Cabinet clears ‘AGNIPATH’ scheme for recruitment of youth in the Armed Forces

Tatvamasi

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Jan 5, 2018
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In a transformative reform, Cabinet clears ‘AGNIPATH’ scheme for recruitment of youth in the Armed Forces

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 years 46,000 Agniveers to be recruited this year

Recruitment rallies will commence in 90 days

Armed Forces to have a younger, fitter, diverse profile for facing future challenges


The Union Cabinet today approved an attractive recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the Armed Forces. The scheme is called AGNIPATH and the youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers. AGNIPATH allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years.

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 national 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 ‘Seva Nidhi’ 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:

YearCustomised Package (Monthly)In Hand (70%)Contribution to Agniveer Corpus Fund (30%)Contribution to corpus fund by GoI
All figures in Rs (Monthly Contribution)
1st Year300002100090009000
2nd Year330002310099009900
3rd Year36500255801095010950
4th Year40000280001200012000
Total contribution in Agniveer Corpus Fund after four yearsRs 5.02 LakhRs 5.02 Lakh
Exit After 4 YearRs 11.71 Lakh as Seva Nidhi Package
(Including, interest accumulated on the above amount as per the applicable interest rates would also be paid)


The ‘Seva Nidhi’ will be exempt from Income Tax. There shall be no entitlement to gratuity and pensionary benefits. Agniveers will be provided non-contributory Life Insurance Cover of Rs 48 lakhs for the duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces.

During this period of service to the nation, the Agniveers will be imparted with various military skills and experience, discipline, physical fitness, leadership qualities, courage and patriotism. Post this stint of four years, the Agniveers will be infused into the 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 realization 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 Agniveer tenure would certainly be a big plus towards nation building. Moreover, the Seva Nidhi of approximately Rs 11.71 lakhs 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 enrolment in the Armed Forces as regular cadre, would be required to serve for a further engagement period of 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 Agniveers to 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% of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in regular cadre of the Armed Forces. Detailed guidelines will be issued separately.

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 meet the medical eligibility conditions laid down for enrolment in the armed forces as applicable to respective categories/trades. The educational qualification for Agniveers will remain as in vogue for enrollment in various categories. {For example: For entry into General Duty (GD) soldier, the educational qualification is Class 10}.

 
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Same concept as home guards nothing special, a non commissioned officer is nothing in armed forces. Oh did they forget to mention that recommendation from RSS will be needed for permanent comission? So for next 4 years do Agniveer recruitment and show in Parliament that okay employment has gone up.
 
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If I were a young person from a small town or village I would take this opportunity. It’s four years after which you get a decent lump sum and a chance to take on reduced interest loans. I would do the four years take the loans and get myself a spanking good education and build a solid life. It would be a way out of village limitations while also getting a chance to serve my country.
 
My father says " Armed forces are not corrupt because majority of them don't get opportunity to do corruption" . With this scheme my apprehension is that who will decide which 1 soldier out of 4 will get selected for further service and how? This will bring corruption and favoritism within Unit ranks. I hope they put in place some mechanism on selection process...
 
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Period of service is way too less to make an impact. It should have been 10 years with 3-5 years under proper education & training for overall satisfactory results for the country.
One thing to look is that if I am a 18-19 year old in a quiet district of Bihar, trying to get a job, of which one really good option is Army rallies. I am say 10th or 12th pass. Then previously, if I got into Army, my future is more or less secure.

But if it's likely that I will be laid off after 10 years of service, then I will have no where else to go.

In the current scenario if I am 12th pass by 18 years old and get into Agnipath. By the end of 4 years, I will still have an opportunity to go get an UG degree and have better job opportunities.

Just one scenario in my mind.

Ofcourse your concerns are also justifiable.
 
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I am sure that at the end of four years , 50 percent would be absorbed , simply because of Operational Requirements

Right now the Generals are going with the Govt dictates , but 4 years is a long time

The upcoming Recruitment rallies will also be a good pointer , as to how the youth look at this new scheme
 
My father says " Armed forces are not corrupt because majority of them don't get opportunity to do corruption" . With this scheme my apprehension is that who will decide which 1 soldier out of 4 will get selected for further service and how? This will bring corruption and favoritism within Unit ranks. I hope they put in place some mechanism on selection process...
This is the only legitimate concern IMO. IF we can handle this objectively it will be a huge success.
 
