The Agnipath Recruitment scheme

Source: The Hindu 

Context:

The government recently launched Agnipath Recruitment scheme in order to take a step that promises radical changes in recruitment for the Indian Armed Forces.

About:

About the Scheme:

• Agnipath is a recruitment scheme for the Indian youth who wish to join the Armed Forces.
• The entry would be done for a period of 4 years
• During these 4 years, the recruits would be trained by the armed forces in the skills required.
• Recruits hired under the scheme would be called ‘Agniveers’.
• A total of 46000 soldiers would be recruited every year.
• Of these, about 25% would be retained for an additional tenure of 15 years for permanent commission.
• The others would be allowed to leave and given a Seva Nidhi – a corpus of one time amount of 11.71 lakh plus interest. 
• This amount would be tax free and can be used by the individual to further their dreams.
• 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.
• They would be governed by the existing terms and conditions of service of Junior Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks in all three services.

What is Tour of Duty?

For military personnel, a tour of duty is usually a period of time spent in combat or in a hostile environment.

In an army, for instance, soldiers on active duty serve 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the length of their service commitment.

Objective of the Scheme:

The Agnipath recruitment scheme is a transformative initiative that will provide a youthful profile to the armed forces.

The step has been accepted after lengthy discussions with the armed forces and promises a paradigm shift.

To increase employment opportunities in the country for Youth.

Criterion to apply for the scheme:

Age Limit: Enrolment will be based on ‘All India All Class’ basis and the eligible age will be in range from 17.5 to 21 years.

Educational Qualification: The educational qualification for Agniveers will remain as in vogue for enrollment in various categories.

for entry into General Duty (GD) soldier, the educational qualification is Class 10.

Enrollment would be done through an online centralised system for all three services.

Specialised rallies and campus interviews at recognised technical institutes such as Industrial Training Institutes and National Skills Qualifications Framework would be conducted for the same.

Benefits to’ Agniveers’:

Allowances and packages: Agniveers will be given an attractive customised monthly package along with Risk and Hardship allowances as applicable in all the three services.

Pension like fund allotment: 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.

The ‘Seva Nidhi’ will be exempt from Income Tax.

Insurance cover: 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.

Benefit for India armed services:

Technologically trained youth: Indian armed services need an equipped youth in technology and a better understanding of recent devices and equipments.

Better Enthusiasm: By getting employment at an early age will make young ones to contribute to the fullest.

Saving Revenue: The non-permanent nature of this service will make government to save its revenue and invest in further development of armed forces like Technology.