The Union Cabinet, on 14th June 2022 approved the recruitment scheme for the Indian Youth to serve in the Armed Forces. The scheme has been named “AGNEEPATH” and the recruits under this scheme will be known as “AGNIVEERS”. The age range for the youth to be recruited under this scheme will be 17.5-21 years. The recruited youth under this scheme will serve in the Armed Forces for a period of 4 years. The aim of the implementation of the scheme mainly is to engage the diligent, powerful, enthusiastic youth in the nation serving. The adequately skilled and techno-headed youth will be able to serve in various other sectors and apparently will be more aware of the latest technology, which would be useful in the various departments of the Armed forces. The current average age in the Indian army is about 32 years, but with the implementation of this scheme, the average age in the Indian Army will be dropped to nearly 4-5 years, which will indicate the automatic participation of the youth in the nation-building.
Perks:
The recruited Agniveers will be given an attractive customised monthly package. After the period of 4 years, they will be paid for the “Seva Nidhi” package. This Seva Nidhi package will be exempted from any Income Tax. There will be no pensionary benefits. Angiveers will get non-contributory Life-Insurance of Rs 48 lakh for their duration in service.
Year Customised Package (Monthly) In Hand (70%) Contribution to Agniveer Corpus Fund (30%) Contribution to corpus fund by GoI
All figures in Rs (Monthly Contribution)
1st Year – 30000 21000 9000 9000
2nd Year – 33000 23100 9900 9900
3rd Year – 36500 25580 10950 10950
4th Year – 40000 28000 12000 12000
Total contribution to Agniveer Corpus Fund after four years Rs 5.02 Lakh Rs 5.02 Lakh
Post this stint of four years, the Agniveers will be infused into the civil society where they can contribute immensely to the nation-building process. The skills gained by each Agniveer will be recognized in a certificate to form part of his unique resume. Agniveers, on completion of the four-year tenure in the prime of their youth, will be mature and self-disciplined with the realization to become a better version of himself/herself both professionally as also personally. The avenues and opportunities that will open up for their progress in the civil world after Agniveer tenure would certainly be a big plus for nation-building. The ‘Seva Nidhi’ of approximately Rs 11.71 lakh would aid the Agniveer to pursue his/her future dreams without the financial pressure, which is normally the case for young people from the financially deprived strata of society.
The individuals, selected for enrollment in the Armed Forces as regular cadre, would be required to serve for a further engagement period of a minimum of 15 years and would be governed by the existing terms and conditions of service of Junior Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks in Indian Army and their equivalent in Indian Navy and Indian Air Force and that of Non-Combatant enrolled in the Indian Air Force, as amended from time-to-time.
Condition of Service:
Under the AGNIPATH scheme, the Agniveers would form a distinct rank in the Armed Forces, different from any other existing ranks. Upon the completion of four years of service, based on organisational requirements and policies promulgated by the Armed Forces from time to time, Agniveers will be offered an opportunity to apply for permanent enrollment in the Armed Forces. These applications will be considered in a centralized manner based on objective criteria including performance during their four-year engagement period, and up to 25% of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in the regular cadre of the Armed Forces. 46,000 Agniveers will be recruited this year. Enrollment will be undertaken through an online centralized system for all three services with specialized rallies and campus interviews from recognized technical institutes such as Industrial Training Institutes and National Skills Qualifications Framework, among others. Agniveers will meet the medical eligibility conditions laid down for enrollment in the armed forces, as applicable to respective categories/trades. The educational qualification for Agniveers will remain in vogue for enrollment in various categories.
CURRENT PROTESTS AGAINST THE SCHEME:
Protests against the Centre’s Agnipath recruitment scheme continued in several parts of the country for the third day on Friday. The protests, which started in Bihar, have now spread to Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh. In the wake of ongoing protests against the “Agnipath” military recruitment scheme, section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was imposed in Haryana’s Gurugram district on Friday. Gurugram District Magistrate Nishant Kumar Yadav issued the order on Friday to impose a ban on gatherings of four or more people. Internet services will remain temporarily suspended in Kaimer, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Buxer, Nawada, West Champaran, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Vaishali, and Saran districts from today till 19th June: Bihar govt.
Overall, the Agneepath scheme aims to engage youth in the nation serving practices, amid which some have risen to protests. This seems that such people see serving the nation as a JOB and not a DUTY.
