The Indian Army is poised to address a growing manpower shortage, which currently stands at nearly 180,000 soldiers. In a significant shift, the Army plans to boost its annual recruitment of Agniveers to approximately 100,000, a marked increase from the existing 45,000 to 50,000.
This manpower deficit has been exacerbated by the recruitment pauses during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, during which all soldier recruitments were halted. Meanwhile, the Army experienced a steady outflow of 60,000 to 65,000 personnel due to retirements each year. This gap became more pronounced following the introduction of the Agnipath recruitment scheme in June 2022.
Initially, the Agnipath scheme aimed to fill 46,000 Agniveer positions across the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, with the Army allocated 40,000 vacancies. The program outlined a gradual increase to a target of 175,000 Agniveers for the Army over four years, including similar escalations for the Navy and Air Force.
Despite the resumption of recruitment efforts in 2022, the annual retirements continued at a consistent rate, resulting in a net deficit of 20,000 to 25,000 soldiers each year. Moreover, as the first cohort of Agniveers completes their four-year service by late 2026, the shortage is projected to worsen unless recruitment figures are substantially increased.
Sources indicate that the Army is set to announce approximately 100,000 Agniveer vacancies annually, beginning this year. This figure will be adjusted to align with the capabilities of regimental training centers, ensuring that quality and training standards are maintained.
In a statement to The Indian Express, the Army confirmed that the goal is to recruit a total of 175,000 Agniveers by the end of 2025, with future vacancies strategically planned to meet force requirements and rectify prevailing deficiencies.
The impending retirements of both pre-Agnipath regular soldiers and Agniveers in the coming years make this increased intake crucial for restoring operational strength and stabilizing troop numbers.
This recruitment strategy represents one of the most significant recalibrations since the initiation of the Agnipath scheme, reflecting the Army’s commitment to ensuring operational readiness and organizational stability in response to growing manpower challenges.
