India, Nov. 26 -- The army is examining a proposal to double the intake of Agniveers in its ranks --- from the current 50,000 to 100,000 a year --- with the move aimed at addressing shortage of soldiers in the PBOR (personnel below officer rank) cadre, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday.

The army has a shortfall of around 180,000 soldiers, largely due to a freeze on legacy recruitment during the Covid years 2020-21, the officials said, asking not to be named. While recruitment was stopped then, around 60,000 soldiers retired every year during that period.

More than 3,000 Agniveers --- barely 20 years old and recruited during the last two years --- manned critical weapons and systems integral to the army's hardy air defence ...