Gorkhas from Nepal have served in the Indian Army for over two centuries.
But for the last four years, no Nepali Gorkha has been recruited into the Indian Army.
India has now changed the rules of its Agnipath scheme.
The big question is whether this will convince Nepal to restart recruitment.
Key points
- Nepal stopped Gorkha recruitment after the Agnipath scheme was rolled out in June 2022.
- Agniveers now get a two-year extension and can join the regular army after six years in total, if they qualify.
- Former Nepali Army general Binoj Basnyat says the changes do not meet Nepal's demands.
- The first batch completes its four-year tenure in November 2026.
So why did Nepal stop sending Gorkhas?
The tradition began when Maharaja Ranjit Singh raised a battalion of Gorkhas to serve in the Sikh Army, around 1809 to 1814.
Later, they served in the British Indian Army from 1815 to 1947.
After independence, India agreed to keep Nepali soldiers in its army. The aim was to keep good relations with Kathmandu.
Nepal's objections began with the Agnipath scheme itself.
It offered only four years of service and no traditional pension benefits.
Kathmandu also said it was not consulted before the scheme was rolled out.
Nepal feared that trained soldiers would leave after four years and could pose a security challenge.
Under the scheme, only 25 per cent of each batch were to join the regular cadre. The other 75 per cent were to be discharged.
What has changed under the Agnipath rules?
The first batch completes its four-year tenure this month, in November 2026.
Just weeks before that, the government gave a two-year extension to the remaining 75 per cent.
After those two years, all Agniveers can be absorbed into the army. They must meet the selection criteria.
This creates a path to the regular forces after six years for all willing Agniveers.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Will this be enough to bring Nepal back?
Binoj Basnyat, a former Major General of the Nepali Army, does not think so.
He says the changes do not address Nepal's demands.
He said the scheme still goes against the principles of the Tripartite Agreement.
He also warned that weapon-trained soldiers returning home would be a security challenge.
Still, Basnyat said Nepal should resume recruitment. He suggested both governments form a panel before the four years end.
After the scheme was announced, Nepal's Parliament House Committee demanded a formal review or termination of the Tripartite Treaty.
For now, the next steps are not clear.
Explainer
What happened before
- Gorkhas have served in the Indian Army for over two centuries, and India agreed to keep Nepali soldiers after independence to ensure good relations with Kathmandu.
- Nepal suspended Gorkha recruitment after India rolled out the Agnipath scheme in June 2022.
- Nepal's Parliament House Committee later demanded a formal review or termination of the Tripartite Treaty.
Why it matters
Gorkha recruitment is a long tradition that links India and Nepal, so this deadlock affects ties between the two countries.
What to watch next
- The first Agniveer batch completes its four-year tenure in November 2026.
- A former Nepali general has suggested both governments form a panel before the four years end.
Exam Corner
UPSC GS Paper 2 · International relations: India-Nepal ties
What's the news
India has changed the Agnipath scheme rules, but Nepal has not agreed to resume recruiting Gorkhas into the Indian Army. No Nepali Gorkha has been recruited for the last four years.
Background
- Gorkhas have served in the Indian Army for over two centuries, first in the Sikh Army and then in the British Indian Army.
- The Agnipath scheme was rolled out in June 2022 and offered four years of service without traditional pension benefits.
- Under the revised rules, all Agniveers can be absorbed into the army after a two-year extension, a total of six years.
Facts for Prelims
- The Agnipath scheme was rolled out in June 2022.
- Under the scheme, 25 per cent of each batch was to be enrolled in the regular cadre.
- Nepal's Parliament House Committee demanded a formal review or termination of the Tripartite Treaty.
Content for Mains
- Significance: Gorkha soldiers have a long history in the Indian Army and shape India's ties with Nepal.
- Main issue: Nepal says the scheme lacks pension benefits and was launched without consultation with it.
- Challenges: Nepal worries that weapon-trained soldiers returning home after service could pose a security challenge.
- Way forward: A former Nepali general suggests both governments form a panel to study options before the four years end.
Practice question: Discuss the challenges in maintaining defence and diplomatic ties between India and Nepal, using the Gorkha recruitment deadlock as an example.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. Nepal stopped Gorkha recruitment into the Indian Army after which scheme was rolled out?
- Maharaja Ranjit Singh's scheme
- Agnipath scheme
- Tripartite Treaty scheme
- Two-year extension scheme
Show answer
Answer: B. Nepal suspended Gorkha recruitment after India rolled out the Agnipath scheme in June 2022.
Q2. After how many years does the revised scheme allow all willing Agniveers to join the regular armed forces?
- Two years
- Four years
- Six years
- Eight years
Show answer
Answer: C. The revised scheme gives a pathway to the regular forces after six years, including the two-year extension.
Key terms
- Agniveer: A soldier recruited under the Agnipath scheme.
- Agnipath scheme: India's scheme that offers four years of service in the armed forces, launched in June 2022.
- Tripartite Agreement: A treaty linked to Gorkha recruitment, which Nepal's former general says the new scheme goes against.
More stories for exam preparation: UPSC Today
These points come from this news report. Check them with standard sources such as NCERT books and PIB before your exam.
