Centre opposes plea seeking parity in death benefits for Agniveers

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 18, with the date reference provided in the May 11, 2026 report of the affidavit filed before the High Court.

In an affidavit filed before the High Court, the central government opposed parity, stating Agniveers are not 'similarly situated' as regular soldiers and cannot claim parity in pensionary benefits. It argued the Agnipath scheme is a four-year short-term engagement designed for current security needs, and that pension and other emoluments for regular soldiers are linked to long-term service. The affidavit noted there is no provision in the Agnipath scheme for pension to the next of kin, and that the classification has a rational nexus with the scheme's objectives under Article 14. It also said the deceased mother cannot retrospectively claim benefits meant for regular soldiers. It added that after Naik was declared a battle casualty, all admissible financial and terminal benefits under the Agnipath scheme have been disbursed to the petitioner, totaling approximately ₹2.3 crore (insurance and compensation).

Agniveer M Murali Naik was killed on May 9, 2025 in Poonch amid heavy shelling during Operation Sindoor.

Jyotibai Naik, the martyred Agniveer's mother, filed a petition in 2025 through advocates Sandesh More, Hemant Ghadigaonkar and Hitendra Gandh, seeking parity with regular soldiers in death-benefit provisions.