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Agnipath Scheme (Yojna)

The Government of India has announced ‘Agnipath Yojna’ on 14^th June 2022 aiming to transform the Indian Defence Forces. The candidates inducted through this scheme will be called as Agniveers, which will be a new military rank. This scheme will be the only route for recruitment (as Jawans) into the military. It is to be implemented from September 2022 for males candidates of age group 17.5 to 21 years. The upper limit is raised by the GOI to 23 years, but only for the year 2022. The recruitment through this scheme will be twice a year for the Indian Armed Forces. Subsequently, the scheme will also induct candidates with ITI/Diploma for technical trades. Women will also be inducted in future under Agnipath scheme.

Under this scheme the Agniveers serve for a tenure of 4 years which include 6 months of training and 3.5 years of deployment. After 4 years of service, only 25% of agniveers will be selected for permanent cadre. Personnel who retire after 4 years will not be eligible for pension but will receive a Seva Nidhi Package of Rs10.04 lakhs. This amount will be exempted from Income Tax. The salary of an Agniveer for the first year will be Rs 30,000/month, Rs 33,000/month for second year, Rs 36,500/month for third year and Rs 40,000/month for fourth year, out of which 30% will be contributed to Agniveer Corpus Fund every month. He/she will get complete salary during his/her training rather than a stipend. They will be provided with medical and life insurance cover of Rs 48 lakhs for the duration of their engagement period in the Armed Forces.

Benefits: -

1. The scheme gives the youth a chance to serve in the Indian Armed Forces without necessarily devoting their whole life. It will help fill vacancies. The Armed Forces currently need around 2 lakh people. Filling these vacancies will increase the operational capabilities of the forces. By December 2022, the first batch of 25,000 Agniveers will be inducted. The second batch would be inducted around February 2023 making it 40,000. In the next 4-5 years, our intake of soldiers will be 50,000-60,000 and will increase subsequently. We’ve started small at 46,000 per year to analyse the scheme and to build up infra capacity.
2. It will decrease causality rate in the forces by providing young, dynamic, swift and war ready Agniveers as many deaths and injuries in the highly modified area happens because the physical standards required are not met due to certain factors.
3. It will increase the working efficiency of the Indian Armed Forces. A more effective way of jawan training will be adopted by the organisation as the training period has been reduced from 1 year (9 months of basic training and 3 months of specialised training) to 6 months. The fight to acquire top 25% position in the merit will also boost up the efficiency of an individual as well as the unit.
4. The Agniveers will take up duties as per their capabilities and seniority (1 year, 2-year, 3 year or 4 years). The competition to serve the country for longer duration and fight a battle as an effective soldier will keep these young Agniveers on their toes.
5. Agniveers will be provided with a skill certificate post their retirement after 4 years. The certificate holders will be prioritised by the job providers in the civil society and even in the public and private educational institutes. The MHA announced they would reserve 10% vacancies for Agniveers in CAPF and Assam Rifles. They also decided to give 3 years age relaxation beyond the prescribed upper age limit to Agniveers for recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles. The MoD announced 10% reservation in jobs for Agniveers in the Indian Coast Guard, defence civilian posts and 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU).

In my opinion: -

India is a nation of 1.4 billion people in which nearly 40% of people are in the age group of 13 to 35. It is true that a lot of young people value stability over competitive salary. Some of them want a job with retirement benefits and pension. Obviously the Agnipath scheme is not suitable for them. They should look for other Govt jobs.

We do not commit for a job in Indian Armed Forces, rather we serve in the Indian Armed Forces.  In return for our services, we get respect, dignity, and a sense of status.

For a regular job in public sector units or Govt offices, it is understandable that people want financial and job security, but this does not apply for the Armed Forces. The problem is that the Indian youth is obsessed with government jobs. The private sector pays better in most cases and even provides more creative opportunities, but most youths consider it unstable and risky. Most of the people consider pension as the biggest benefit of government job but the fact that private jobs pay better overall balances the lack of pension. Youth must understand that stability is not everything, if you are good at what you do you will get permanent after serving as Agniveer.

Conclusion: -

The Army’s recruitment drive is based to ensure that more soldiers are available to fight a war and preserve national security.

Armed Forces are not a job providing organisation. However, some rowdy elements are burning trains and blocking highways in protest against the Agnipath scheme. Such people cannot sacrifice their life for India. Hence, are unsuitable to serve our country as soldiers. Vandalism in no way justifies the concerns of aspirants. It will get them nothing but withdrawal of public support. People responsible for these violent activities can never be a part of Indian Armed Forces.

I will appeal to the youth to join as Agniveers and give best years of their lives in the Armed Forces. The countrymen will always honour your courage and sacrifices. Jai Hind!

-By Sanskar Shukla (IMA Aspirant)