The Indian Army is considering a major expansion of the Agniveer recruitment scheme to deal with a severe shortage of soldiers. Officials said on Wednesday that the force may increase its annual Agniveer intake from 50,000 to 100,000. The proposal aims to quickly fill the gap in the PBOR (personnel below officer rank) cadre.
Large Shortfall Due to COVID-19 Recruitment Freeze
The Army currently faces a shortfall of almost 180,000 soldiers. Officials said this gap emerged because legacy recruitment stopped during the COVID years 2020 and 2021. At the same time, nearly 60,000 soldiers retire every year. The halt created a backlog that the Army now wants to clear at speed.
Agniveers Already Handling Critical Roles
Officials highlighted that more than 3,000 Agniveers—most of them only around 20 years old—played key roles during Operation Sindoor earlier this year. They manned important weapon systems in the Army’s air defence shield during the May 7–10 clash with Pakistan. The air defence network held strong, and officials said Pakistan “couldn’t punch through” it.
Why the Agnipath Model Matters Now?
The government introduced the Agnipath scheme three years ago to make the armed forces younger and more agile. Agnipath marked a major shift from the decades-old recruitment system. Under the scheme, the Army recruits Agniveers for four years. Only 25% of them get selected for continued service for another 15 years.
The older system offered soldiers a service span of about 20 years, followed by pensions and lifelong benefits. Agniveers who complete four years do not receive pension, medical benefits or canteen facilities.
Growing Debate on Long-Term Impact
The possible doubling of Agniveer intake signals the Army’s urgent need to fill its ranks. However, it also renews debate on the long-term impact of the scheme. Defence analysts say the Army must balance youthfulness with experience, especially when dealing with specialised technologies and high-risk operations.
Some experts warn that a shorter service period may reduce the number of experienced soldiers in critical units in the future. Others argue that the scheme gives the military a flexible, modern workforce structure that suits emerging security needs.
Pressure to Strengthen Border Readiness
The push to expand Agniveer recruitment comes at a time when India is facing increased pressure on both its northern and western borders. Tensions with Pakistan continue, and the standoff with China shows no sign of easing.
Officials said the Army wants to strengthen manpower quickly to maintain high readiness along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A larger intake of Agniveers would allow faster deployment of young soldiers across key operational areas. The final decision on doubling the intake is expected after internal reviews and consultations with the government.
