Boon or bane? 72% Agniveers report job stress, 52% worried about future opportunities in MSU survey

Debate over the benefits and drawbacks of the Indian  government’s Agnipath recruitment scheme for the armed forces continues, and now, new research has thrown light on how Agniveers themselves view the system.

A survey conducted by MS University’s Faculty of Social Work student Manish Jangid, under the guidance of Dr Sharmishtha Solanki, surveyed 50 Agniveers selected from across India. The findings reveal a concerning picture of job-related stress and uncertainty about the future.

According to the study, 72% of Agniveers experienced job stress, while 52% were anxious about employment opportunities after completing their four-year service tenure. Under the Agnipath scheme, candidates serve in the armed forces for four years, after which only 25% are selected for permanent service, while the rest are discharged.

The student explained that the purpose of the study was to understand how Agniveers can be better supported during and after their service period — both in terms of mental health and career security.

60% expressed negative opinions

The research found that 60% of participants shared negative views about the Agnipath scheme. While 54% expressed a desire to continue in long-term service after four years, 26% showed little interest or confidence in being selected for permanent roles. Regarding training quality, 38% were satisfied, 40% dissatisfied, and 22% remained neutral.

Job satisfaction and short tenure

When asked about job stress, 48% described it as moderate, 26% as high, while 12% said they experienced no stress.

About mental health support, 74% said they were satisfied, 22% dissatisfied, and 4% expressed strong dissatisfaction.

However, the most striking finding was that 72% of respondents believed the limited four-year tenure negatively affected their job satisfaction.

As for future prospects, 46% said they were worried about post-service job opportunities, 8% expressed strong concern, while 34% remained optimistic about finding employment after completing their tenure.