The Cabinet Committee on Security on Tuesday took a historic decision by approving transformative scheme of 'Agnipath'.
Under this scheme, Indian youth would be granted an opportunity to get inducted into the Armed services, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Official sources said, the scheme will give opportunity to youths to serve the nation for a short or long duration in the Indian Defence Forces by being ‘Bharat Ke Agniveer.’ Around 46,000 Agniveers to be recruited this year.
"Under the 'Agnipath' scheme, efforts are to create a youthful profile of the Armed forces. It would help to train them for new technologies & also improve their health levels. This scheme will increase employment opportunities with new skills in different sectors," said Singh adding that the 'Agniveers' will be given a good pay package and an exit retirement package after a service of 4 years.
Senior officials said that with today's education and skill, the youth can adapt quickly to latest technology. Agnipath's aim is to train and expose the youth to opportunities to help them serve the nation through the Armed Forces.
Benefits to the Agniveers
Agniveers will be given an attractive customised monthly package along with Risk and Hardship allowances as applicable in the three services. On completion of the engagement period of four years, Agniveers will be paid one time ‘SevaNidhi’ package which shall comprise their contribution including accrued interest thereon and matching contribution from the Government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution including interest as indicated below:
The ‘Seva Nidhi’ will be exempt from Income Tax. There shall be no entitlement to gratuity and pensionary benefits. Agniveers will be provided non-contributory Life Insurance Cover of Rs 48 lakh for the duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces.
Moreover, the ‘Seva Nidhi’ of approximately Rs 11.71 lakh would be paid the Agniveer to pursue his/her future dreams without the financial pressure, which is normally the case for young people from the financially deprived strata of society.
The individuals, selected for enrolment in the Armed Forces as regular cadre, would be required to serve for a further engagement period of minimum 15 years and would be governed by the existing terms and conditions of service of Junior Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks in Indian Army and their equivalent in Indian Navy and Indian Air Force and that of Non Combatant enrolled in the Indian Air Force, as amended from time-to-time.
(With PIB Inputs)