Agnipath Scheme : Update
The ruling-party government’s ambitious Agnipath scheme, announced in June 2022, has been facing opposition from various political parties and Armed Forces veterans.
- Ongoing concerns highlight the scheme’s impact on military recruitment and the welfare of soldiers.
- The term “Agniveer” translates to “Fire-Warriors” and is a new military rank.
- It is a scheme of recruiting army personnel below officer ranks such as soldiers, airmen, and sailors who are not commissioned officers to the Indian Armed Forces.
- They are recruited for a period of 4 years, after which, upto 25% of these recruits (called Agniveers), can join the services on a permanent commission (another 15 years), subject to merit and organisational requirements.
- At present, all sailors, airmen, and soldiers, except the technical cadre of the medical branch, are recruited to the services under this scheme.
- Candidates between the age of 17.5 years to 23 years are eligible to apply (the upper age limit was increased from 21).
- Girls under the given age limit are open for the agnipath entry, while there is no such reservation for women under this scheme.
- Pay & Benefits:
- Death on Duty: The family gets a combined sum of Rs 1 crore, which includes both the Seva Nidhi package and the soldier’s unserved salary.
- Disability: An Agniveer can receive compensation up to Rs 44 lakh depending on the severity of the disability. This amount is provided only if the disability is caused by or worsened due to military service.
- Pensions: Agniveers won’t receive a regular pension after their 4-year service, unlike soldiers in the traditional system.
- Only the 25% who get selected for permanent commission will be eligible for a pension.
