What is Agnipath Scheme: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14th June 2022 approved the transformative Agnipath scheme for the recruitment of youth in the Indian Armed Forces who after induction will be referred to as Agniveers. The Agnipath Scheme is a major defence policy reform in the Human Resource Policy of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The Agnipath scheme aims at providing an opportunity to the patriotic and motivated youth with the ‘Josh’ and ‘Jazba’ to join the Armed Forces for a period of 4-years thereby infusing a transformational shift toward a more tech-savvy, youthful, and dynamic Armed Forces. The implementation of the scheme is expected to bring down the average age profile of the Indian Armed Forces by about 4 to 5 years.
Agnipath Scheme: Latest Updates
Indian Navy Agnipath Recruitment 2022 Registration to begin from 1st July
Indian Navy will be releasing the official detailed notification PDF for the recruitment of Agniveers through the Indian Navy Agnipath Recruitment 2022 where Agniveers will be recruited for 4 years as Agniveer (SSR) and Agniveer (MR). Online registration is mandatory for Indian Navy Agnipath Recruitment 2022. Indian Navy will be releasing the official notification PDF in July 2022.
Indian Air Force Agnipath Recruitment 2022 Registration Begins on 24th June
Indian Air Force has released the notification for the recruitment of eligible male candidates in the Agniveer Vayu Intake 01/2022 batch under the Indian Army Agnipath Recruitment 2022 where Agniveers will be recruited for 4 years. Online applications are invited from Unmarried Male Indian Citizens. Online registration is mandatory for Indian Air Force Agnipath Recruitment 2022 which is expected to begin from 24th June 2022 to 5th July 2022.
Indian Army Agnipath Recruitment 2022 Registration Begins: Check Details
Indian Army has released the notification for the recruitment of Agniveers through the Indian Army Agnipath Recruitment 2022 where Agniveers will be recruited for 4 years as Agniveer General Duty, Agniveer Technical, Agniveer Technical (Aviation/Ammunition Examiner), Agniveer Clerk/ Storekeeper Technical, Agniveer Tradesman 10th Pass and Agniveer Tradesman 8th Pass.
Govt raises upper age limit for Agniveers under Agnipath scheme
The upper age limit for the recruitment of Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme into the Armed Forces has been revised and increased to 23 years from 21 years for the year 2022 amid the protests. Defence Ministry said that the one-time waiver in the upper age limit has been granted as no recruitment have taken in place in last two years.
The Government has decided that a one-time waiver shall be granted for the proposed recruitment cycle for 2022.
— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 16, 2022
Accordingly, the upper age limit for the recruitment process for Agnipath scheme for 2022 is increased to 23 years.
NIOS to introduce special programme for Agniveers
In a bid to support the Agnipath Scheme, the National Institute of Open Schooling will be launching a special programme for Agniveers who are class X pass to obtain a class XII pass certificate. The customised programme courses by NIOS will be crafted in consultation with the Defence authorities of India so they will be relevant to the area of service of Agniveers.
Welcome the forward-looking initiative of @DselEduMinistry to institute a special programme in consultation with @DefenceMinIndia for enabling 10th pass #Agniveers to further their education and obtain a 12th pass certificate through @niostwit.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 16, 2022
Education Ministry to launch special 3-year skill-based Bachelor degree for Agniveers
The Ministry of Education on 15th June 2022 announced that a special 3-year skill-based bachelor's degree programme for serving defence personnel that will recognize the skill training imparted to the Agniveers during their tenure in the Armed Forces.
UGC and IGNOU are working together to provide recognition for the skills acquired by Agniveers. In addition, once the Digital University is established, Agniveers will have the opportunity to do courses in emerging areas. This will make them future ready. pic.twitter.com/P3ONNWo8BA
— Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) June 15, 2022
Agniveers to get priority in recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles
The Ministry of Home Affairs on 15th June 2022 announced that Agniveers who complete 4-years of service successfully in the Armed Forces under the Agnipath Scheme shall be given priority under the recruitment drives in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles.
‘अग्निपथ योजना’ युवाओं के उज्ज्वल भविष्य के लिए @narendramodi जी का एक दूरदर्शी व स्वागत योग्य निर्णय है।
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) June 15, 2022
इसी संदर्भ में आज गृह मंत्रालय ने इस योजना में 4 साल पूरा करने वाले अग्निवीरों को CAPFs और असम राइफल्स में भर्ती में प्राथमिकता देने का निर्णय लिया है।#BharatKeAgniveer
What is Agnipath Scheme?
Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by PM Narendra Modi, the Agnipath Scheme is a transformational recruitment scheme by the Government of India for the recruitment of Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen in the Armed Forces – Army, Navy, and Air Force respectively as Agniveers. The scheme is a step towards building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The Agnipath scheme recruitment is slated to begin in 90 days (August-September 2022) from the date of announcement of the scheme.
Who are Agniveers?
Candidates who will be recruited through the Agnipath Scheme in the Armed Forces will be referred to as Agniveers. They will be given the unique opportunity to serve their country India and contribute to nation building. The Indian government has announced to recruit 46,000 Agniveers in the Armed Forces through the Agnipath scheme.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on #AGNIPATH scheme
Addressing the Media Conference on ‘Agnipath Scheme’. Watch https://t.co/ZZ0P33RbHe
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 14, 2022
Eligibility for Agnipath Scheme
Age Limit
Candidates between the age of 17.5 years to 23 years will be eligible for enrolling in the Agnipath scheme.
Educational Qualification
Candidates will have to possess the required educational qualifications as per the service and trades they would be enrolling for under the Scheme. For example, if one is applying for the General Duty (GD), one has to have education upto Class 10 from a recognized board of the school.
Selection Process
The Agnipath scheme will have a Pan-India merit-based recruitment process that will include a centralized transparent screening assessment based on merit and performance during the service. The Agniveers will be recruited in the Armed Forces for a period of 4 years.
Training & Commissioning
During the course of 4-years of posting, the Agniveers will receive their training to enhance their qualifications and skills from the best institutions. During the service period, the Agniveers will receive various military skills. They will also be given a Skill Gained Certificate and credits for their higher education and employment purposes.
Upon completion of the 4-years of service, the scheme will have two scenarios:
(i) the Agniveers will return to the society with the aim to contribute to the nation-building process. Under the scheme, they shall receive attractive re-employment opportunities when they return to society.
OR
(ii) the Agniveers be given the opportunity to apply for Permanent Commission in the Armed Forces. Based on their performance in the 4-years of service, the scheme envisages that 25 per cent of Agniveers to be enrolled in the regular cadres of the Armed Forces. NOTE: Agniveers who are selected in the Armed Forces to serve in regular cadre will be required to serve further for a minimum of 15 years.
Agnipath Scheme Pay Perks Benefits; Image Source: Twitter/RajnathSingh
Agnipath Scheme: Pay, Perks, and Benefits to Agniveers
Agniveers upon recruitment in the Armed Forces through the Agnipath Scheme will receive an attractive monthly financial package along with Risk and Hardship allowances as applicable in all three Forces.
Monthly Package
1st Year – Rs 30,000/-
Upgradation upto Rs 40,000/- in 4th Year
Allowances
Risk & Hardship, Ration, Travel Allowances, Dress as applicable
‘Seva Nidhi’ package
Upon the completion of the 4-years of service, a one-time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package of Rs 11.71 lakhs will be paid to the Agniveers that will include their accrued interest thereon and matching contribution from the Indian Government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution including interest as mentioned below:
| Year |
Customised Package (Monthly) |
In Hand (70%) |
Contribution to Agniveer Corpus Fund (30%) |
Contribution to corpus fund by GoI |
| All figures in Rs (Monthly Contribution) |
||||
| 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 four years |
Rs 5.02 Lakh |
Rs 5.02 Lakh |
||
| Exit After 4 Year |
Rs 11.71 Lakh as Seva Nidhi Package (Including, interest accumulated on the above amount as per the applicable interest rates would also be paid) |
|||
Death Compensation
(i) Non-contributory life insurance cover of Rs 48 lakhs
(ii) Additional Ex-Gratia of Rs 44 Lakhs for death attributable to service
(iii) Pay for unserved portion upto 4 years including ‘Seva Nidhi’ component
Disability Compensation
(i) Compensation based on % disability laid down by medical authorities
(ii) One-time ex-gratia of Rs 44/25/15 lakhs for 100 per cent/75 per cent/ 50 per cent disability respectively.
