Agniveer Agnipath Yojana Full Details On Salary, Tenure & Benefits
The Agniveer Agnipath Yojana is a landmark defence recruitment scheme introduced by the Government of India to induct young and energetic individuals into the Indian Armed Forces for a fixed-term service. Under this scheme, selected candidates are known as Agniveers and serve in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force for a period of four years.
What is Agniveer Agnipath Yojana?
The Agnipath Yojana is a recruitment model under which young candidates are enrolled as Agniveers in the Armed Forces for a short-term period of service. Instead of lifelong recruitment, this system allows defence forces to induct fresh youth regularly while reducing long-term pension and manpower burden. Only the top-performing Agniveers are retained for permanent service.
An Agniveer can serve in:
Indian Army
Indian Navy
Indian Air Force
Agniveer Salary & Seva Nidhi Package
Agniveers receive a customized monthly salary package along with a dedicated corpus fund called Seva Nidhi, which is paid as a lump sum after the successful completion of their service tenure under the Agnipath Yojana. This pay structure is designed to provide both regular income during service and a financially secure exit benefit.
Seva Nidhi After 4 Years
₹10.04 lakh excluding interest
Approximately ₹11.71 lakh including interest
Completely tax-free
Important notes:
No Provident Fund contribution required
No gratuity
No pension entitlement
| Year | Monthly Pay | In-Hand (70%) | Agniveer Fund (30%) | Govt Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Year | ₹30,000 | ₹21,000 | ₹9,000 | ₹9,000 |
| 2nd Year | ₹33,000 | ₹23,100 | ₹9,900 | ₹9,900 |
| 3rd Year | ₹36,500 | ₹25,550 | ₹10,950 | ₹10,950 |
| 4th Year | ₹40,000 | ₹28,000 | ₹12,000 | ₹12,000 |
Objectives Why Agniveer Recruitment Was Introduced
The main objective of the Agnipath Scheme for Agniveer recruitment is to modernize India’s defence manpower by building a younger, fitter and more capable Armed Forces while also creating long-term value for society.
Create a youthful and dynamic armed force
Reduce the average age of soldiers
Enhance operational readiness and combat efficiency
Build a skilled and disciplined workforce for society
Lower long-term defence pension expenditure
How Long is Agniveer Tenure Under Agnipath Yojana?
The duration of service for an Agniveer under the Agnipath Yojana is four (04) years, including the training period, making it a clearly defined short-term military engagement.
Training is part of the 4-year tenure
There is no extra service period beyond this
After 4 years, Agniveers either exit or get absorbed permanently
Up to 25% of Agniveers are selected for permanent service based on merit, performance, and organizational requirements
Allowances & Additional Benefits for Agniveers
Apart from salary, Agniveers are also entitled to several allowances and additional benefits under the Agnipath Yojana, which enhance the overall value of service and ensure financial and professional support during and after tenure.
Risk and hardship allowance for difficult and field postings
Dress allowance for uniforms and maintenance
Travel allowance as per defence service rules
Skill certification on exit for future employment
National-level recognition for training received during service
Travel Benefits for Agniveers and Their Families
Agniveers are provided with travel benefits and concessions similar to regular defence personnel, helping them stay connected with their families and reducing their personal travel expenses during service.
Free Rail Travel on Annual Leave
Agniveers are entitled to free rail travel once every year when proceeding on annual leave, allowing them to visit their hometown without financial burden.
Travel Concessions on Other Occasions
Agniveers and their families are eligible for:
Rail travel concessions
Air travel concessions
as per existing government rules.
This helps reduce personal travel costs and strengthens family connectivity during service, making the Agniveer scheme more supportive and welfare-oriented.
Life Insurance Cover for Agniveers
Every Agniveer is provided with a high-value life insurance cover to ensure financial security for their family in case of any unfortunate event during service. This benefit is one of the strongest safety features of Agniveer recruitment.
₹48 lakh non-contributory life insurance cover
No premium paid by the Agniveer at any stage
Entirely funded by the Government of India
Uniform coverage across Army, Navy and Air Force
Pension Rules for Agniveers
Agniveers are not governed by traditional pension regulations that apply to permanent defence personnel, as their engagement is based on a short-term service model. Instead of pension, financial security for Agniveers is ensured through alternative structured benefits such as:
How Financial Security Is Provided
High life insurance coverage during the service period
Ex-gratia compensation in case of death or disability
Seva Nidhi exit package paid after completion of service
Categorisation of Death for Agniveer Compensation
For the purpose of financial benefits and compensation, the death of an Agniveer is officially classified into different categories based on the cause and circumstances. This structured classification ensures that families receive fair and appropriate compensation according to the nature of sacrifice.
Category X – Natural Causes (Not Attributable to Duty)
Death due to natural causes that are neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service.
Category Y – Attributable to Military Service
Death caused by incidents directly linked to service, such as:
Accidents on duty
Training mishaps
Causes accepted as attributable to service
Category Z – Operational or Violent Causes
Death occurring due to high-risk operational situations, including:
Terrorist attacks
Enemy action
War or border skirmishes
Peacekeeping operations
Natural calamities during operations
Compensation on Death of an Agniveer
In the unfortunate event of an Agniveer’s death during service, a well-defined compensation structure is in place to provide financial security to the family. The compensation depends on whether the death occurred on duty or not.
