The future of recruitment of Nepali Gorkhas into the Indian Army remains dependent on Nepal’s decision, with the Agnipath scheme being the only available pathway for new entrants, former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has said.
The recruitment of Nepali citizens into the Indian Army’s historic Gorkha regiments has remained suspended since 2022 following differences over India’s Agnipath military recruitment framework. Nepal has raised concerns regarding the four-year service tenure under the scheme and its compatibility with the long-standing arrangements governing Gorkha recruitment.
General Chauhan stated that the decision to restart recruitment from Nepal lies primarily with the Nepalese authorities. He underlined that India’s armed forces have adopted Agnipath as the standard recruitment system for soldiers below the officer rank, leaving no separate recruitment mechanism for Gorkha candidates.
The Gorkha soldiers have played a significant role in the Indian Army for decades, with their bravery, discipline and combat skills earning global recognition. The Gorkha regiments have historically included soldiers from Nepal under arrangements established through the India-Nepal-UK framework after World War II.
The introduction of the Agnipath scheme in 2022 changed the traditional recruitment process for soldiers. Under the new system, recruits serve a fixed four-year term, after which a portion of personnel are selected for continued service. Nepal’s hesitation over applying this model to its citizens has resulted in a pause in recruitment activities.
The issue has diplomatic as well as military significance, as thousands of Nepali youths have historically sought opportunities in the Indian Army’s Gorkha regiments. The continuation of recruitment depends on future discussions between New Delhi and Kathmandu.
India has maintained that the Agnipath system applies uniformly to all eligible recruits, including Gorkha candidates, while Nepal’s concerns remain focused on the impact of the short-term service structure compared with the traditional model.
As discussions continue, the future participation of Nepali Gorkhas in the Indian Army will depend on resolving differences through diplomatic engagement between the two countries.