The Indian Air Force has decided to retain 712 personnel out of the 2,850 Agniveer Vayu recruits in the first batch nearing the end of their four-year engagement, sources told India Today. The remaining personnel have been informed that they will not be absorbed into the regular cadre as the selection and exit process for the first cohort approaches completion.
Sources said the Agniveers had been individually informed of the outcome of the selection process. Although the Indian Air Force has not made a formal public announcement on the figures, the process is nearing a key milestone ahead of the completion of the first batch’s four-year tenure.
Agniveers are personnel recruited into the Indian Armed Forces for a fixed four-year tenure under the government’s Agnipath scheme.
The selection of 712 personnel represents about 25 per cent of the batch, in line with the existing Agnipath framework, under which up to 25 per cent of each batch can be absorbed into the regular cadre of the armed forces. Selection is based on prescribed criteria, including performance during the engagement period and organisational requirements, officials said.
Those not selected for regular service will complete their four-year tenure and transition to civilian life. The government has introduced employment and skill-recognition measures to support their transition to other careers.
The completion of the first four-year engagement cycle comes as the three services review the Agnipath scheme. Senior Indian Air Force officials told India Today TV that the service had submitted recommendations on the scheme based on its experience of implementing it.
A senior Defence Ministry official also confirmed that the Army, Navy and Air Force had submitted their respective suggestions to the Department of Military Affairs.
The recommendations draw on the services’ experience of recruitment, training and personnel management under the scheme since its introduction in 2022. A consolidated report incorporating the services’ inputs has been forwarded to the competent authority for consideration.
The details of the recommendations have not been made public. Their submission comes as the armed forces begin managing the first large-scale transition of Agniveers completing their fixed-term engagement.
Officials said the recommendations should not be interpreted as approved changes to the scheme. Any changes to the existing policy would depend on a decision by the competent authority.
### Employment measures for ex-Agniveers
For personnel leaving the armed forces after four years, the government has introduced employment-related measures aimed at facilitating their transition to civilian jobs.
In July 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that 50 per cent of vacancies for Constable (General Duty) and Rifleman posts in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles would be reserved for ex-Agniveers.
The revised provisions also include a three-year relaxation in the prescribed upper age limit, with an additional five-year relaxation for the first batch.
The government has also provided exemptions from the Physical Standards Test, Physical Efficiency Test and written examination for eligible ex-Agniveer candidates under the announced provisions.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up a dedicated ex-Agniveer wing to coordinate employment opportunities and provide a structured pathway into the central security forces.
Separately, the Ministry of Defence had approved a 10 per cent reservation for eligible Agniveers in specified vacancies in the Indian Coast Guard, defence civilian posts and 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings. These provisions are separate from the Ministry of Home Affairs’ recruitment framework for the CAPFs and Assam Rifles.
State governments have also begun announcing employment measures for Agniveers returning to civilian life.
Haryana has moved towards implementing horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers domiciled in the state. It has also directed departments and public-sector bodies to identify vacancies available under the relevant recruitment quotas.
Chhattisgarh has announced a 10 per cent reservation in direct recruitment for eligible former Agniveers in police constable posts, forest guard positions in the Forest Department and warden posts in the Jail Department.
Assam approved a 12 per cent reservation for state-domiciled ex-Agniveers in police and allied-force recruitment in October 2026.
The scope, percentage and implementation of these benefits vary by state and recruitment category. Candidates must meet the applicable eligibility conditions and comply with the relevant recruitment rules.
Introduced in 2022, the Agnipath scheme provides for four years of service, including training, with up to 25 per cent of each batch eligible for absorption into the regular cadre.
Those who leave the armed forces receive the Seva Nidhi package and can pursue opportunities in government services, security forces, defence-related public-sector enterprises and the private sector, subject to the relevant rules and qualifications.
With the first cohort approaching the end of its engagement period, the Indian Air Force’s retention and exit process is nearing completion. Meanwhile, the armed forces’ recommendations on the Agnipath scheme await consideration by the competent authority.
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