Maharashtra Forms Study Group to Support Agniveer Rehabilitation

Maharashtra Forms Study Group to Support Agniveer Rehabilitation

Why in News? 

Recently, the Maharashtra government formed a study group led by Colonel (Retd) Deepak Thonge to recommend rehabilitation measures for Agniveers completing their four-year military tenure this year. This initiative reflects the state’s commitment to ensuring smooth post-service transition, empowering trained youth with meaningful opportunities.

Maharashtra Government’s New Study Group on Agniveer Rehabilitation

• Announcement: The Maharashtra government has formed a specialised study group to address the rehabilitation needs of Agniveers who will complete their four-year service under the Agnipath Scheme in 2026. The establishment of the study group was officially announced in January 2026 by the State General Administration Department. It is a first-of-its-kind initiative by a state government in India to directly focus on transition support for Agniveers.

• Need: After the four years, up to 25 percent of them may be retained in regular service, while the remaining 75 percent are released and need future opportunities. The first batch of 2,839 Agniveers from Maharashtra will complete their four-year tenure during October-November 2026.

• Objectives: The study group has three main objectives:

• • • To identify employment opportunities for retiring Agniveers across government and semi-government departments including police, forest services, fire services, and state reserve police.
    • To explore pathways into the private sector where the military training and discipline of Agniveers can offer value, such as in security, logistics, aviation support, and technical fields.
    • To recommend training programmes and financial assistance that will help Agniveers start self-employment ventures or small businesses after service.

• Composition: The rehabilitation study group consists of senior retired defence personnel and welfare officials. The panel is led by Colonel (Retired) Deepak Thonge, an experienced officer who also serves as director of the Sainik Welfare Department.

• Other members include distinguished former officers such as Squadron Leader (Retired) Vidyasagar Korde, Major (Retired) Saeeda Firasat, Lieutenant General (Retired) R R Nimbhorkar, Air Marshal (Retired) Nitin Shankar Vaidya, and Rear Admiral (Retired) Ashish Kulkarni. Lt Commander (Retired) Omkar Kaple serves as the member-secretary.

• Timeline: The Maharashtra government has given the panel a strict three-month deadline to submit its recommendations. This means the group is expected to deliver its report by April 2026. 

What is the Agnipath Scheme?

• About: The Agnipath scheme is a short-term military recruitment model that the Government of India introduced on 14 June 2022. The scheme allows the armed forces to bring in young candidates for limited engagement.  The introduction marked a major reform in the recruitment process of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force.

• Purpose: The objective is to reduce the average age of soldiers from about 32 years to approximately 26 years over a span of several years. The scheme aims to bring in around 45,000 to 50,000 recruits every year to create a large pool of disciplined and skilled young citizens who can later contribute to society and the economy.

• Eligibility: The scheme invites applicants between 17.5 years and 21 years for recruitment. The government provided a one-time age relaxation up to 23 years for the first batch in 2022. Candidates must meet standard medical and physical fitness levels.

• Service Duration: The Agniveers serve for four years under this model. The period includes military training and active duty. The training phase lasts for about six months, depending on the force. Only 25 percent of each batch may be selected for permanent regular service, typically for another 15 years after the initial four years. 

• Financial Benefits: They receive a growing monthly package (₹30k-₹40k), plus allowances, with 30% going into a corpus fund (matched by the govt) for a tax-free “Seva Nidhi” payout of around ₹10.04 lakhs after four years, along with other perks like dress and travel allowances.

• • • Death on Duty: Family gets over ₹1 crore including life insurance, ex-gratia, Seva Nidhi package, and remaining salary.
    • Disability: Up to ₹44 lakh compensation for service-related disability, varying by severity.
    • No Pension (for most): Agniveers don’t get a regular pension; only 25% selected for permanent roles receive one.

• Role of Agniveers: Agniveers perform duties similar to regular soldiers. The recruitment is for all soldiers, airmen, and sailors below officer rank. Only the medical branch’s technical cadre remains exempt. They join combat roles, technical roles, and support roles based on their skills and training.

Challenges Ahead for Maharashtra’s Agniveer Rehabilitation Measures

• Legal Hurdle of Reservation Caps: Maharashtra’s plan to provide 10% horizontal reservation in state police and government departments faces a significant constitutional challenge. With existing quotas for various social categories already reaching the 50% legal ceiling, adding a dedicated “Agniveer” quota could lead to legal disputes or displace other meritorious candidates in the open category. 
• Integration into State Police Forces: The study group must address the disparity in training requirements for lateral entry into the Maharashtra State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and state police. While the Centre has waived physical tests for CAPF entry, the state must decide if 4-year military training sufficiently aligns with civilian law enforcement duties, such as crowd control and procedural law. 
• Bridging the Welfare Gap: Unlike regular retirees, Agniveers are not granted official Ex-Servicemen (ESM) status, excluding them from benefits like the ECHS (Health Scheme) and CSD canteens. The state must develop its own healthcare and social security safety nets to prevent “rehabilitated” soldiers from feeling abandoned compared to their regular counterparts. 
• Skill Certification and Job Mismatch: While the government promises “Skill Certificates,” there is a challenge in ensuring these are recognized by Maharashtra’s tech and industrial sectors (like in Pune and Mumbai) as equivalents to civilian degrees. The study group must work with the private sector to ensure these skills lead to stable career paths. 
• Fiscal Pressure on the State Exchequer: Guaranteeing “permanent” jobs for every existing Agniveer, as suggested in recent political promises, would create a long-term pension and salary burden on the state budget. Balancing this commitment with the existing fiscal deficit while maintaining regular recruitment cycles is a major administrative puzzle.