Indian Army Considering Annual Recruitment of One Lakh Agniveers?

Reports in national media suggest that the Indian Army is planning to recruit nearly 1 lakh Agniveers every year, significantly increasing the current intake capacity. At present, the Army inducts 45,000 to 50,000 Agniveers annually, but the proposed expansion aims to strengthen overall force levels.

Why Is Recruitment Being Increased?

Sources indicate that the Army has been experiencing a manpower gap, mainly due to:

• Recruitment freeze during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–21)

In 2022, the government introduced the Agnipath scheme, under which 46,000 vacancies were announced across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. However, official records from 2023 revealed that around 1.55 lakh posts were still vacant across the three services.

Vacancies Still Rising

With ongoing retirements and fewer recruitments, the total number of vacancies is estimated to have touched 1.8 lakh posts in 2024.

The first batch of Agniveers recruited in 2022 will complete their four-year tenure next year, which adds further urgency to filling the manpower gap.

In this context, the Indian Army is now reportedly preparing to double its annual Agniveer intake to 1 lakh, ensuring adequate operational strength.