Nepal Youths Demand Agniveer Recruitment, Prefer Indian Army Over Gulf Jobs

Nepali youths, joined by former Gorkha soldiers and family members, have taken to the streets in Pokhara demanding that Nepalese citizens be allowed to enlist in the Indian Army under the Agnipath recruitment scheme. The protests highlight growing interest among sections of Nepal's youth in resuming recruitment into the Indian Army, a practice that has historically been one of the strongest institutional links between India and Nepal. The demonstrations come against the backdrop of a recruitment freeze that has kept Nepali youths from joining the Indian Army since 2019.

Recruitment was initially halted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The process remained suspended after India introduced the Agnipath scheme in 2022, which fundamentally changed the terms under which soldiers are recruited into the armed forces. Under the Agnipath system, recruits known as Agniveers serve for four years. At the end of that period, up to 25 per cent of a batch can be retained for permanent service, while the remaining 75 per cent leave the armed forces with a one-time financial package. Those discharged after four years do not receive the pension and other long-term service benefits associated with permanent military service.

For many Nepali youths, recruitment into the Indian Army has traditionally been viewed as an attractive career opportunity. The protesters in Pokhara have argued that serving in the Indian Army offers better prospects than seeking employment in Gulf countries, where large numbers of Nepali workers have historically travelled in search of jobs. Their demand reflects concerns over employment opportunities and the desire among prospective recruits to revive a recruitment system that has benefited generations of Nepali families.

Also Read: Jammu And Kashmir Landmine Explosion Leaves Two Army Personnel Injured During Operation

However, the Nepalese government has opposed the resumption of recruitment under the Agnipath framework. Kathmandu has argued that the scheme is inconsistent with the provisions of the 1947 Tripartite Agreement involving India, Nepal and Britain. The agreement has historically governed the recruitment and service of Gurkha soldiers from Nepal in the British and Indian armies.

The suspension has therefore created uncertainty for prospective recruits as well as former Gorkha soldiers and their families. The issue is also sensitive because Gorkha recruitment has long played a significant role in India-Nepal relations, with thousands of Nepali citizens serving in the Indian Army over decades. Any change to the recruitment system has implications not only for employment but also for an established military tradition connecting the two countries.

The protests in Pokhara have brought the issue back into public focus, with young people pressing the Nepalese government to reconsider its position on Agniveer recruitment. Their demand comes as Nepal continues to grapple with limited domestic employment opportunities and substantial overseas migration for work. Whether recruitment resumes will depend on further discussions between Kathmandu and New Delhi and on how the Agnipath scheme can be reconciled with the existing framework governing Gorkha recruitment.

Also Read: Indian Army Rescues 571 People From Flood-Affected Areas In Assam