New Delhi: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General NS Raja Subramani has said the Union Cabinet has approved a recommendation to grant an additional two-year engagement period to 75% of Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme, following performance evaluations across the three armed services.

Speaking to ANI, General Raja Subramani explained that the Agnipath scheme was introduced with provisions for continuous review rather than being treated as a fixed policy. He said the armed forces had assessed Agniveers through objective selection criteria and annual performance evaluations before recommending the extension to the government.

Agnipath Scheme Under Continuous Review

General Raja Subramani said that when the Agnipath scheme was introduced, the armed forces had made it clear that its implementation and outcomes would be reviewed over time.

According to the CDS, a centralised database was maintained to track Agniveers' performance across the Army, Navy and Air Force. Their performance was evaluated annually using objective criteria.

He said the armed forces used these assessments, along with the achievements observed during the programme, to determine whether changes to the engagement period were warranted.

Armed Forces Recommended Extension for 75% of Agniveers

The CDS said the Indian armed forces recommended that 75% of Agniveers receive an additional engagement period of two years.

He emphasised that the recommendation followed an ongoing review process and was not a decision made suddenly. Discussions on the proposal had continued over the preceding three to four months, he said.

The Union Cabinet has now approved the recommendation, according to General Raja Subramani's statement.

Performance Assessments Across Three Services

The review process involved performance data from all three services, with a centralised database used to track the progress of Agniveers.

General Raja Subramani said the annual evaluations helped the armed forces assess performance systematically before making their recommendation. The approach, he indicated, reflected the military's intention to use the experience gained under the scheme to guide policy decisions.

Further details on implementation, eligibility conditions and the applicable timelines were not provided in the statement.

What the Decision Means for Agniveers

The approved recommendation provides for an additional two-year engagement period for 75% of Agniveers, as described by the CDS. The decision follows a review of the scheme's performance and discussions between the armed forces and the government.

The detailed rules governing the extension, including how it will apply across the three services, will be important for understanding its implications for Agniveers.

The Cabinet's approval marks a development in the ongoing evaluation of the Agnipath scheme, with the armed forces' performance assessments forming the stated basis for the recommendation.