Pawan Khera says Agniveer extension reflects Centre's 'U-turn' out of fear of polls
Congress MP Pawan Khera has criticized the government's decision to extend the Agniveer service tenure by two years, labeling it a political 'U-turn' ahead of state elections. The opposition argues the scheme remains detrimental to both the armed forces and the long-term employment prospects of youth.
Why it matters
The Agniveer scheme is a major point of contention in Indian defense policy, reflecting broader debates on military recruitment and youth unemployment.
Jaipur (Rajasthan) Congress MP Pawan Khera on Wednesday (November 4, 2026) criticised the Centre's decision to extend the engagement period of Agniveers by two years, alleging that the move reflected a "U-turn" by the government ahead of Assembly elections in several States and questioning what would happen to the recruits after the extended tenure. https://www.thehindu.com/topic/indian-national-congress/ Agniveer service tenure extended by two years, CDS announces storyline 1 Reacting to the announcement by Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani, Mr. Khera said the Congress had opposed the Agnipath scheme from the beginning, arguing that it would adversely affect the armed forces as well as the future of young recruits."
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