Armed forces may up retention of Agniveers after their key role in Op Sindoor

Amid Operation Sindoor, there have been increasing efforts to induct a range of new generation military platforms, equipment and modern technologies.

Following Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces have been holding discussions about the retention of Agniveers, according to Indian Express.

The decision will be reportedly taken after considering the requirement for an ideal ratio between technically proficient and trained manpower and a reduced age profile of soldiers in Army.

Since its introduction in 2022, the services have been periodically reviewing the scheme. It involves recruiting youth in the 17.5-21 age bracket as soldiers for four years.

There have been discussions between the services and the Department of Military Affairs on possible tweaks, but no major changes have not been approved yet.

The first batch of Agniveers will complete their four years by 2026-end. According to the IE report, a decision on making changes to the scheme is likely to take place around that time. As per the guidelines, at the end of the four-year tenure, up to 25% of the Agniveers can join the services. It is subject to merit and organisational requirements.

The IE report stated that there are discussions to increase the retention percentage of Agniveers to 70-75 per cent for infantry and other combat arms, 80 per cent for specially trained personnel such as Air Defence, Signals and Engineers among others, and 100 per cent for Special Forces.

The Special Forces get selected during their probation period. However, according to sources, the proposed increase in retention will be done while ensuring that the average age of Agniveers does not see a huge jump.

According to sources, these percentages will be further deliberated upon at the next Army Commanders Conference.

Amid Operation Sindoor, there have been increasing efforts to induct a range of new generation military platforms, equipment and modern technologies. The IE report stated that discussions stem from the requirement of a bigger manpower trained to use them. In the Army, most of such specialised training is done after Agniveers join their respective units after the initial six months of training.

“Assuming that the selection of trainees is carried out within the first six months of joining a unit and subsequent specialist training takes another three to six months, the bulk of Agniveers would only be available for another two to two-and-a-half years as per the current scheme,” an official told IE.

According to the official, this makes the cost of training unviable. “As the specialists move out every four years, a larger number of people would be required to be trained in every cycle. This will increase the burden on the organisation and also make it difficult to find adequate instructors from a limited pool of the retained manpower,” he said.

However, it is not known whether the Navy and the Indian Air Force will also propose to increase retention.

Sources in the Navy told IE that it is also open to the idea of increasing the retention percentage of sailors when the first batch completes four years.

Around 3,000 Agniveers played a key role during Operation Sindoor. Recruited in the last two years, these young soldiers braved enemy bullets by manning critical weapons and systems integral to the Army's hardy air defence (AD) shield.