Is Agnipath only for men?

No. Women are also eligible for Agnipath recruitment in all three services. The Indian Air Force and Navy have already recruited women Agniveers. The Indian Army has opened most categories to women as well. Physical standards for women are different from men.

What if I'm not selected for permanent service after 4 years?

You receive approximately ₹11.71 lakh Seva Nidhi (tax-free), a service certificate, skill certification, and priority in CAPF/police recruitment. Many states have announced 10% reservation for Agniveers in state government jobs. Private sector companies have also committed to hiring ex-Agniveers.

Can I prepare for competitive exams during 4-year service?

Yes. Agniveers get study leave and access to education facilities. Many Agniveers prepare for NDA, CDS, CAPF, SSC, and state PSC exams during service. The military training and discipline actually help in exam preparation.

Is there any age relaxation for Agniveers in government exams?

Yes. The government has announced age relaxation of 3 years (beyond the normal limit) for Agniveers appearing in central government recruitment exams (CAPF, SSC, Railways, etc.). Some states have announced additional relaxations.

What happens to the Seva Nidhi if the Agniveer is martyred during service?

If an Agniveer dies during service, the family receives: ₹48 lakh insurance payout + full Seva Nidhi corpus + ex-gratia compensation as applicable to armed forces personnel. The family is also eligible for dependent benefits.

Do Agniveers get pension?

No. Agniveers who complete 4 years and are released do not get pension. Only those selected for permanent enrollment (25%) get pension after completing 15+ years of total service. However, the Seva Nidhi amount (₹11.71 lakh) is meant to provide a financial cushion for released Agniveers.

Active SchemeUpdated: March 2026

🎖️

Agnipath Scheme

4-year military service opportunity in Indian Armed Forces with ₹30,000-40,000 monthly salary and ₹11.71 lakh tax-free Seva Nidhi on completion

Service Period

4 Years

Monthly Salary

₹30K–40K

Seva Nidhi

₹11.71 Lakh

Retention

25% permanent

📝Apply at joinindianarmy.nic.in 📞Army Helpline

📖What is Agnipath Scheme?

The Agnipath Scheme is a military recruitment program launched on 14 June 2022 for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Under this scheme, young Indians (called 'Agniveers') are recruited for a 4-year service period. After 4 years, 25% of Agniveers are selected for permanent enrollment (15-year service), while the remaining 75% are released with a tax-free Seva Nidhi (service fund) of approximately ₹11.71 lakh.

Agniveers receive an attractive salary package: ₹30,000/month in the first year, increasing to ₹40,000/month in the fourth year. Of this, 30% is contributed to the Seva Nidhi corpus, with the government matching it equally. The total Seva Nidhi (including government contribution and interest) works out to approximately ₹11.71 lakh — paid as a lump sum upon completion of 4 years.

The scheme was introduced to reduce the average age of armed forces personnel (currently 32) to about 26, making the military younger and fitter. It also provides military training, discipline, and skills to a large number of youth — even those who don't continue in the forces benefit from the experience, skills certification, and Seva Nidhi corpus.

Agniveers are eligible for all allowances and benefits during service, including risk and hardship allowances, ration, clothing, medical facilities, and leave. They are also covered by ₹48 lakh non-contributory life insurance during the 4-year service. After release, they get priority in recruitment for CAPFs (BSF, CRPF, CISF, etc.), state police, and other government sectors.

✅Eligibility

Age17.5 to 23 years (relaxed to 23 from initial 21 for early batches)

Education (Army)10th pass for General Duty, 12th pass (Science) for Technical, 12th pass for Clerk/SKT

Education (Navy)12th pass with Maths & Physics for SSR, 10th pass for MR

Education (Air Force)12th pass with Maths & Physics, minimum 50% in aggregate and 50% in English

Physical standardsHeight: 170 cm (men), 152 cm (women). Weight proportionate to height. Vision: 6/6 without glasses (varies by trade)

CitizenshipIndian citizen. Must not be married at the time of enrollment (can marry during 4-year service with permission)

MedicalMust pass military medical examination — no chronic diseases, bone deformities, or disqualifying conditions

💰Salary and Benefits During 4-Year Service

Year	Monthly Salary	Seva Nidhi Contribution (30%)	In-Hand Salary (70%)
Year 1	₹30,000	₹9,000	₹21,000
Year 2	₹33,000	₹9,900	₹23,100
Year 3	₹36,500	₹10,950	₹25,550
Year 4	₹40,000	₹12,000	₹28,000

🔄What Happens After 4 Years?

Scenario 1 — Selected for permanent service (25%): After 4 years, up to 25% of Agniveers are selected for permanent enrollment in the regular armed forces based on merit, performance, and organizational requirements. These Agniveers continue for a minimum total service of 15 years with full military pay, pension, and benefits. The selection criteria include performance during service, medical fitness, and vacancies.

Scenario 2 — Released with Seva Nidhi (75%): The remaining Agniveers complete their 4-year term and receive the Seva Nidhi package. Total Seva Nidhi = Agniveer's contribution (₹5.02 lakh over 4 years) + Government's matching contribution (₹5.02 lakh) + Accrued interest ≈ ₹11.71 lakh (tax-free). This amount helps them start a business, pursue higher education, or transition to civilian employment.

After release, Agniveers receive: A certificate of service recognized across industries, priority in CAPF (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) and state police recruitment (10% reservation in many states), skill certification for the trade they served in, access to bank loans at preferential rates, preference in government scheme benefits for self-employment (Mudra, Stand Up India, etc.).

📝Selection Process

Online registration

Register at joinindianarmy.nic.in (Army), joinindiannavy.gov.in (Navy), or agnipathvayu.cdac.in (Air Force). Fill personal details, educational qualifications, and physical measurements.

Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

Conducted at designated rally points. Tests include: 1.6 km run (within 5 min 30 sec for Army), pull-ups, balance test, and other physical standards. This is an elimination round — most candidates are screened out here.

Medical examination

Thorough medical checkup including vision, hearing, dental, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal assessment. Any chronic condition or physical disability leads to rejection.

Written examination (CEE)

Common Entrance Examination — covers general knowledge, mathematics, reasoning, and English. The exam pattern varies by service (Army, Navy, Air Force) and trade. Merit list is prepared based on CEE score.

Document verification and enrollment

Selected candidates submit original documents for verification. After successful verification, enrollment is confirmed and training begins at respective training establishments (Army: various regimental centers, Navy: INS Chilka, Air Force: Air Force Training Establishments).

📝How to Apply

Army: joinindianarmy.nic.in, Navy: joinindiannavy.gov.in, Air Force: agnipathvayu.cdac.in

Watch for rally/recruitment notifications

Notifications are published on the portals and in Employment News. Rallies are held at district/zonal level.

Appear for Physical Fitness Test at rally point

Carry all original documents, 10 passport photos, running shoes, and sports clothing.

Clear medical + written exam + document verification

Merit-based selection. Final enrollment in the Indian Armed Forces as an Agniveer.

⚠️Agnipath recruitment notifications are published periodically — not continuously open. Keep checking the official portals regularly. Beware of fraudsters claiming to arrange selection for money — all recruitment is through official portals only.