruits young Indians into the three services for four years, with a monthly salary of ₹30,000 to ₹40,000, a Seva Nidhi package, ₹48 lakh life insurance cover and a path to regular service.

Latest update (4 November 2026): The Union Cabinet approved a new pathway for Agniveers. Based on merit, 25% will be offered regular employment after the initial four years. The remaining 75% will have the option of an additional two years of service, subject to their willingness, with higher remuneration, an enhanced Seva Nidhi package and seniority benefits. After this, they may be considered for regular enrolment under the prescribed selection criteria. Please check the Press Information Bureau (PIB) announcement for the official details.

What is the Agnipath Scheme?

The Government of India launched the Agnipath Scheme on 14 June 2022. It is administered by the Ministry of Defence through the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, which handle recruitment, training and service arrangements. Eligible young men and women are enrolled as Agniveers for an initial period of four years, including training.

Objectives

• Create a younger, fitter and more technically skilled Armed Forces
• Give young Indians a chance to experience military service
• Build discipline, leadership, teamwork, physical fitness, patriotism and professional skills
• Make trained, disciplined youth available for civilian employment and nation-building after service

Key Benefits

• Monthly salary of ₹30,000 in the first year, rising to ₹40,000 in the fourth year
• Allowances, including Risk and Hardship Allowance, depending on posting and service conditions
• Seva Nidhi of about ₹11.71 lakh (tax-exempt lump sum, including interest) after four years under the original arrangement
• ₹48 lakh non-contributory life insurance cover during the engagement
• ₹44 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin in case of death attributable to service, along with other applicable benefits
• One-time disability compensation based on the assessed percentage of disability
• Military training, technical skills and a skill certificate with credits that can support higher education and future careers
• A chance for regular service in the Armed Forces, subject to merit

Salary and Seva Nidhi Package

Under the original structure, 70% of the monthly package is paid in hand. The remaining 30% goes to the Agniveer Corpus Fund, and the Government adds an equal contribution.

Over four years, the Agniveer and the Government each contribute about ₹5.02 lakh. Allowances are paid separately. Under the 4 November 2026 update, those doing the additional two-year engagement receive higher remuneration and an enhanced Seva Nidhi as per the revised rules.

Who Is Eligible?

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Generally 17.5 to 21 years of age at the time of enrolment, as per the recruitment notification
• A one-time upper-age relaxation up to 23 years applied to the 2022 recruitment cycle only. It does not apply automatically to later cycles.
• Men and women can apply for positions notified by the services
• Must meet the educational qualification for the chosen category or trade. For example, certain General Duty posts in the Army require Class 10.
• Must meet the prescribed physical fitness standards, including height and weight
• Must be medically fit as per the standards of the respective service
• Must satisfy document verification and all other conditions in the recruitment notification

Documents Required

Exact requirements vary by service and category, so check your notification. Generally you will need:

• Aadhaar card or another valid identity proof
• Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates, as applicable
• Recent passport-size photographs
• Scanned signature
• Domicile or residence certificate, where required
• Caste certificate, if applicable
• NCC, sports or other achievement certificates, if applicable
• Valid email address and mobile number
• Any additional documents specified in the Army, Navy or Air Force notification

Selection Process

Each service runs its own selection. The stages generally are:

1. Online registration on the recruitment website of your chosen force
2. Written or online examination, which may cover general knowledge, mathematics, science, English and reasoning, depending on the category
3. Physical fitness test, such as running and other exercises, with standards varying by service and category
4. Adaptability tests, for certain Air Force posts
5. Medical examination
6. Merit list and final enrolment, based on performance, medical fitness, vacancies and recruitment rules

How to Apply

Applications are online through each service’s recruitment portal. Always follow the latest notification rather than an earlier intake.