Death on Duty (Category Y or Z)
If death occurs during active duty or operational service, the Next of Kin (NOK) is entitled to:
₹48 lakh life insurance cover
₹44 lakh one-time ex-gratia compensation
Full pay for unserved period up to 4 years, including Seva Nidhi component
Entire Seva Nidhi fund, with government contribution and interest
Death Not on Duty (Category X)
If death occurs due to non-service-related causes, the NOK will receive:
₹48 lakh life insurance cover
Seva Nidhi corpus accumulated till date, including interest
Compensation for Disability of Agniveer
If an Agniveer suffers a service-related disability and is placed in the Permanent Low Medical Category (LMC), compensation is provided based on the percentage of disability and its attribution to military service. This ensures long-term financial protection for disabled Agniveers.
₹44 lakh for 100% disability
₹25 lakh for 75% disability
₹15 lakh for 50% disability
Full pay for unserved period
Full Seva Nidhi with interest
| Final Disability | Reckoned for Compensation |
|---|---|
| 20% – 49% | 50% |
| 50% – 75% | 75% |
| 76% – 100% | 100% |
Agniveer Eligibility Criteria (General)
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 17.5 to 21 years |
| Education | 10th / 12th pass (trade-wise) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Medical Fitness | Mandatory |
| Physical Standards | As per defence norms |
Roles of Agniveers in Armed Forces
Agniveers serve in a wide range of operational, technical and support roles across all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces. Their duties are similar to regular defence personnel, allowing them to gain real military experience and valuable professional skills during their service tenure.
| Armed Force | Major Roles / Trades |
|---|---|
| Indian Army | General Duty (GD), Technical, Clerk, Tradesman |
| Indian Navy | Agniveer SSR, Agniveer MR, Technical and Non-Technical Roles |
| Indian Air Force | Agniveervayu, Mechanical, Electrical, Administrative Trades |
Selection Process for Agniveer Recruitment
The selection process for Agniveer recruitment is designed to identify physically fit, mentally alert, and disciplined candidates for the Indian Armed Forces. The entire process is transparent and strictly merit-based.
Online Application
Written Examination
Physical Fitness Test
Medical Examination
Final Merit List
What Happens After 4 Years of Agniveer Service?
After completing four years of service as an Agniveer, candidates follow one of two clearly defined career paths based on performance, merit, and organizational requirements.
Permanent Absorption (Up to 25%)
Selected Agniveers are absorbed into the regular cadre of the Armed Forces and continue their defence career with full service benefits, including:
Regular pay scale
Promotions
Pension and retirement benefits
This is offered strictly on a merit and performance basis.
Exit with Benefits (75%)
Agniveers who exit after four years receive strong transition support, including:
Seva Nidhi lump sum amount
Skill certificates recognized nationally
Job preference in sectors such as:
CAPFs
State Police
PSUs
Corporate sector
Is Agniveer a Good Career Option? Pros and Cons Explained
For many aspirants, a key question is whether the Agniveer scheme is a good long-term career choice. The answer depends on individual goals, but the scheme offers a strong mix of defence exposure, financial security, and future career opportunities.
Advantages of Choosing Agniveer
Early defence exposure at a young age
Strong discipline and professional training
Attractive exit package through Seva Nidhi
High employability in government and private sectors
Pride of national service in the Armed Forces
Limitations of the Agniveer Scheme
No pension for most candidates exiting after 4 years
Short tenure compared to traditional defence careers
Highly competitive permanent absorption (only up to 25%)
Why Agniveer Agnipath Yojana Matters for India’s Youth
The Agniveer Agnipath Yojana represents a transformational shift in India’s defence recruitment system. While it does not guarantee lifelong military service for everyone, it delivers discipline, skills, financial security, and strong future career opportunities in a structured and transparent manner.
For young aspirants seeking a blend of patriotism, professional training, and career flexibility, Agniveer stands out as a powerful and future-ready opportunity.
FAQs Agniveer Agnipath Yojana
Q1. What is Agniveer scheme in India?
Ans: The Agniveer scheme is a short-term military recruitment system where youth serve in the Armed Forces for four years under the Agnipath Yojana.
Q2. What is the Agniveer salary after 4 years?
Ans: After four years, Agniveers receive around ₹10.04 lakh excluding interest and approximately ₹11.71 lakh including interest as Seva Nidhi.
Q3. Is Agniveer a permanent job in the Army?
Ans: No, only up to 25% of Agniveers are selected for permanent service based on merit and performance.
Q4. What is the age limit for Agniveer recruitment?
Ans: The general age limit for Agniveer recruitment is 17.5 to 21 years, subject to official notification.
Q5. Do Agniveers get pension after service?
Ans: No, Agniveers exiting after four years are not entitled to pension but receive Seva Nidhi and other benefits.
Q6. Can girls apply for Agniveer recruitment?
Ans: Yes, female candidates are eligible to apply for Agniveer posts as per force-wise notifications.