Defence / Dharmendra Pradhan welcomes cabinet nod for extended service opportunity under Agnipath scheme

Bhubaneswar, Nov 4: Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday welcomed the Union Cabinet's decision to provide Agniveers with an additional two-year service opportunity under the Agnipath scheme.
Pradhan described the move as a significant step towards creating a younger, technology-driven and future-ready armed force.

अग्निवीरों के साहस, समर्पण और सैन्य सेवा के अनुभव को और अधिक अवसर प्रदान करने की दिशा में केंद्र सरकार का महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय! माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी की अध्यक्षता में केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल द्वारा #Agnipath योजना' के अंतर्गत अग्निवीरों को 2 वर्ष के अतिरिक्त सेवा अवसर (Second Tour of Duty) को मंजूरी दी गई है। यह निर्णय भारतीय सशस्त्र सेनाओं को अधिक युवा, सक्षम, तकनीक-संपन्न और भविष्य की सुरक्षा चुनौतियों के लिए तैयार बनाने के संकल्प को और मजबूती प्रदान करेगा। इसके अतिरिक्त, 4/6 वर्ष की सेवा अवधि पूरी होने के बाद नियमित सैनिक के रूप में भर्ती होने के इच्छुक अग्निवीरों को भी निर्धारित चयन प्रक्रिया के आधार पर अवसर मिलेगा। इस दूरदर्शी निर्णय के लिए आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री जी और माननीय रक्षामंत्री श्री @rajnathsingh जी का हार्दिक आभार! #CabinetDecisions

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 4, 2026

Cabinet Decision

In a post on X, Pradhan said the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had approved a "Second Tour of Duty" for Agniveers, allowing them an additional two years of service under the Agnipath scheme.

He said the decision would offer greater opportunities to Agniveers while strengthening the armed forces' preparedness to address emerging security challenges.

Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani today announced that the Union Cabinet had approved an option for Agniveers to continue in service for two additional years beyond their existing four-year tenure. At the end of the extended service period, eligible Agniveers would be able to apply for absorption into the regular armed forces through the prescribed selection process.

Career Opportunities

Pradhan further noted that Agniveers completing their four- or six-year tenure would also have an opportunity to join the regular armed forces through a prescribed selection process.

Describing the move as a forward-looking reform, he said it would bolster the government's commitment to building a capable, youthful and technologically equipped military force.
Also Read: Agniveer scheme gets 2-year extension as Centre increases service period from 4 to 6 years

The BJP leader also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for what he termed a visionary decision aimed at enhancing career prospects for Agniveers while reinforcing national security.

"The important decision will provide greater opportunities to Agniveers and further strengthen the resolve to build armed forces that are young, capable, technologically empowered and prepared for future security challenges," Pradhan said.