Recently, the Government of India has declared the Agnipath Scheme for the recruitment of youth in the Indian Armed Forces. Ever since, there have been a lot of speculations and confusion about the newly launched scheme and we are witnessing a lot of protest from various groups of our society. However, the scheme initiated by the Indian govt. is also receiving positive reviews from many industry stalwarts and socialists who are certain about the Benefits of Agniveers Scheme 2022 and expressed their optimism over the success of this scheme. The Higher Education Review tries to understand the Details of Agniveer scheme better and analyses the opportunities provides to the students in building their career process. But first, let us know more about the Agnipath Recruitment Scheme through which these Agniveers will be recruited.

Agnipath Recruitment Scheme

Agnipath Recruitment Scheme is a new HR Management scheme for the Indian Armed Forces and the candidates recruited via this scheme will be called Agniveers. Once the candidates sign up for this scheme, they will be governed under the Acts of the respective Armed Forces, Army, Navy and Air Force. They will also be awarded with a distinctive rank in the respective Armed Forces which will be unique from the existing ranks. To give consent about joining the armed forces, every Agniveer will be required to sign documents accepting the terms and conditions of the Agnipath Scheme and if the Agniveer is under the age of 18 years during the time of enrolment, then the parents or guardian will sign the document.

The recruitment under the Agnipath scheme will be initially valid for four years. After that, according to the necessities and policies of the respective Armed Forces, up to 25% of Agniveers from every particular batch will be offered permanent employment as regular corps at the armed forces based on their performance during their four-year engagement period. The remaining 75% of Agniveers will return to society and try their luck at other industry verticals where they will be provided with preferences by the govt because of their serving tenure as Agniveers.

Benefits

Agniveers will be bestowed with an attractive customised monthly package along with Risk and Hardship allowances as applicable in the three services. On completion of their engagement period of four years, Agniveers will be paid one time via ‘Seva Nidhi’ package which shall comprise their contribution including accrued interest thereon. The ‘Seva Nidhi’ will be exempt from Income tax and at the same time, will not be entitled to gratuity and pensionary benefits. For the duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces, Agniveers will be provided with non-contributory Life Insurance Cover of Rs 48 lakhs.

Skills

During their tenure of service to the nation, the Agniveers will be trained to acquire various military skills and experience, discipline, physical fitness, leadership qualities, courage and patriotism. After their duration of four years is over, the Agniveers will join the civil society where they can contribute immensely towards the nation building process. The skills acquired by each Agniveer will be recognised in a certificate and they can mention it in their resume.

Personality Development

After becoming Agniveers, students will be mature and self-disciplined with the awareness to become better version of himself/herself both professionally as also personally. The opportunities that will open up for the progress of Agniveers in the civil world after would certainly be a big advantage towards the personal development and nation building. Moreover, the Seva Nidhi will help the Agniveers to pursue their future dreams without the financial pressure, which is normally the case for young people from the economically weaker section of society.