The Union Cabinet has added a two-year engagement for Agniveers not selected for regular service, stretching possible tenure from four years to six.

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• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a two-year Second Tour of Duty for Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme on 4 November 2026.
• Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani announced the decision, which followed recommendations from the three services.
• The extension applies to the 75 per cent of Agniveers who are not selected for regular enrolment after their initial four-year tenure.
• Willing Agniveers can now serve for up to six years under the scheme instead of four.
• At the end of the extra two years, those who wish to continue can apply for enrolment as regular soldiers, subject to objective selection criteria.
• The provision to enrol 25 per cent of Agniveers into regular forces on merit continues unchanged.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Cabinet's move was meant to prepare the military for the changing character of warfare.
• Agniveers due to complete their tenure in December were among those who benefit from the two-year extension.
• The government said the Agnipath scheme will continue, with the revised pathway forming part of its wider defence recruitment structure.
• The Opposition criticised the move over concerns about long-term job security, while the BJP welcomed it as a step to strengthen the armed forces.

Tags: AgnipathScheme, Agniveers, SecondTourOfDuty