Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, June 14: The Centre announced on Tuesday, a new short-term recruitment policy for Indian teenagers interested in serving in the armed forces. The Agnipath programme will allow young people aged 17.5 to 21 to join any of the three services as ‘agniveers’ for a four-year period.
The Agnipath recruitment scheme has been welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as a ‘transformative effort’ that will bring about significant change and provide chances for the country’s youth.
According to Singh, the Agnipath initiative will boost India’s security while also giving the Armed Forces a more youthful appearance.
“All look at the armed forces with respect and youth want to wear the uniform. The profile will be youthful. The health and fitness level be quite better. A higher skilled force will be available. Agniveer will be given a good package, along and with an exit package,” he said while addressing a joint press conference with the three service chiefs.
The Agnipath initiative, according to Army Chief of Staff General Manoj Pande, intends to transform the Army into a future-ready fighting force capable of handling numerous challenges across the broad spectrum of conflict. He noted that the Army’s technical barrier will be raised by recruiting Agniveers from IIT and other technical colleges.
Notably, soldiers between the ages of 17.5 and 21 would be recruited for a pay of Rs 30,000-40,000. The recruitment scheme is open to women also.
Agniveers must meet the medical requirements for enlistment in the armed forces as they apply to their particular categories/trades. Agniveers will be granted an appealing personalised monthly package, as well as risk and hardship allowances as applicable in the three services, according to an official release.
