AGNIPATH SCHEME

12.06.2024

AGNIPATH SCHEME

Why in the news?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government’s ambitious Agnipath scheme has faced opposition, from political parties and Armed Forces veterans alike, since it was announced in June 2022.Now, with the BJP short of a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha, crucial alliance partners too have called for a review of the contentious scheme.

Key Point

• In fact, a key plank in INDIA bloc’s campaign in states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan where the Armed Forces are a sought after employer was the opposition to this scheme for military recruitment. And the BJP’s performance in these states indicates that the pitch had some resonance on the ground.

What is the Agnipath scheme?

• It was aimed at recruiting personnel below officer ranks, soldiers, airmen, and sailors who are not commissioned officers to the Indian Armed Forces for a period of four years.
• At the end of this tenure, upto 25% of these recruits, the so called ‘Agniveers’, can join the services on a permanent commission (another 15 years), subject to merit and organizational requirements.

• Aspirants between the ages of 17.5 years and 23 years are eligible to apply (the upper age limit was increased from 21), and the recruitment standards remain the same as with regular service, prior to Agnipath.
• At present, all sailors, airmen, and soldiers, except the technical cadre of the medical branch, are recruited to the services under the scheme, which has also opened doors for the recruitment of women to the IAF and the Navy.
• The scheme was announced in June 2022, after military recruitment was paused for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

How are Agniveers compensated?

• Agniveers draw a basic salary of Rs 30,000-Rs 40,000 per month, and are entitled to other risk and hardship allowances.
• They contribute 30% of their monthly emoluments to the Seva Nidhi fund, which the government matches. At the end of their service, they receive approximately Rs 11.71 lakhs (with interest) as a lump sum severance package from this fund, which is exempt from income tax.
• If they die on duty, their family receives a lump sum of Rs 1 crore (including the Seva Nidhi package), and full pay for the period which the soldier could not serve. In case of disability, an Agniveer can receive upto Rs 44 lakh as compensation, depending on the percentage of disability suffered which is attributed to, or aggravated by military service.

How is Agnipath different from regular military service?

• Unlike soldiers in regular service, Agniveers do not draw pensions post-retirement. Only the 25% of Agniveers who get absorbed into the forces after four years will receive pensionary benefits, although the initial four years of service will not be considered for these.
• This is the biggest change that Agnipath has brought in. Not only does the scheme help reduce the Armed Forces’ permanent force levels, this in turn will considerably cut the defense pension bill, which has been a major concern for governments for many years.

Why was Agnipath introduced?

• Apart from the unsaid intention of reducing the Armed Forces’ wage and pension bill, the government has argued that the scheme will ensure the forces’ “youthful profile”.
• At the time the scheme was brought in, the average age in the Armed Forces was 32 years, which Agnipath will bring down to 26 years, if implemented.
• Moreover, the government has argued that after the completion of their service, Agniveers would contribute to the civil society “through their education, skill, discipline and other qualities' '.

Why has Agnipath seen such strong opposition?

• Critics say that the scheme creates a “lesser” cadre of soldiers, who work on the same tasks as those with full commission, but with lesser pay, benefits, and prospects.
• On the ground, this disparity has caused significant disaffection among those who see military recruitment as a path to economic stability and upward mobility.

                                                            Source: Indian Express

Ques :- With reference to the AGNIPATH SCHEME, consider the following statements

1.The scheme was announced in June 2022.

2.It was aimed at recruiting personnel below officer ranks, soldiers, airmen, and sailors who are not commissioned officers to the Indian Armed Forces for a period of four years.

3.Aspirants between the ages of 17.5 years and 22 years are eligible to apply.

How many of the statements given above are  correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer B