Army mulls increasing Agniveer intake to 100k

NEW DELHI: The army is examining a proposal to double the intake of Agniveers in its ranks — from the current 50,000 to 100,000 a year — with the move aimed at addressing shortage of soldiers in the PBOR (personnel below officer rank) cadre, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday.

- HT Correspondent

The army has a shortfall of around 180,000 soldiers, largely due to a freeze on legacy recruitment during the Covid years 2020-21, the officials said, asking not to be named. While recruitment was stopped then, around 60,000 soldiers retired every year during that period.