Sai Welcomes Two-Year Second Tour of Duty for Agniveers

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who welcomed the Union Cabinet’s decision on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, to offer Agniveers an optional two-year second tour of duty. File photo.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the Union Cabinet’s decision would help the armed forces retain trained personnel and give young recruits another opportunity to enter regular military service.

Key Highlights

• Agniveers who are not selected for regular service after their initial four-year term will be offered an optional two-year extension.
• Those who complete the second tour can be considered for regular enrolment, subject to the prescribed selection criteria.
• Sai thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the decision would boost the morale of young people committed to serving in the armed forces.

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, welcomed the Union Cabinet’s decision to offer Agniveers an optional two-year ‘Second Tour of Duty’ after their initial four-year term. He said the additional tenure would allow the armed forces to draw on the experience and skills recruits had gained during their first term.

“This decision will make better use of the experience, skills and capabilities of Agniveers in the national interest and give young people new opportunities to progress in military service,” Sai said.

Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani announced the decision on Wednesday November 4, 2026 . Under the revised arrangement, the merit-based route through which 25 per cent of Agniveers are retained in the regular forces after four years continues. Those who are not retained at that stage will be offered the option to serve for two more years. After completing the extended term, those who wish to join the regular forces will be considered against the prescribed selection criteria.

Sai thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the decision and said it would help the armed forces retain the skills of trained personnel while giving Agniveers more time to build on their military experience.