AGNIPATH scheme

About the scheme–

• AGNIPATH allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years.
• Under the new scheme, 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. 
• The move will make the permanent force levels much leaner for the over 13-lakh strong armed forces in the country.
• This will, in turn, considerably reduce the defence pension bill, which has been a major concern for governments for many years.
• The youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers.
• Once selected, the aspirants will go through training for six months and then will be deployed for three and a half years.
• The new system is only for personnel below officer ranks (those who do not join the forces as commissioned officers).
• It is envisaged that the average age profile of Indian Armed forces would come down by about 4-5 years by implementation of this scheme. 
• The policy, which comes into immediate effect, will hereafter govern the enrolment for the three services.
• The average age in the forces is 32 years today, which will go down to 26 in six to seven years, the scheme envisions.

Benefits to the Agniveers-

• Agniveers will be given an attractive customised monthly package along with Risk and Hardship allowances as applicable in the three services. 
• On completion of the engagement period of four years, Agniveers will be paid one time ‘SevaNidhi’ package of approximately Rs 11.71 lakh which shall comprise their contribution including accrued interest thereon and matching contribution from the Government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution including interest.
• The ‘Seva Nidhi’ will be exempt from Income Tax. There shall be no entitlement to gratuity and pensionary benefits. 
• They will be provided non-contributory Life Insurance Cover of Rs 48 lakh for the duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces.
• Post this stint of four years, the Agniveers will be infused into the civil society where they can contribute immensely towards the nation building process. 
• The skills gained by each Agniveer will be recognised in a certificate to form part of his unique resume. 
• 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 and would be governed by the existing terms and conditions of service of Junior Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks in Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force and that of Non Combatant enrolled in the Indian Air Force, as amended from time-to-time.

Terms & Conditions-

• Under the AGNIPATH scheme, the Agniveers would form a distinct rank in the Armed Forces, different from any other existing ranks. 
• Upon the completion of four years of service, based on organisational requirement 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 centralised manner based on objective criteria including performance during their four-year engagement period and up to 25% of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in regular cadre of the Armed Forces. 
• The selection will be the exclusive jurisdiction of the Armed Forces. 
• Enrolment will be undertaken through an online centralised system for all three services with specialised rallies and campus interviews from recognised technical institutes such as Industrial Training Institutes and National Skills Qualifications Framework, among others. 
• Enrolment will be based on ‘All India All Class’ basis and the eligible age will be in range from 17.5 to 21 years. 
• They will meet the medical eligibility conditions laid down for enrolment in the armed forces as applicable to respective categories/trades. 
• The educational qualification for Agniveers will remain in vogue for enrollment in various categories. {For example: For entry into General Duty (GD) soldier, the educational qualification is Class 10).