IN RECENT YEARS, the Narendra Modi gov eminent has given special attention to defence and national security by taking meaningful steps to enable the Indian armed forces to evolve rapidly into a modern fighting force with cutting-edge technologies.
UNVEILING AGNIPATH, a "major defence policy reform" for the recruitment of soldiers, sailors, and airmen into the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, the government Tuesday announced that personnel recruited under the scheme on a short-term contractual basis will be called ‘Agniveers’, 17.5 to 21 years old, based on “All India All Class” from recognized technical institutes through a centralized online system with specialized rallies and campus interviews. Medical eligibility and rigorous training standards will be maintained and their selection will be the exclusive domain of the armed forces. The best among the Agniveers, up to 25 percent in each batch, will be selected for regular cadre to serve for another minimum of 15 years, based on a transparent and merit-based assessment.
The scheme is both generous and attractive in terms of emoluments and pay-outs. Upon release from service, the Agniveers will revert to civil society as holders of a special qualifying certificate and become the backbone of confident and disciplined human resources available across the country. Their integration into society and livelihood, including placement in alternative jobs, will be facilitated, through credits for higher education. Apart from drawing a composite package of Rs 40,000 per month in the fourth year, they will each get Rs 11.71 lakh through the ‘Seva Nidhi’ package.
This Scheme will create “a much more youthful and technically adept war fighting force by ensuring a fine balance between youthful and experienced personnel in the armed forces. The Agneepath scheme had been earlier proposed as Tour of Duty - is expected to make the permanent force levels leaner in the over 13-lakh strong armed forces.
How Does this benefit the Armed Forces?
The scheme will lead to "a much more youthful and technically adept" fighting force. Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Lt Gen Anil Puri said that at the moment the average age of a troop across the forces is 32. Over seven years, this will come down to 26 years. The scheme will also significantly reduce the defence pension burden. With a huge veteran population, the government ends up paying over Rs 1 lakh crore annually in defence pensions this year. The government allocated Rs 1.2 lakh crore for defence pensions this year, out of a total defence budget of Rs 5.25 lakh crore.
This scheme is only applicable to personnel below officer ranks, and the officers are paid much higher pensions compared to troops. But the total number of officers is considerably lower than the troops, and they serve longer before drawing a pension.
Shield Defence Academy, the best Defence Institute in Lucknow appraises the path-breaking initiative of the Government and heartily congratulates all the motivated youths out there who wish to don the uniform and serve the nation for short periods.
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