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There will be little incentive for ppl to co-operate with each other if they know they will get eliminated in the process. Worse is when a unit has all the best ppl , then they will let go good ppl. This a serious problem in corporates, now it will be seen how it will work out in a govt organization.
 
This is the only legitimate concern IMO. IF we can handle this objectively it will be a huge success.
Not even corporates which run for profit have been able to effectively able to implement a process to retain the best effectively. Even the best companies which are doing great end up degrading over period of time, thats the reason why most companies bring outsiders to fix issues. As such expecting govt to do it, is not just a tall order but literally impossible.

Sooner or later netas will be giving recommendation even for the lowest of the ranks of the org.
 
This is the only legitimate concern IMO. IF we can handle this objectively it will be a huge success.
Who says corruption doesn't happen during armed forces selection?😂 Money did play its role, specifically after a certain phase was cleared. It's going to remain a factor, not a big one and not for everyone but it exists.
 
It's a decent scheme for a soldier who wants an education and become something later on. For those who want a secure career, it's bad for them.

For the military, it's a ridiculous scheme. All the army will get is a bunch of kids to play with. Once the first batch of kids are trained and ready, they are sent home instead, replaced by a whole bunch of new kids.

This system will work in a First World country, where the basic abilities of a 10th/12th pass is high, can be quickly trained, and have the motivation and opportunities to change careers at a very young age once their army stint is done. As for our boys, if they don't get re-employed elsewhere, like the paramilitary, at best they will end up doing either blue collar work or something menial, like a security guard. Or at worse, end up as a mercenary elsewhere only to get killed, 'cause who's gonna give a frig for an Indian in a foreign country.

Only someone completely retarded can come up with such a system for India. I hope they will change it back before the decade ends. Or at least increase the full term share to 50-75%, 25% is too low.

Now full term soldiers will have sahayaks, imagine that. And most of these "Agniveers" will have to brownose their way into full term. The main advantage we have over China, we are giving it up on our own.
 
I tend to agree with hellfire. Modi is something like Nehru 2.0. How to mess up a perfectly good system. Decent administrator to fix problems. In the rush to fix short term economics, he is going to mess up long term strategy.

The more one looks at it, the more one is convinced that CDS is a political appointee to push government agenda. The mess this government is creating at the fundamental level will take years to fix, if implemented.

Military ethos in civil society. They need their brains checked, seriously.
 
My father says " Armed forces are not corrupt because majority of them don't get opportunity to do corruption" .

Lt col, air commodore and admiral level officers can been seen buying cheap old monk and other stuff from CSD canteen and selling at profitable price outside to others.

You want to renew command building or office buildings, contractors send gift to colonels and brigadiers.

Easily very easily brats of these military officers get into NDA or through IMA. Not a big deal.

Show me an order where family can use government cars , or helicopters for personal use.


Muh mat khulwao mera yahan

This will bring corruption and favoritism within Unit ranks.
There is favoritism in military as well. Infact caste based grouping too. Any how this is how whole India is armed forces is not different from rest.
 
This government is having a habit of implementing things or executing crucial without a second thought or implementing thing without proper discussion in parliament, and almost all key initiatives are either a terrible failure or didn't bring desired results.
You name it, The demonetization of 500&1000 rupees currencies,the farm laws all such example. The strategic partnership model , another policy failure. I believe even bring the CDS concept didn't brought much useful things. Based on all these one can assume,the new government policy of bringing contractual soldiers also will be an utter flop.
The problem here is it will take years to show how effective new policy is with armed forces,and most alarming part is ,if the policy is failed,there will be no room left to the military to undone the damages. The scenario will be more worse than the stopping of Raw operation in pakistan by Morarji Desai .
If each and every veteran is speaking against this,then there is a serious problem with it.
 
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