Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, June 18: Following widespread demonstrations against the Agnipath scheme, the central government of India on Saturday declared a 10% reservation for Agniveers in the recruitment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the Assam Rifles.
The Ministry of Home Affairs also decided to grant a three-year age relaxation to Agniveers in the CAPFs and Assam Rifles who are between the ages of 17.5 and 21. Notably, the initial batch of recruits will be given a five-year extension on the maximum age limit.
The MHA also decides to give 3 years age relaxation beyond the prescribed upper age limit to Agniveers for recruitment in CAPFs & Assam Rifles. Further, for the first batch of Agniveer, the age relaxation will be for 5 years beyond the prescribed upper age limit.
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) June 18, 2022
The Agnipath short-term recruitment scheme for the armed services was launched by the Centre on Tuesday, June 14. The plan, which is intended to be a reformative step, attempts to infuse more young blood into the three services.
The Agnipath scheme will allow young people aged 17.5 to 21 to be inducted into one of the Army’s three services as “agniveers” for a four-year period.
Since Wednesday, June 15, protests against Agnipath have erupted in a number of states. During violent demonstrations by candidates, the central government increased the upper age limit for the scheme from 21 to 23 years in a one-time waiver.
Defence job candidates have expressed concern over their next step, as just 25% of soldiers recruited through the scheme will be kept to complete a full term after four years. The youth who were recruited through the Agnipath initiative but were not integrated would be released from their obligations without receiving pension benefits.
Those who are against the Agnipath recruitment plan are calling for a reversal, citing concerns about the duration of service, the lack of pension arrangements for those released early, and the 17.5 to 21-year age restriction, which has rendered many of them ineligible.
