For nearly five years, the Indian Army has been unable to recruit Gurkha soldiers from Nepal, marking a significant pause in a tradition that began after India’s independence under the Tripartite Agreement of 1947, signed by India, Nepal, and the United Kingdom. The future of Gurkha recruitment in Nepal remains uncertain, as the ongoing suspension has strained this historic relationship and left many aspiring Gurkhas in a state of limbo.
The Gurkha soldiers recruitment freeze, initially caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, has continued due to the Nepalese government’s objections to India’s Agnipath scheme. Introduced in 2022, the Agnipath scheme—meaning “path of fire” in Hindi—aims to modernize military recruitment by offering short-term, four-year contracts with no guarantees of pensions or long-term job security. In response, Nepal has silently blocked its ethnic Gurkha community from participating, citing concerns about inadequate compensation, job security, and post-service benefits.
For now, the stalemate continues, casting doubt on the future of a recruitment pipeline that has been a cornerstone of Nepal-India relations for decades. Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has recently appealed to his Nepali counterpart, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, to revive the recruitment of Gurkha soldiers into the Indian Army. Despite India’s military efforts, the issue has become increasingly political in Nepal, with no professional resolution in sight. Here is everything you need to know about the issue from all perspectives:
When and why has Gorkha recruitment been paused?
Gurkha recruitment into the Indian Army has been paused since 2019, initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted recruitment activities and diminished the number of Nepali Gurkhas in active service.
The situation was further compounded in 2022 with the introduction of the Agnipath scheme, which fundamentally altered the recruitment process for the Indian armed forces.
The Nepali government opposed the Agnipath scheme, specifically its terms under the Agniveer policy, citing concerns that it violated the provisions of the 1947 tripartite India-Nepal-Britain Agreement. This agreement had established the framework for Gurkha soldiers to serve in the British and Indian armies, ensuring their welfare and long-term re-employability. Under the Agnipath scheme, Gurkha recruits would serve only a four-year term, with limited post-service benefits, raising questions in Nepal about their future employability and security.
In response, the Nepali government, suspended Gurkha recruitment rallies that had been scheduled for August and September 2022 in Butwal and Dharan. While these rallies traditionally assess candidates through academic and physical tests, Kathmandu chose to defer its decision on the matter until after the country’s November 2022 elections.
However, the subsequent formation of three different coalition governments in Nepal led to no significant progress on the issue. The suspension of recruitment has created uncertainty about the future of the Gurkha regiments, which have been an integral part of the Indian Army since 1947. These regiments are not only vital for India’s military operations but also represent a historical and cultural bond between Nepal and India.
What is the India’s Agnipath Scheme?
The Agnipath scheme is a recruitment policy introduced by the Government of India in June 2022 to reform the recruitment and retirement processes in the Indian armed forces. This initiative targets youth aged 17-and-a-half to 21 years, offering them an opportunity to serve in the armed forces for a fixed term of four years.
The scheme’s objectives are to enhance the military’s operational readiness through merit-based recruitment and the incorporation of modern technology. It also seeks to foster national integration and nation-building by instilling a military ethos in Indian civil society.
The Agnipath scheme came into effect in September 2022. Soldiers recruited under this scheme are referred to as Agniveers. After completing the four-year tenure, only the top 25% of recruits are retained for permanent roles in central security forces. The remaining 75% are discharged with a one-time lump sum payment of approximately $15,000 but do not receive pensions or other long-term career benefits.
Why is Nepal opposed to the Agnipath scheme?
Nepal has expressed strong opposition to the Agnipath scheme due to concerns over its impact on Nepali youth and its deviation from established recruitment traditions. The scheme offers only a four-year term with no guarantee of retention, which Nepal views as undermining the traditional perception of military service as a stable, long-term career. Additionally, discharged soldiers are provided only a lump sum payment without pensions or other benefits, raising concerns about the financial stability and welfare of those who return to Nepal after completing their term.
The Nepali government also argues that the Agnipath scheme violates the spirit of the 1947 Tripartite Agreement between Nepal, India, and Britain, which has governed the recruitment of Gurkhas into the Indian Army. This agreement emphasized the importance of ensuring the welfare and career prospects of Nepali soldiers, something the new scheme fails to address adequately.
Furthermore, the Nepali government is deeply concerned about the reintegration of trained and potentially disillusioned ex-soldiers into society after their four-year term. There is a fear that their military training, combined with a lack of future prospects, could contribute to social unrest or instability within Nepal. These concerns have led Nepal to reject the Agnipath scheme and suspend Gurkha recruitment under its terms.
How many Nepali Gorkhas are in the Indian Army?
India has more than 42,000 Gurkha soldiers, distributed among 43 Gurkha battalions, serving in the Indian Army. Currently, there are approximately 35,000 Nepali Gurkhas actively serving in the Indian Army, including deployments in geopolitically sensitive regions such as Indian-administered Kashmir and the northeastern parts of the country. Additionally, there are over 122,000 Indian Gurkha veterans living in Nepal. Their pensions and other benefits have significantly contributed to the economy of Nepal’s impoverished hill regions.
