Agnipath Recruitment Scheme

In News 

• Recently, the Ministry of Defence announced the Agnipath recruitment scheme for the induction of young soldiers into tri-defence services.

Agnipath Recruitment Scheme

• About: 
  • Around 45,000 to 50,000 soldiers will be recruited annually, and most will leave the service in just four years. 
    • Of the total annual recruits, only 25 per cent will be allowed to continue for another 15 years under permanent commission.
  • Recruits under the scheme will be known as “Agniveers”. 
• Features:
  • Enrolment in all three services: Centralised online system to conduct rallies & campus interviews  at recognised technical institutes such as the Industrial Training Institutes, and the National Skills Qualifications Framework.
  • Eligibility criteria: It is only for personnel below officer ranks. On an ‘All India All Class’ basis with the eligibility age ranging from 17.5 to 21 years, with medical and physical fitness standards.
    • Educational qualification: Class X-XII
    • Recruitment will be done twice a year.
  • Pay and Perks: Annual package of ?4.76 lakh in the first year to ?6.92 lakh in the fourth year along with hardship allowance.
  • Under the “Seva Nidhi” package (which is exempt from Income Tax), they will receive about ?11.71 lakh, including contribution and interest, on completion of service. 
    • The recruits will have to contribute 30% of their monthly emoluments to Seva Nidhi, with a matching contribution made by the government. 

• There will be no entitlement to gratuity and pensionary benefits under the scheme. 

Benefits for 

• Nation: 
  • National Integration based on unity in diversity with equal opportunity to youth including women from all regions .
  • Nation Building through empowerment ,disciplined & skilled youth with military ethos in civil society 
  • It will considerably reduce the defence pension bill which has been a major concern of governments for many years.
• Armed Forces: 
  • Improved battle preparedness through transformative evolution with energetic ,fitter ,diverse ,more trainable resilient youth ,suited to the changing dynamics.
  • Selection of the best with rigorous transparent selection process 
  • Youthful profile by optimal balance of youth and experience 
  • Harness benefits of Skill India by induction from tech institutes 
• Individuals: 
  • Opportunities for youth to fulfil their dream of joining the Armed Forces & serve the nation .
  • Imbibe military discipline ,motivation ,skill and physical fitness
  • Smooth integration into society with skill sets .certification and diplomas /higher education/credits 
  • Good financial package making him/her more stable than his /her civilian counterparts
  • Confident better citizens by military training ,team building ,ethos camaraderie forged over the years 
  • Resume so unique that an Agniveer will stand out in crowd 
  • It will increase employment opportunities and because of the skills and experience acquired during the four-year service such soldiers will get employment in various fields.

Related Concerns

• No Pilot Project to Test the Scheme; Lead to the militarization of the society. 
• Will Dilute professionalism, military ethos and fighting spirit (took 7-8 yrs to become fully ready combat soldier)
• No Pension Benefits, only lumpsum; difficult to find another job after giving 4 years.
• Will hit the basic ethos of Naam, Namak & Nishan (reputation of Battalion, fidelity & ensign)
• Tourist soldiering is not a good idea for India’s security challenges.

Way Ahead & Conclusion 

• Need for Proper Pilot Project to Test the Scheme.
• Modernisation is needed on all fronts (Personnel, arms and warfare)
• These are fundamental and overdue reforms of our military. 
  • All major world militaries — the U.S., France, China, Russia and others — have undertaken reforms to modernise the mass versus machine ratios, which is a key pillar of modern warfare

Source:TH