- Agniveers to be enrolled under respective Service Acts for four years
- Attractive monthly package with Risk & Hardship allowances as applicable in the three Services
- One time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package to be paid to Agniveers upon completion of engagement period of four year
- 46,000 Agniveers to be recruited this year
Armed Forces to have a younger, fitter, diverse profile for facing future challenges
New Delhi. In a transformative reform, the Union cabinet on June 14 cleared an “Agnipath” recruitment scheme for patriotic and motivated Indian youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years as “Agniveers” at the conclusion of which they will receive a Rs 11.71 lakh “Seva Nidhi” package in addition to their monthly emoluments beginning with Rs 30,000 in the first year and rising to Rs 40,000 in the fourth year.
At the end of the tenure, there is also the possibility of getting selected for induction as regular cadre, where they would have to serve for a minimum of 15 years.
Forty-six thousand Agniveers will be recruited this year.
The Agnipath scheme has been designed to enable a youthful profile of the Armed Forces. It will provide an opportunity to the youth who may be keen to don the uniform by attracting young talent from the society who are more in tune with contemporary technological trends and plough back skilled, disciplined and motivated manpower into the society.
As for the Armed Forces, it will enhance the youthful profile of the Armed Forces and provide a fresh lease of ‘Josh’ and ‘Jazba’ whilst at the same time bring about a transformational shift towards a more tech savvy Armed Forces – which is indeed the need of the hour.
It is envisaged that average age profile of Indian Armed forces would come down by about 4-5 years by implementation of this scheme. The nation stands to immensely benefit by infusion of highly inspired youth with deeper understanding of self-discipline, diligence and focus who would be adequately skilled and will be able to contribute in other sectors.
The dividends of a short military service to the nation, society and the youth of the nation are immense. This includes inculcation of patriotism, team work, enhancement of physical fitness, ingrained loyalty for the country and availability of trained personnel to boost national security in times of external threats, internal threats and natural disasters.
This is a major defence policy reform introduced by the Government to usher in a new era in the Human Resource policy of the three Services. The policy, which comes into immediate effect, will hereafter govern the enrolment for the three services.
Benefits to the Agniveers
Agniveers will be given an attractive customised monthly package along with Risk and Hardship allowances as applicable in the three services. On completion of the engagement period of four years, Agniveers will be paid one time ‘SevaNidhi’ package which shall comprise their contribution including accrued interest thereon and matching contribution from the Government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution including interest as indicated below:
The customised package will give the Agniveers Rs 30,000 in the first year, with Rs 21,000 in hand and Rs 9,000 going to the Agniveer Corpus Fund and the government contributing an equal amount.
This will rise to Rs 33,000 (Rs 23,100) in the second year and to Rs 36,500 (Rs 25,580) in the third year and to Rs 40,000 (Rs 28,000) in the fourth year.
At the end of the fourth year, the contribution to the Agniveer Corpus would amount to Rs 5.02 lakhs with an equal contribution from the government and the total would come to Rs 11.71 lakh along with the accumulated interest
The Seva Nidhi will be exempt from Income Tax. There will be no entitlement to gratuity and pensionary benefits. Agniveers will be provided non-contributory Life Insurance Cover of Rs 48 lakh for the duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces.
During their period of service, the Agniveers will be imparted with various military skills and experience, discipline, physical fitness, leadership qualities, courage and patriotism. Post their stint, the Agniveers will be infused into civil society where they can contribute immensely towards the nation building process.
The skills gained by each Agniveer will be recognised 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 realisation to become 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 their tenure would certainly be a big plus towards nation building.
Moreover, the Seva Nidhi 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 thereafter selected for enrolment in the Armed Forces as regular cadre would be required to serve for a further minimum 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.
The scheme will lead to much more youthful and technically adept war fighting force by ensuring a fine balance between youthful and experienced personnel in the Armed Forces.
Advantages
· A transformative reform of recruitment policy of the Armed Forces.
· A unique opportunity to the youth to serve the country and contribute to Nation Building.
· Armed Forces profile to be youthful and dynamic.
· Attractive financial package for the Agniveers.
· Opportunity for Agniveersto train in the best institutions and enhance their skills & qualifications.
· Availability of well-disciplined and skilled youth with military ethos in civil society.
· Adequate re-employment opportunities for those returning to society and who could emerge as role models for the youth.
Terms & Conditions
Under the Agnipath scheme, the Agniveers will be enrolled in the Forces under respective Service Acts for a period of four years. They 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 requirement and policies promulgated by the Armed Forces from time-to-time, Agniveers will be offered an opportunity to apply for permanent enrolment in the Armed Forces.
These applications will be considered in a centralised manner based on objective criteria including performance during their four-year engagement period and up to 25 per cent of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in regular cadre of the Armed Forces. Detailed guidelines will be issued separately. The selection will be the exclusive jurisdiction of the Armed Forces.
Enrolment will be undertaken through an online centralised system for all three services with specialised rallies and campus interviews from recognised technical institutes such as Industrial Training Institutes and National Skills Qualifications Framework, among others.
Enrolment will be based on All India All Class basis and the eligible age will be in range from 17.5 to 21 years. Agniveers will have to meet the medical eligibility conditions laid down for enrolment in the armed forces as applicable to respective categories/trades.
The educational qualification for Agniveerswill remain as in vogue for enrolment in various categories. (For example: For entry into General Duty (GD) soldier, the educational qualification is Class 10).
