The Agniveer package — what you take home, and what Seva Nidhi comes to
An Agniveer's pay is often quoted as one big number, and that causes confusion at home. The truth is simpler: every month, 30% of the package is set aside into the Seva Nidhi fund, and you take home the remaining 70%. On completing the full four years, the government puts in the same amount you contributed, and the whole fund comes to you — income-tax free.
This page works the published package out year by year, and is honest about the boundaries: interest is not included (the rate is declared by the government from time to time), and an Agniveer does not earn a pension — Seva Nidhi is a one-time amount, not a monthly payment.
| Year | Monthly package | In hand (70%) | To Seva Nidhi (30%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ₹30,000 | ₹21,000 | ₹9,000 |
| Year 2 | ₹33,000 | ₹23,100 | ₹9,900 |
| Year 3 | ₹36,500 | ₹25,550 | ₹10,950 |
| Year 4 | ₹40,000 | ₹28,000 | ₹12,000 |
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Whatever you type stays in this browser — it is not sent to any server and not recorded anywhere. Details in Privacy. The figures come from rates.json — that file is public on purpose, so anyone can check what this site calculates with.
Worth being clear about
- Leaving before four years: you receive your own contribution with interest — the government match applies only on completing the engagement.
- Interest: it is added on top of these amounts at the rate the government declares. We do not print a rate we cannot verify, so the figures here are without interest — your actual receipt will be higher.
- No pension, no MSP: the Agniveer package does not carry a service pension, Military Service Pay or a regular gratuity. Those apply to the soldiers retained after the four years.
- Insurance is separate: the non-contributory life cover of ₹48 lakh during service is not part of Seva Nidhi.
Frequently asked questions
Does an Agniveer get a pension?
No. Seva Nidhi is a one-time amount at the end of four years — there is no monthly pension, no MSP and no regular gratuity in the Agniveer package. Soldiers retained after the four years move to the regular terms, and those benefits then apply.
How much interest will be added?
The rate is declared by the government from time to time, so we do not print one — every figure on this page is before interest, and your actual receipt will be higher. Any site quoting you an exact final amount with interest is guessing.
What if I leave before four years?
You receive your own contribution with interest. The matching government share applies only on completing the full engagement.
Is Seva Nidhi taxed?
No — the Seva Nidhi package is exempt from income tax, as announced with the Agnipath scheme.
Is the ₹48 lakh insurance part of this money?
No. The life cover during service is non-contributory and separate — it is not deducted from your package and not part of Seva Nidhi.
Sources
- Cabinet approval of the AGNIPATH scheme, 14 June 2022 — PIB press release PRID 1833747 (pib.gov.in), annexure table read in full and matched on 3 August 2026: the year-wise package, the 30% contribution with an equal government share (₹5.02 lakh + ₹5.02 lakh), Seva Nidhi of "Rs 11.71 Lakh" including interest at the applicable rates, the income-tax exemption, "no entitlement to gratuity and pensionary benefits", and the ₹48 lakh cover. One discrepancy in the release itself: its Year-3 "In Hand" cell prints 25,580, though 70% of 36,500 is 25,550 — this page shows the arithmetically consistent 25,550.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice, and the figure is an estimate based on the published package — the authoritative record is your own enrolment terms. Sainik Desk is a private website with no government affiliation.