AGNEEPATH SCHEME

Everyone says that youths are the future of the nation but what about their
future? What is meant by making the future of the country when the future of its
youths is not secured? A secure and fruitful future comes with good employment.
Today we’ll discuss about the Agneepath Scheme.

What is Agneepath Scheme?

The scheme Agneepath was passed on May 2022 by Union Cabinet which was
later announced by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 14 June 2022. Under
the Agneepath scheme, youths will be recruited for the Indian Armed Forces.
They can be selected for the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force according to their
qualification. This scheme aimed to give more youth faces to the Indian Army.
About 46,000 candidates will be recruited every year under this scheme.
However, only candidates belonging to the age groups 17.5 to 23 will be eligible
to apply for this Agnipath Yojana.

The soldiers selected for this scheme will be given a special name known as
“Agniveers”. The service period of Agniveers will be only 4 years including 6
months of training. After 4 years, only 25% of soldiers will be kept as permanent
depending on their performance while others will be sent home.

What are the merits of Agneepath scheme ?

Agniveers are expected to enjoy many benefits under this scheme.

In the first year of service, candidates will be given 30,000 per
month as their salary which will be later increased up to 40,000 by
the end of the service. However, only 70 % of the salary will be
given in hand rest of 30 % will be deducted for the “Seva Nidhi”
package. This package will remain free from taxes.

After four years of service, Agniveers will be given a “Seva Nidhi”

package of 11.71 Lakh. This is the sum of their deducted salary along
with the equal contribution of the government with interest. During
the four years of service, Agniveers will be provided life insurance
of 48 lakhs and 1 crore will be given to the family in case of death.

Apart from financial benefits, candidates can generate skills like

discipline, physical fitness, teamwork, etc. They will be awarded the
certification of their training that will be helpful in other future
aspects.

What are the demerits of Agneepath Scheme?

1. The Agneepath Scheme will provide employment to the

candidates only for 4 years.

2. Only 25% of the candidates will be made permanent after the

training period and other 75% will have to leave the job.

3. There will no pension for the candidate appointed during the

Agneepath Scheme 2022.
 4. The Agniveers will get 11 lakh only of the lump sum amount
after 4 years from the government Seva Nidhi Scheme
whereas some of the amounts in 11 lakh will be deducted from
the recruit’s salary on monthly basis.

5. The selected candidates will be recruited for the non-

commissioned ranks only such as Sepoy, Naik, and Lance Naik.

6. This recruitment is only for 17.5-23 years of candidates.

7. There is no job security as the candidates will again become

unemployed after the 4 years of service.

8. There will no extra or basic benefits will be provided to the

candidate alike the other government jobs.

Conclusion –

After the announcement of this newly proposed scheme, people in

India started presenting their views and opinions. Many people are
appreciating the scheme while others are participating in mass
protests. The news of many violent protests from all over India is
coming up. Let us see if the government is making changes to
meet the demands of the youths or if they will have to
compromise again with their career.