On 14 June 2022, the central government launched the Agnipath scheme which is a recruitment of soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of the armed forces. With this scheme, the central government hopes to fulfill the dream of an individual to join the armed forces and serve the nation. Various other reasons for the government to start this scheme were to reduce salaries and defence pension bill, to increase employment opportunities and higher skilled work force and to provide a youthful profile to the armed forces. One of the important reasons was also to have a large number of military trained and disciplined people in the society. The soldiers recruited through this scheme will be known as ‘AGNIVEERS’.
Under this scheme 45,000 to 50,000 youth aged between 17.5 to 21 years will be recruited annually for 4 years in the Navy, Air force & Armed forces. Enrollment will be based on an ‘All India All Class’ basis. The enrolment of the Agniveers to all the three services will be through a centralized online system, with special rallies and campus interviews at recognized technical institutes such as the National skills Qualifications framework, Industrial Training Institutes. In each batch, 25% of Engineers will be chosen for the permanent cadre in the armed services. The remaining 75% of Agniveers will receive an amount of Rs. 11.71 lakh as Seva Nidhi Package.
The salary per month of the Agniveers is Rs. 30,000 in 1st year, Rs. 33,00 in 2nd year, Rs. 36,500 in 3rd year and Rs. 40,000 in 4th year but the Agniveers contribution to Seva Nidhi will be 30% which means 30% will be deducted from the initial salary which means in hand they will receive 21,000 in first year, 23,100 in second year, 25,580 in third year and 28,000 in fourth year.
The Agniveers will also receive a non-contributory insurance cover of Rs. 48 lakh during the period.
Every demolished AGNIVEER will have a 10% reservation in CAPFs, Assam Rifle recruitment. They are also provided with the Upper age relaxation beyond the prescribed age limit for AGNIVEERS in CAPF & Assam Rifles. Other benefits include:
- Priority in bank loan schemes in case they want to be entrepreneurs.
- Many other states including Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have stated that agniveers will be given priority in the recruitment of state police officers.
- Some major companies and sectors like IT, Engineering Security, etc. have also announced that they will prefer hiring skilled, trained, and disciplined Agniveers.
- It also stated that all those wishing to study further class 12 equivalent certificate and Bridging Course of choice for further studies.
The Upper age limit for recruitment has also increased only for 2022 under the Agnipath scheme to 23 years from 21 years for the first year of the scheme for enrolment of soldiers into the Army, Navy and Air Force.
AIM OF THE SCHEME
- One of the important aims of the scheme is to make the army a future-ready fighting force with the youth of the nation capable of meeting multiple challenges.
- To strengthen the national security
- To provide the youth of the nation to serve the country.
- To cut down salary and pension bills.
- To harness the youth potential and make them future ready soldiers.
- They will be provided with certificates and bridge courses that will help in creating future entrepreneurs.
CRITICISM OF THE SCHEMES
After the announcement of this scheme, there were several protests held throughout the country in several states. Students from throughout the country held riots, burned trains, and caused severe damage to the public as well as private properties. This scheme is criticized on a number of basis such as:
- The service period that is 4 years is very less and it will provide employment for just 4 years. T
- he real skills cannot be acquired in such a short period and what about those who want to serve the nation for longer terms.
- only 25% of the candidates will be taken permanently and the rest 75% will again be unemployed.
- No pension will be given to these candidates that will be appointed during this scheme.
- The candidates that will be selected will only be selected for non-commissioned ranks like Naik, Sepoy, and Lance Naik.
- The recruitment is only for candidates of 17.5 – 23 years of age.
- After 4 years is over, there will be no job security.
- Unlike other governments’ jobs no extra basic benefits will be provided to the candidates.
- The salary will also be deducted for the Seva Nidhi contribution.
With the provided advantages and disadvantages of this AGNIPATH scheme it is way forward for a reform in the Defence policy. This schemes aims to increase employment opportunities with skills and training, to give a better opportunity to the youth who choose to serve the nation and it hopes to have a positive impact on the human resouces management of armed forces and for the country’s development.
Sources: https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/agnipath-defence-policy-reforms/
You must be logged in to post a comment.