When did India start recruiting Nepali Gorkhas?
The origin of Nepali Gurkha recruitment into the Indian Army dates back to the Tripartite Agreement signed between the governments of the United Kingdom, India, and Nepal on 9 November 1947. The Indian Army has upheld this agreement in letter and spirit to this day, and Gurkhas from Nepal continue to be recruited into the Indian Army.
Since India’s independence in 1947, as per the terms of the Britain-India-Nepal Tripartite Agreement, six Gurkha regiments, which were formerly part of the British Indian Army, became part of the Indian Army and have served ever since. The troops are primarily drawn from ethnic Nepali Gurkhas of Nepal and ethnic Nepali-origin people known as Indian Gurkhas. Recruitment is conducted once or twice a year.
Why are Gorkhas important to India’s national security interests?
The Gurkha regiments have been a cornerstone of India’s national security for decades, embodying unparalleled loyalty, valor, and battle-hardened experience. Known for their courage and resilience, Nepali Gurkhas have played pivotal roles in safeguarding India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Their contribution has been particularly significant in key conflicts, including the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1947, 1965, and 1971.
Beyond their military prowess, the Gurkhas have also strengthened India-Nepal relations through their deep ties with the Indian Armed Forces. However, the recruitment of Gurkhas into the Indian Army faced challenges in 2022 following the Government of Nepal suspended Gurkha recruitment following the introduction of the Agnipath scheme. The Gurkha regiments remain vital to India’s strategic and operational capabilities, symbolizing trust, loyalty, and an unbroken legacy of service to the nation.
How many Gurkhas serve in the Indian Army, what is their current condition, and how many vacancies are available?
Currently, the Indian Army maintains seven Gurkha regiments with approximately 32,000 Nepali soldiers actively serving. Historically, the Indian Army recruited between 1,200 to 1,500 Gurkhas from Nepal annually. However, recruitment has been frozen since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later the introduction of the Agnipath scheme. During this period, about 15,000 Gurkha soldiers have retired, leaving these vacancies unfilled and resulting in significant manpower shortages in operational battalions.
To address the shortfall, the Indian Army has been recruiting Gurkhas from Indian regions such as Darjeeling, Dehradun, and Dharamshala, alongside Garhwalis and Kumaonis. Despite these efforts, the recruitment freeze for Nepali Gurkhas has created a shortfall of over 12,000 Nepali soldiers, severely impacting the traditional composition of Gurkha regiments.
If this trend continues, the strength of the Gurkha battalions is projected to halve within seven years. By 2037, the Indian Army may no longer have pure Gurkha regiments, marking a significant shift in the composition and legacy of these storied units. This has raised concerns about maintaining the unique identity and operational effectiveness of the Gurkha regiments.
How did Gorkhas recruitment begin?
Gurkha recruitment is part of a 200-year-old tradition and legacy. The recruitment practice began after the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816). Impressed by the martial skills and bravery of Nepali fighters, the British East India Company started recruiting Gurkhas to fight alongside its own troops. The first batch of Gurkhas consisted of about 5,000 Nepali men.
Nepali Gurkhas have long been celebrated for their unwavering loyalty and extraordinary bravery. Their legacy as formidable warriors was firmly established during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (also known as the Sepoy Mutiny). While some elements of the Bengal Army revolted against the British, supported by discontented segments of the population, all Gurkha units remained steadfastly loyal to the British. The Nasiri, Sirmoor, and Kumaon battalions—later renamed the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gurkha Rifles—played a pivotal role in suppressing the rebellion, bolstered by a brigade of 9,000 soldiers from the Nepal Army.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Gurkha Brigade expanded to ten regiments, each with two battalions. They distinguished themselves in numerous military campaigns across the region. They fought in both Sikh Wars (1845–46 and 1848–49), the three Burma Wars (1824–26, 1852, and 1885), and all three Afghan Wars (1839–42, 1878–81, and 1919). Additionally, they played a crucial role in garrisoning frontiers, earning widespread respect for their discipline and combat prowess.
During the First World War (1914–1918), over 120,000 Gurkhas served on various fronts, exemplifying their valor and dedication. Their contributions were equally significant in the Second World War (1939–1945), where more than 130,000 Gurkhas fought in numerous theaters across the globe, further cementing their reputation as elite soldiers.
After India gained independence in 1947, the ten Gurkha regiments were divided between India and Britain. Nepali Gurkhas have since continued to play a critical role in major conflicts for both nations. In India, Gurkha regiments have participated in key wars, including those against Pakistan and China, showcasing their enduring legacy of loyalty, bravery, and exceptional service.
(This content has been generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in accordance with Nepal News’ AI Policy.)