What is the Agnipath Military scheme?
On 14th June 2022, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the Agnipath scheme, which enables the Indian youth to serve in the Indian Armed Forces. Rajnath Singh, the Union Defence Minister said that through the ‘Agnipath‘ scheme, all useful efforts will be made to create opportunities for youth to serve in Armed Forces. This scheme will help the youth to train and learn new technologies and improve their health levels. With increasing employment opportunities, the youth will learn new skills in various sectors. He also said that the ‘Agniveers’, who will be a part of the Armed Forces under the Agnipath scheme will be given a good pay package and an exit retirement package after 4 years of service.
Agnipath scheme: Features
Higher pay packages for the youth along with risk and hardship allowance. (Applicable in three-year service)
‘Seva Nidhi’ will be paid to the Agniveers on completion of four years of service. The Seva Nidhi comprises their contribution which includes accrued interest thereon and matching contribution from the government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution including interest.
The Agniveers will be provided life insurance (non-contributory) coverage of ₹48 lakh for the duration of their services in the Indian Armed Forces.
The Agniveers will learn several skills and experience. They’ll learn qualities like discipline, physical fitness, leadership qualities, courage, and patriotism.
The individual selected for the enrolment in the Armed Forces as a regular crade will be required to serve for a minimum of 15 years and will be governed by the existing terms and conditions of service of Junior Commissioned officer in the Indian Army the and same in Indian Navy and Indian Air force.
Agnipath scheme: Advantages
A new and transformative reform of the recruitment policy of the Indian Armed Forces.
Unique opportunity for the youth of India to serve in the Indian Armed Forces and serve the country and help in nation-building.
New, youthful and dynamic image of Armed Forces in India.
Agniveers will be given good pay packages.
Opportunity to get training in the best institutions and development of their skills and experience.
Availability of skilled youth with military ethos in society.
Employment opportunity development for those who are returning to society and for those who are going to emerge as a role models for the upcoming youth.
Agnipath scheme: Eligibility
Under this scheme, both men and women can apply and the candidates must be between the ages of 17.5 and 21 to serve in the Indian Armed Forces.
Candidates for all the three services under the Indian Armed Forces will be enrolled through a centralized online system, which includes specific rallies and campus interviews. These interviews will be conducted in recognized technical colleges.
The enrolment will be based on an ‘All India All Class’ basis.
The Agniveers have to meet the medical requirements to get shortlisted in any of the Indian Armed Forces.
The education qualification required for enrolment in many categories under the scheme are vogue. The education qualification required to be a General Duty (GD) soldier is class 10.
Girls can also apply for the Agnipath scheme under the given age limit. There is no specific reservation for women.
FAQs on the Agnipath scheme
1. How many soldiers will be recruited under Agnipath?
Ans. 46,000 soldiers will be recruited under the Agnipath scheme this year. The youth of India will get a huge opportunity to serve in Indian Armed Forces with a high pay scale.
2. When will the Agnipath recruitment scheme for defense forces start?
Ans. The Government is going to announce the Agnipath recruitment scheme for defense forces on 14th June 2022.
