Agneepath Scheme

Agneepath Scheme

Why in news:

• The Agnipath scheme, the intended new Gorkha connect between India and Nepal, was intriguingly not taken up by either side during recent talks between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
• Not a single Nepal-domiciled Gorkha (NDG) has been enrolled in the past three years due to the Covid pandemic and Nepal being unable to decide on the Agnipath’s terms of service that are not favoured by the famed warriors.

About the Agneepath Scheme:

• Agneepath scheme is a central government scheme launched in 2022.
• Under the scheme, Indian youth can join the Indian Army for four years and will be able to serve the country.
• This is a pan-India scheme so any Indian youth can apply for this job and join the Indian Army.

Age Limit:

• Candidates between the age of5 years to 21 yearswill be eligible for enrolling in the Agnipath scheme.

The broad objectives of the Scheme are:

• To enhance youthful profileof the Armed Forces so that they are at their fighting best at all times with increased risk taking ability.
• To attract young talentfrom the society to effectively exploit, adopt and use emerging modern technologies with enhanced technical thresholds of intake while leveraging Technical Institutions of the country.
• To provide an opportunity to the youth who may be keen to serve the Nationin uniform albeit for ashort period of time.
• To imbibe The Armed Forces ethos, cotzraye, camaraderie, commitment and teamworkin the youth.
• To provide abilities and qualities such as discipline, dynamism, motivation and work-skillsso that the youth remains an asset.

Key features of the scheme:

• It’s a Pan India merit-based recruitment system. That means anyone from anywhere in India can apply for this job.
• It’s a four-years tenure job.
• Opportunity to serve in the armed forces as Agniveers.
• Attractive monthly emoluments and handsome Seva Nidhi package.
• 100% opportunity to apply for permanent enrollment.
• Enrollment model based on Agneepath scheme.
• Based on merit organizational requirements, 25% of Agniveers selected based on a Central, transparent, rigorous system, after 4 years.
• Under this scheme, the youth will get an annual package of 4.76 lakh in the first year.
• 4th year of their serving time the annual package will be increased to 6.9 to lakh.
• After the 4 years of service, the service fund of rupees 11.7 lakh will be given to the youth.
• This money will be totally tax-free. Apart from this other risk and hardship allowance will also be available.

The scheme would be a win win situation for the Armed Forces, Nation, individuals and the society at large.

Nation:

• National Integration based in unity in diversity with equal opportunity to youth including women from all regions.
• Nation Building through empowered, disciplined & skilled youth with military ethos in civil society.

Armed Forces:

• Improved battle preparedness through transformative evolution with energetic, fitter, diverse, more trainable and resilient youth suited to the changing dynamics.
• Selection of the Best with rigorous and transparent selection process.
• Youthful Profile by optimal balance of youth & experience.
• Endeavour to Harness benefits of SKILL INDIA by induction from Tech Institutes.

Individuals:

• Opportunity for Youth to fulfil dream of joining the Armed Forces and serve the Nation.
• Imbibe military discipline, motivation, skill and physical fitness.
• Smooth integration into society with skill sets, certification and diplomas/ higher education/credits.
• Good financial package making him more stable than his civilian counterparts.
• Confident & better citizens by military training, team building, ethos & camaraderie forged over the years.
• Resume so unique that an Agniveer will stand out in the crowd.

Can the Agniveers opt for enrolment in the Permanent Cadre?

• Based on organisational requirement and policies promulgated by the Armed Forces, all Agniveers after completing their engagement period, will be offered an opportunityto apply for enrolment in the permanent cadre.
• These applications will be considered by a centralised transparent rigorous screening system which would be based on merit and demonstrated performance during service.
• Upto 25% of the Aginveerswould be selected for enrolment in the permanent Cadre as per the existing Terms and Conditions.
• Selection of Agniveers for further enrolment into the Armed Forces will be the exclusive jurisdiction of the Government through laid down policies.

Syllabus: Prelims