An Agniveer passing-out parade in the Sikh Regimental Centre, Ramgarh, Jharkhand. (File photo)
Chandigarh: In a notable move to honour the sacrifices of Agniveers, the Haryana government has approved an ex-gratia grant of ₹1 crore to the families of Agniveers who lose their lives in combat operations. This decision, taken during a state cabinet meeting chaired by the chief minister, Nayab Singh Saini, aligns the benefits for Agniveers with those provided to regular defence and paramilitary personnel.
The Agnipath scheme, launched by the central government in 2022, recruits young individuals as Agniveers for a four-year tenure in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force. Since its inception, Haryana has seen substantial participation, with 1,830 Agniveers selected in 2022–23, 2,215 in 2023–24, and 2,108 in the current year. The first batch is expected to complete their service in 2026–27.
Enhanced Support for Agniveers
Beyond the ex-gratia grant, the Haryana cabinet has approved several measures to support Agniveers:
Increased Reservation in Police Recruitment – The reservation quota for Agniveers in police recruitment has been doubled from 10% to 20%, enhancing their post-service employment opportunities.
Financial Assistance and Employment for Martyrs’ Families – The cabinet sanctioned ₹50 lakh and a government job for an eligible family member of Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025.
Residential Allotment for Martyrs’ Families – A 200-square-yard plot in Faridabad’s Atali village has been allotted to Geeta, widow of Naik Sandeep, who fell during an anti-terrorist operation in Pulwama in February 2019.
Broader Welfare Initiatives
In addition to measures for Agniveers, the Haryana government has launched other welfare initiatives:
Haryana AI Development Project (HAIDP) – With an outlay of ₹474.39 crore, this three-year project (2025-2028) aims to establish critical infrastructure like the Global Artificial Intelligence Centre in Gurugram and the Haryana Advanced Computing Facility in Panchkula, with support from the World Bank.
Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana – This cultural welfare scheme provides monthly honorariums to artists based on their annual income, promoting cultural preservation and support for the arts.
The Haryana government’s decision to provide ₹1 crore ex-gratia to the families of Agniveers killed in combat operations aligns their benefits somewhat with those of regular defence personnel. Also, by introducing supportive measures, the state aims to provide comprehensive support to Agniveers and their families.
