What is the common examiner trap about Security & Defence in UPSC exams?

Examiners may swap the retention percentages among services (e.g., claim Navy seeks 50% and Army 75%) or confuse the current cap (25%) with the proposed increases. Also, note that the retention percentage may vary by unit even if the overall cap remains unchanged.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Security & Defence for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Current retention cap is 25% for all three services; Navy seeks ~75%, Army and IAF ~50%. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Department of Military Affairs (DMA) is the approving authority for retention percentage changes. 3. Target this Shortfall: Army faces a shortage of 1.8 lakh troops, to be met by increasing Agniveer vacancies.

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News 18 of 26

Agnipath Scheme: Forces Seek Higher Retention (Navy 75%, Army/IAF 50%) as First Batch Nears Completion

Q: Which department is responsible for approving changes in the retention percentage of Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme?

Department of Military Affairs (DMA), The article states that the retention percentage is likely to be discussed between the services and the Department of Military Affairs (DMA). The DMA, under the Ministry of Defence, handles inter-service policy matters.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Agnipath scheme: 1. The current approved retention percentage of Agniveers is 25% for each of the three services. 2. The Navy is seeking a retention percentage of around 50% for its Agniveers. 3. The Army plans to release around 90,000 Agniveer vacancies in the next training year to address the troop shortfall. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: the current retention cap is 25% for all services. Statement 2 is incorrect: the Navy is seeking around 75%, not 50%. Statement 3 is correct: the Army plans to increase vacancies to 90,000 next year to fill the 1.8 lakh shortfall.

Q: According to the article, what is the estimated troop shortfall in the Army that the Agnipath scheme aims to address?

1.8 lakh, The article explicitly mentions that the Army plans to make up for a shortfall of around 1.8 lakh troops by increasing Agniveer vacancies over the next two years.

Q: What is the primary reason cited by the Armed Forces for seeking a higher retention percentage of Agniveers?

To retain trained and experienced personnel who have handled new technologies, The article states that the need for more retention is driven by the requirement of a larger pool of trained and experienced soldiers who have participated in operations and are experienced in handling new technologies and weapons.

Security & Defence PolityCORE

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

05 Jul 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:25% retentionNavy ~75%Army/IAF ~50%70,000 Agniveers90,000 vacancies1.8 lakh shortfall

Bodies:Department of Military Affairs (DMA)ArmyNavyIndian Air Force

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Current retention cap is 25% for each service; Navy may seek 75%, Army and IAF around 50%.

2.First Agniveer batches complete tenure later this year; selected volunteers will be re-enrolled as regular soldiers.

3.Army plans to increase Agniveer vacancies to 90,000 next year to fill a shortfall of 1.8 lakh troops.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Armed Forces are pushing to retain a higher percentage of Agniveers beyond the current 25% as the first batch of recruits completes its four-year tenure. Navy seeks ~75% retention, while Army and IAF aim for ~50%, driven by the need to address a troop shortfall of 1.8 lakh and retain experienced personnel trained in modern technology.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Current Retention Cap25% per service

Navy Proposed Retention~75%

Army/IAF Proposed Retention~50%

Army Agniveers in Training (last year)~70,000

Army Vacancies Next Year~90,000

Troop Shortfall in Army1.8 lakh

1-Minute Revision

›Current Retention Cap: 25% per service
›Navy Proposed Retention: ~75%
›Target this Data: Current retention cap is 25% for all three services; Navy seeks ~75%, Army and IAF ~50%.
›Target this Nodal Body: Department of Military Affairs (DMA) is the approving authority for retention percentage changes.
›Target this Shortfall: Army faces a shortage of 1.8 lakh troops, to be met by increasing Agniveer vacancies.

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News Snapshot

🔄

Retention Revision Sought

Forces want to retain more Agniveers beyond the 25% cap to leverage their experience and fill critical vacancies.

📊

Massive Training Scale

Army alone trained 70,000 Agniveers last year and plans 90,000 vacancies next year to address the 1.8 lakh shortfall.

🛡️

Specialised Units May Get More Retained

Units like the Bhairav battalions could induct a higher proportion of retained Agniveers, even if overall retention stays at 25%.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Agnipath scheme, launched in 2022, introduced a four-year tenure for soldiers, sailors, and airmen with only 25% retention as regulars. The first batch recruited in early 2023 will complete its tenure later this year. The armed forces now argue that retaining a larger share is essential to maintain operational readiness and leverage the experience gained in handling new technologies.

Core Analysis & Implications

The Navy's push for 75% retention reflects its need for specialised technical sailors, while Army and IAF seek 50% to address the 1.8 lakh troop shortfall. The current 25% cap is seen as insufficient to build a stable career progression and retain trained manpower. Any increase would require approval from the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The services are likely to discuss retention percentages with the DMA. Even if the overall cap remains 25%, specialised units like the Army's newly raised Bhairav battalions may absorb a higher proportion of retained Agniveers. The Army's progressive increase in Agniveer vacancies (from 70,000 to 90,000) indicates a long-term reliance on the scheme to fill the shortfall.

Key Facts at a Glance

Current Retention Cap25% per service

Navy Proposed Retention~75%

Army/IAF Proposed Retention~50%

Army Agniveers in Training (last year)~70,000

Army Vacancies Next Year~90,000

Troop Shortfall in Army1.8 lakh

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which department is responsible for approving changes in the retention percentage of Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Agnipath scheme:

1. The current approved retention percentage of Agniveers is 25% for each of the three services.

2. The Navy is seeking a retention percentage of around 50% for its Agniveers.

3. The Army plans to release around 90,000 Agniveer vacancies in the next training year to address the troop shortfall.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

According to the article, what is the estimated troop shortfall in the Army that the Agnipath scheme aims to address?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the primary reason cited by the Armed Forces for seeking a higher retention percentage of Agniveers?

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Agnipath Scheme: Forces Seek Higher Retention (Navy 75%, Army/IAF 50%) as First Batch Nears Completion

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Retention Revision Sought

Massive Training Scale

Specialised Units May Get More Retained

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance