Defence Recruitment News: 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.
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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.
Latest Update: 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.
Eligibility for Agnipath Scheme
Age Limit
Candidates between the age of 17.5 years to 21 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.
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.