Agniveers

Friends, last few days you must have read in the newspaper or on social media about Agnipath and Agniveer.

What is AGNIPATH Scheme

The union cabinet of India approved one of the attractive schemes for Indian youth that they can join the Indian Armed Forces. The name of this scheme is  AGNIPATH and selected candidates under the scheme are known as AGNIVEER. The scheme has more than 46,000 posts. Qualification for this post will be 10^th, 12^th, and ITI.

Benefits from this scheme

Agniveers will be given an attractive customized monthly package along with Risk and Hardship allowances as applicable in the three services. On completion of the engagement period of 4 years, Agniveers will be paid one time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package which shall comprise their contribution including accrued interest thereon and matching contribution from the Govt equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution including interest. In the first year, Agniveers will get per month Rs 30,000, out of which 30% will be contributed to Agniveer Corpus Fund, and the same amount will be contributed by the Govt. Second-year salary will be 33,00, third-year Rs 36,500 and fourth year Rs 40,000, and same way contribution to Corpus Fund.

At the end of 4 years approx Rs 11.71 Lakh as Seva Nidhi package (including interest accumulated on the contributed amount).

This Seva Nidhi will be exempt from Income Tax. There shall be no entitlement for gratuity and pension benefits. Agniveers will be provided a non-contributory Life Insurance Cover of Rs 48 Lakhs for the duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces.

During the 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 4 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 4 years 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. Moreover, the Seva Nidhi of approx 11.71 Lakhs would aid the Agniveer to pursue his/her future dreams without financial pressure, which is normally the case for young people from the financially deprived strata of the society.

The individual on completion of the tenure, can be selected for enrolment in the Armed Forces as a 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.

The scheme will lead to a much more youthful and technically adept war fighting force by ensuring a fine balance between youthful and experienced personnel in the Armed Forces.

Terms and conditions of this scheme

Agniveers would form a distinct rank in the Armed forces, different from any existing ranks.

Upon the completion of 4 years of service, based on organizational requirements 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 centralized manner based on criteria including performance during their 4-year engagement period and up to 25% of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in the regular cadre of the Armed Forces.

This enrolment will be undertaken through an online centralised system for all three services with special rallies and campus interviews from recognized technical institutes such as Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and National Skill Qualifications Framework, among others. Enrolment will be based on an ‘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 Armed Forces as applicable to respective categories/trades. The educational qualification for Agniveers will vary for enrolment in various categories. For example for entry into general Duty (GD) soldier, the educational qualification is Class 10.

The scheme really looks really sensible, as it paves the training ground for future Junior Officers in the Armed Forces. Secondly, Agniveers who are not selected for permanent commission in the Armed Forces will also get enough skills and training with which they will be in a position to get the work in the open market.

Waiting for your views on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

16^th June 2022