CENTRE UNVEILS ‘AGNIPATH ARMY RECRUITMENT SCHEME 2022’ FOR RADICAL CHANGE IN RECRUITMENT OF SOLDIERS
Central government has unveiled the new scheme for army recruitment – Agnipath army recruitment scheme 2022. The Agnipath scheme is going to bring a radical change in the recruitment process of army personnel. Under the scheme, army personnel’s would be recruited for duration of 4 years. The duration of 4 years would include the training period also.
The recruited personnel’s would receive a salary of Rs. 30,000 per month, which can go up to Rs. 45,000 per month in the fourth year. They would be eligible for allowances also.
WHO ARE AGNIVEERS UNDER AGNIPATH ARMY RECRUITMENT SCHEME 2022
Agnipath scheme is a Pan India merit- based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers , airmen and sailors. All those recruited under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme will be called ‘Agniveers’. They would be recruited for 4 years.
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WHAT AFTER 4 YEARS?
Agniveers will be enrolled for service duration of 4 years, which will include training period also. After 4 years, only 25% of the Agniveers will be retained or re-enlisted in the regular cadre, based on merit, willingness and medical fitness. If an Agniveers is retained, then they will serve for a full term of another 15 years.
The first four years will be served under a contract and is not likely to be taken into consideration for the fixation of the final pensionary benefits.
Suppose 1000 Agniveers gets recruited under the Agniveers scheme in a particular year. Out of 1000, only 250 Agniveers (25%) will be retained and rest 750 Agniveers (75%) will be demobilized, with an exit or “Seva Nidhi” package of Rs. 11-12 lakhs, partly funded by their monthly contributions.
WHAT IS “SEVA NIDHI” PACKAGE UNDER AGNIPATH SCHEME 2022?
An Agniveer who gets appointed will receive a salary of Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 45,000 in the range of his 4 years of service. However, 30% of the monthly salary would be deducted every month and the same will be transferred to Seva Nidhi Corpus fund. Also, the same amount will be contributed by Government of India and at the end of 4th year the total amount will be given to Agniveer, known as Seva Nidhi Package. The package will yield Rs. 11-12 lakhs to the Agniveer. The amount would be tax free .
WHO ARE ELIGIBLE UNDER AGNIPATH SCHEME?
- Any candidate who falls in the age limit of 17.5 years to 21 years are eligible for the scheme.
- Candidates will be recruited through centralized transparent screening assessment.
- 100% candidate can apply on volunteer basis to enroll in regular cadre after 4 years i.e. Agniveers on voluntary basis may continue to serve in the Army.
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WHAT IF AN AGNIVEER ACHIEVES MARTYRDOM WITHIN 4 YEARS?
- For all Agniveers who achieve martyrdom, full payment of the unserved service years will be given.
- Per month salary.
- Non- contributory Life Insurance cover of Rs. 48 lakhs.
- Death compensation
- Additional Ex Gratia of Rs. 44 lakhs for death attributable to service.
- Pay for unserved portion up to 4 years including ‘Seva Nidhi’ Package.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AGNIPATH ARMY RECRUITMENT SCHEME ?
Defense Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh, while unveiling the Agnipath Scheme said, the scheme aims to transform the armed forces. He said, “under the scheme, Indian youngsters will be provided opportunity to serve in armed forces as “Agniveer”. He further added that the Agnipath scheme has been brought to strengthen India’s security. Under the scheme, government is trying to provide youthful profile to armed forces through rollout of Agnipath recruitment scheme.
Lieutenant General Anil Puri while elaborating on the scheme said that Agniveers would be a part of the future- rarely soldier. He also said that Agniveer would be India’s young Protector. After working in Indian Army for 4 years, an Agniveer’s resume or biodata will be very unique. He will stand out in the crowd.
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CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF AGNIPATH ARMY RECRUITMENT SCHEME SCHEME 2002
In the Military arena , one of the biggest challenge which India confronts is Military modernization. Government of India finds it difficult to modernize the Indian Military because a significant portion of India’s defense budget is consumed by manpower themselves. For Example- In 2020, India’s defense budget stood at around $72.9 billion, and out of it 56% i.e., $38 billion was spent as revenue expenditure only (maintaining military personnel’s- Salary/Pension etc.) For capital expenditure approximately $7 billion was allotted which is used for procurement of modern ornaments and spares.
It can be clearly understood that $7 billion does not buy much military modernization these days. So, governments’ view is to go for cost cutting and then transfer sufficient funds for capital expenditure in order to modernize the Indian Army. Well Prima facie, this sounds goods, but at the same time the critiques of Agnipath scheme are raising concern that the scheme will reduce the quality military personnel in the army. It is being argued that a duration of 4 years’ service is not sufficient to take key decisions in the battle field. So, these are the few concerns relating to Agnipath Scheme 2022