Indian Army

1. Open the Army recruitment website and select Agniveer Apply/Login.
2. Register with your personal details, mobile number and email, or log in if you already have an account.
3. Choose the Agniveer category you are eligible for.
4. Fill in the application form with personal and educational details.
5. Upload documents and select examination centres as instructed.
6. Pay the examination fee online.
7. Review, submit, then download or print the application and keep your registration details.

Indian Navy

1. Visit the Navy recruitment website and create a candidate account using Aadhaar or another accepted government ID.
2. Complete your candidate profile.
3. Open Current Opportunities in your dashboard and look for Agniveer (SSR) or Agniveer (MR) openings.
4. Select the entry you qualify for and complete the application.
5. Upload documents and photographs in the prescribed format.
6. Pay the fee, if applicable, and submit.
7. Check Application Status in your dashboard, then download the confirmation.

Indian Air Force (Agniveervayu)

1. Visit the Agniveervayu recruitment portal and find the current notification.
2. Open the registration link for the relevant intake and create your account.
3. Log in and enter personal, educational and contact details.
4. Upload your photograph, signature, thumb impression and other documents as instructed.
5. Pay the application fee online.
6. Check all details, submit, and save the confirmation.

After applying, keep checking your portal for exam dates, admit cards, results and further instructions.

Service Period and Regular Enrolment

• Agniveers are enrolled for four years, including training.
• Under the original arrangement, up to 25% of each batch could be selected for regular service based on merit, performance and organisational needs. Those selected served a further minimum of 15 years.
• Under the revised arrangement: the remaining 75% can take an additional two-year engagement, subject to willingness, and may then be considered for regular enrolment.
• Those who leave after their applicable engagement receive the Seva Nidhi payable under the rules governing their service.

Career Opportunities After Service

Former Agniveers can use their training, experience and skill certificates to pursue further education or jobs in government departments, security services and private organisations. The Government has also announced employment preferences for eligible former Agniveers in certain Central Armed Police Forces and other services. Age relaxations, reservations and conditions depend on each department’s rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Agnipath Scheme?
It is a Government of India scheme launched on 14 June 2022 that recruits young Indians into the Army, Navy and Air Force as Agniveers for an initial four-year period.

2. When was the scheme launched?
On 14 June 2022.

3. Who is eligible to apply?
Indian citizens, men and women, generally aged 17.5 to 21 years, who meet the educational, physical and medical standards in the recruitment notification.

4. What is the age limit?
Generally 17.5 to 21 years. The one-time relaxation up to 23 years applied to the 2022 cycle and is not automatic for later cycles.

5. What is the duration of service?
Four years initially, including training. Under the 4 November 2026 update, eligible Agniveers not offered regular service may undertake an additional two years, subject to willingness.

6. What is the Seva Nidhi package?
A tax-exempt lump sum paid at the end of the engagement. Agniveers contribute 30% of their monthly package, the Government matches it, and interest is added. Under the original arrangement it is about ₹11.71 lakh. The extended engagement brings an enhanced package.

7. How many Agniveers can be retained in the regular forces?
25% of each batch, based on merit, after the initial four years. The remaining 75% can take the additional two-year engagement and may later be considered for regular enrolment.

8. Do Agniveers receive training?
Yes. They receive military training, technical skills and a skill certificate recognising their training and experience.

9. What happens after four years?
Selected Agniveers move to regular service. Others may take the additional two-year engagement, or leave with their Seva Nidhi and move towards education or civilian employment.

10. Can Agniveers get permanent employment in the Armed Forces?
Yes, subject to selection. Regular enrolment depends on merit, performance, organisational requirements and the prescribed selection criteria.

Contact Information

Ministry of Defence, Government of India

• Phone: 011-23793724 (the scheme summary also lists 011-23015444)
• Address: Room No. 305, ‘B’ Wing, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi 110011
• No Agnipath-specific email address is listed in the Ministry’s contact directory.

For recruitment queries, contact the Army Recruiting Office, Navy recruitment authority or Air Force recruitment centre through their official portals.