The defence reforms like Agnipath were long pending as the armed forces wanted to bring youthfulness and experience, top defence officials said on Sunday, amid the protests that continued against the Centre's defence recruitment scheme. 

The defence ministry made it clear that the scheme wouldn't be rolled back.

Referring to the reservations for the ‘Agniveers’ by different ministries, the defence ministry said that announcements were pre-planned and not in reaction to the arson which took place after the Agnipath scheme announcement.