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Revamped Agnipath opens a window, casts a wider net

It could help both effectiveness and recruitment, and speak to the aspirations of the young

The announcement, just before the tenure of the first batch of recruits was due to end, comes after the three services themselves pushed for a higher retention rate for Agniveers.

3 min read Nov 6, 2026 06:00 AM IST First published on: Nov 6, 2026 at 06:00 AM IST

The changes to the Agnipath scheme for armed forces recruitment , cleared by the Union cabinet on Wednesday, expand its reach. Rolled out in 2022, the scheme envisaged a reduction in the age profile of the armed forces while making the permanent force levels leaner. This, in turn, was to help address an unstated concern: The forces’ hefty wage and pension bill.…