Recently Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched Agneepath or Agniveers Recruitment scheme. The step is taken to make significant changes in the appointment of the Indian Armed Forces. Under the Agneepath scheme, 46,000 soldiers will be appointed to the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and India Air Force.

According to Rajnath Singh, the Agnipath recruitment scheme is a transformative initiative aimed at appointing more deserving candidates as part of the Indian armed force. The step has been accepted post detailed discussions with the armed forces to make a paradigm shift.

What is Agnipath Scheme?

Agnipath or Agneepath is a recruitment scheme to appoint the Indian youth who wants to join the Armed Forces. Initially, the appointment will be made for a period of 4 years. During these 4 years, the candidates will be trained by the armed forces in their respective fields. The recruits appointed under the scheme would be named Agniveers.

Under this scheme, a total of 46000 soldiers would be appointed every year. Of these, 25% will be for an additional tenure of 15 years for permanent commission. While, the others would leave and will be provided with a Seva Nidhi – a corpus of the one-time amount of Rs. 11.71 lakh plus interest. This amount would be tax-free and can be used by the individual for fulfilling their dreams.

The individuals, selected for enrolment in the Armed Forces as regular cadre have to serve for a further engagement period of at least 15 years and would be governed by the existing terms and conditions of service.

Eligibility Criteria: Age, Educational Qualification, and other details

The armed forces are expected to soon conduct Recruitment rallies at various campuses and special rallys. The mode of application would be through an online centralised system for all three services. Specialized rallies and campus interviews will be conducted at prestigious technical institutes like Industrial Training Institutes and National Skills Qualifications Framework.

According to the official sources, the first batch of Agniveers will be appointed in the recruitment drive for 2023.

Age limit:

The candidates will be selected based on an ‘All India All Class’ basis and the candidates must be aged between 17.5 to 21 years.

Educational Qualification:

The educational qualification for Agniveers varies based on the categories they are applying for.

Other Requirements:

The candidates must meet the minimum medical eligibility conditions laid down for enrolment in the armed forces as applicable to respective categories/trades.

Category	Education	Age
Soldier General Duty	SSLC/Matric with minimum 45% marks in aggregate. No%required if have higher qualification.	17.5 – 21 Years
Soldier Technical	10+2/Intermediate exam passed in Science with Physics, Chemistry, Maths and English. Now eight age for higher qualification.	17.5 – 21 Years
SoldierClerk / StoreKeeper Technical	10+2/Intermediate exam passed in any stream (Arts, Commerce, Science)with 50% marks in aggregate and min40% in each subject. Weight age for higher qualification.	17.5 – 21 Years
Soldier Nursing Assistant	10+2/Intermediate exam passed in Science with Physics, Chemistry, Biologyand English with min 50% mark sin aggregate and min40% in each subject. Now eight age for higher qualification.	17.5 – 21 Years
Soldier Trades man		17.5 – 21 Years
(i)GeneralDuties	Non Matric	17.5 – 21 Years
(ii)SpecifiedDuties	Non Matric	17.5 – 21 Years

Advantages of the Agniveers under Agneepath Scheme: Check Salary, and Other Details

The Agniveers shortlisted under this scheme will get an attractive customized monthly package along with Risk and Hardship allowances as applicable in the three services. Post the completion of the engagement period of four years, Agniveers will get one time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package which comprises their dedication including accrued interest thereon and matching contributions from the Government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution including interest.

The ‘Seva Nidhi’ will be tax exempted. There will be no entitlement to gratuity and pensionary benefits granted. The Agniveers will be offered non-contributory Life Insurance Cover worth Rs 48 lakhs for the duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces.

Year	Customised Package (Monthly)	In Hand (70%)	Contribution to Agniveer Corpus Fund (30%)	Contribution to corpus fund by GoI
1st Year	30000	21000	9000	9000
2nd Year	33000	23100	9900	9900
3rd Year	36500	25580	10950	10950
4th Year	40000	28000	12000	12000
Total contribution in Agniveer Corpus Fund (after 4 years)			Rs 5.02 Lakh	Rs 5.02 Lakh

Note: On exit after 4 years, Agniveers will get Rs 11.71 Lakh as Seva Nidhi Package (Including, interest accumulated on the above amount, the applicable interest rates will also be paid)

A quick Glance at Agnipath Scheme

• The ‘Seva Nidhi’ will Income Tax exempted.
• There will be no entitlement to gratuity and pensionary benefits.
• Agniveers provides a non-contributory Life Insurance Cover worth Rs 48 lakhs for the duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces.
• After four years, Agniveers are eligible to apply for the regular cadre.
• The Indian Army will provide permanent service to a maximum of 25% of the Agniveers of a particular batch.
• The rest of the Agniveers will be relieved.

The Agnipath scheme will be beneficial for the youth planning to foray into the Indian Armed Forces and will reduce the unemployment level as well.

With Agniveers churning out every four years, the Indian forces are all set to motivate young talent to be a part of this profession. The purpose of introducing this scheme is to appoint young talent who are disciplined and motivated in their work. The candidates will be trained in technologies and also improve their health levels. This scheme focuses on increasing employment opportunities with new skills in different sectors.

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