AGNIPATH
SCHEME - DEFENCE & SECURITY
News:
All stakeholders agreed
on Agnipath scheme, says Army chief
What's
in the news?
●
The Agnipath scheme for short-term
induction of soldiers was finalised after extensive consultations, army chief
General Manoj Pande said.
Agnipath
Scheme:
●
It is a short-service manpower model under which around 45,000 to 50,000
soldiers will be recruited annually.
●
Of these, 75% will leave the service in
four years. 25% will be allowed to
continue for another 15 years under permanent commission.
●
The new system is only for personnel below officer ranks (those who do not join the
forces as commissioned officers).
Objectives
of Agnipath Scheme:
●
To guzzle the armed forces ethos, courage,
commitment and teamwork in the youth.
●
To provide the proper abilities and the
qualities such as discipline, motivation, dynamism so that the youth remains a
proper asset.
●
Provide an opportunity for the youth who
are very much eager to serve the country in the uniform of a soldier.
●
To enhance the profile of the armed forces
by incorporating some of the best soldiers who can be in the front line and be
a major asset during the war.
Features:
Online
system:
●
Enrolment to all three services will be
through a centralized online system, with special rallies and campus interviews
at recognized technical institutes.
●
The recruitment standards will remain the
same, and recruitment will be done twice a year through rallies.
Age
eligibility:
●
Recruitment will be carried out on an “All India All Class” basis with the
eligibility age ranging from 17.5 to 21,
with medical and physical fitness standards in accordance with existing norms.
●
Planned intake of 46,000 young men and
women this year.
Payment:
●
The ‘Agniveers’ will receive an annual
package of ₹4.76 lakh in the first year to ₹6.92 lakh in the fourth year, apart
from risk and hardship and other allowances as applicable.
Seva
Nidhi:
●
Under the ‘Seva Nidhi’ package, they will
receive about ₹11.71 lakh, including
contribution and interest, on completion of service.
●
The recruits will have to contribute 30% of their monthly emoluments to Seva
Nidhi, with a matching contribution made by the government.
Pension:
●
There will be no entitlement to gratuity and pension benefits under the scheme.
Life
insurance:
●
They will also get a INR 48 lakh life insurance cover for the four years. In case of
death, the payout will be over INR 1 crore, including pay for the unserved
tenure.