How to become an Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme) in India
अग्निवीर (अग्निपथ योजना)
Serve in the Army, Navy or Air Force for four years under the Agnipath scheme, with a chance to be retained as a regular.
- Streams
- Any stream
- Time it takes
- 4-year engagement (including training)
- Key exams
- Agniveer recruitment
What you actually do
- Complete basic military training, then serve in your assigned trade
- Take part in unit duties, operations and exercises
- Build skills and fitness that help in later careers or regular enrolment
A day in the life
Physical training at dawn, drill and weapons practice, trade-specific duties during the day, and sports in the evening.
The path, step by step
- Class 9–10: fitness, running and basic studies (Class 10 is the minimum for some Army categories)about 2 yr
- Class 11–12: required for many trades (Air Force and Navy entries ask for specific subjects — see notice)about 2 yr
- Online common entrance exam, physical fitness test and medical, as per the service’s noticeabout 6 mo
- Basic and trade training at the service’s training centreabout 6 mo
- Serve as an Agniveer for 4 years; a share may be selected for regular service as per scheme rulesabout 4 yr
Entrance and recruitment exams
| Exam | Conducted by | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Agniveer recruitment (Agnipath scheme) | Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force | As notified, usually once a year per service |
Exam dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle. Always read the latest notice on the official website before you apply.
Cost and pay
Government / public route
No tuition — training is government-funded
Private route
Optional coaching for the written test and physical preparation
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Salary
Year-1 customised package is ₹30,000 per month, of which 30% is contributed to the Seva Nidhi corpus (matched by the government). See PIB and the official recruitment sites for the full package.
Skills that matter
Is this for me?
Good fit if…
- You want to serve in uniform soon after school
- You enjoy physical challenge
- You like structured routines
Maybe not, if…
- You want a guaranteed long-term job from day one
- You dislike strict discipline
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Common questions
How do I become an Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme) in India?
1. Class 9–10: fitness, running and basic studies (Class 10 is the minimum for some Army categories) 2. Class 11–12: required for many trades (Air Force and Navy entries ask for specific subjects — see notice) 3. Online common entrance exam, physical fitness test and medical, as per the service’s notice 4. Basic and trade training at the service’s training centre 5. Serve as an Agniveer for 4 years; a share may be selected for regular service as per scheme rules
Which entrance exams lead to a career as an Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme)?
Agniveer recruitment (Agnipath scheme) (Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force). Check each official website for current dates and eligibility.
Which stream should I choose after Class 10 to become an Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme)?
Any stream.
How long does it take to become an Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme)?
4-year engagement (including training)
How much does it cost to become an Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme)?
Government route: No tuition — training is government-funded. Private route: Optional coaching for the written test and physical preparation. Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
What is the salary of an Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme) in India?
Year-1 customised package is ₹30,000 per month, of which 30% is contributed to the Seva Nidhi corpus (matched by the government). See PIB and the official recruitment sites for the full package.
Sources and last check
We list every rate, limit and date this page relies on, where it comes from and when we last checked it. Rules change: please confirm on the official website before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme): path, eligibility and costsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Join Indian Army · Press Information Bureau · Ministry of Defence
- Entrance and recruitment examsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Frequency shown is typical; dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle.
Agniveer recruitment (Agnipath scheme) — Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force
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