The Agnipath scheme, designed to reform India’s military recruitment by hiring young soldiers on short-term contracts, has seen substantial changes in its budget allocations over recent years.

Budget allocation overview

2022-2023: The initial allocation was Rs159.59 crore. This modest amount supported the early stages of the scheme’s implementation.

2023-2024: The budget increased significantly to Rs3,800.00 crore, aimed at expanding recruitment, enhancing infrastructure and supporting the scheme’s broader rollout.

2024-2025: The allocation further grew to Rs5,207.28 crore reflecting the scheme’s evolving role and continued investment in integrating Agniveers into the defence framework.

Incremental growth

The budget for Agniveers has demonstrated notable growth from Rs159.59 crore in 2022-2023 to Rs5,207.28 crore in 2024-2025. This increase highlights the scheme’s expanding role within the Indian defence forces and aligns with its objectives of modernising recruitment and optimising force composition.

Implementation and expansion

The initial budget focused on foundational aspects while the subsequent increases were critical for scaling up recruitment and infrastructure. The rising allocations underscore a strategic investment in expanding the scheme’s reach and effectiveness.

Strategic investment

The increasing budget reflects a commitment to the scheme’s success and long-term sustainability. The allocation for 2024-2025 demonstrates an ongoing effort to address initial challenges, support new recruits and integrate Agniveers into the armed forces.

Impact and future prospects

The significant budget increases suggest a positive evaluation of the scheme’s impact with continued investments likely aimed at refining recruitment processes, improving training and ensuring successful integration of Agniveers into operational roles.

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Agnipath’s budget boom: From Rs159.59 cr to Rs5,207.28 cr in three years